Caves - Underground and Underwater!
New Mexico has a surprising number
of caves throughout the desert! In fact, one-third of New Mexico
contains cave and karst lands. From paved to primitive, self-guided
explorations to fully guided and equipped tours, or maybe crawling
through small spaces or diving down into some deep water, caving
is a great adventure in New Mexico!
- www.caves.org -
The ultimate site about caves and cave clubs in New Mexico and
the rest of the country can be found at the National Speleological
Society Web site.
- Bandera
Volcano & Ice Caves
- The "Land of Fire
& Ice" on the Continental Divide in Northern New Mexico.
A MUST SEE attraction! A real experience in contrast - Bandera
Volcano is the finest example of an erupted volcano in the country.
AND them follow the lava trail that leads you into the Ice Cave,
a collapsed lava tube whose temperature never goes over 31 degrees
F. Visitor's center, trading post and more. icecaves@cia-g.com
Grants, NM (888) ICE-CAVE or (505) 783-4303
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park - One
of the world's great cave systems. Coined the 8th wonder
of the world! Looking for something different and exciting
to do? The web sites below have many links about guided and self-guided
tours in the many caves of the Carlsbad, NM area. (505) 785-2232
- Carlsbad Chamber
of Commerce site
- For the more adventurous type
- check out these guided tours!!
- El Malpais National Monument - Lava flows, lava tubes, ice caves,
sandstone bluffs, Ventana Arch and various archeological sites!
Located near Grants, NM. (505) 783-4774
- La Cueva Cave -
Legendary cave of a hermit who was found murdered! Easy to get
to. Interesting to speculate the legend! Not too far from Dripping
Springs. Call the Burea of Land Management office for more information.
Located about 10 miles east of Las Cruces, off University Avenue.
Las Cruces, NM (505) 525-4300
- Lost Cave - From bats, to film making to scientific
studies for the NASA space program, Lost Cave is a primitive
type exploration cave. Located in the Guadalupe Mountains near
Carlsbad, NM, this cave is cooperatively managed by the
Bureau of Land Management and the Pecos Valley Grotto. To learn
more and schedule an adventure, contact the Pecos Valley Grotto
at taliano@caveman.net
or (505) 877-7354.
- Sitting Bull Falls - 16 miles
of hiking trails through waterfalls, springs and a beautiful
canyon. Caving opportunities with permits. Picnic tables, grills
and restrooms. Camping in the Lincoln National Forest but not
at the falls. At Brantley Lake, north of Carlsbad, take HWY 137
about 25 miles north to Sitting Bull Falls Road. Take that road
another 6 miles. Day use area open 8am - sunset. $5 per vehicle.
Near Carlsbad, NM (505) 885-4181
- Southwest Regional Public
Lands Caves - The Bureau
of Land Management, Roswell Field office, manages undeveloped
caves on public land in the Roswell and Ruidoso region. Some
caves are gated and require free entry permits due to outstanding
natural features and sensitive bat habitat. To find out information
about cave permits call (505) 627-0272 and ask for the
cave specialist. Caves included are:
- Fort Stanton Cave National
Natural Landmark - near
Capitan, NM
- Targac's (tar'-gotch) Cave
National Natural Landmark
- northwest of Roswell, NM
- Crockett's Cave - west of Carrizozo, NM
The above three caves, and several
others, are closed to public entry from November 1 tthrough April
15, due to bat hibernation. During caving season, visitors must
provide their own caving gear, which includes for each person:
caving helmets or construction-grade hardhats, headlamps and
two additional light sources (electric preferred), knee pads,
gloves, sturdy clothes and boots, water and camera. Visitors
can request a BLM guide at no cost. (505) 627-0272
.
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