February 29, 2008
Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains Implement Fire Restrictions
With little measurable precipitation at Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks over the last few months, coupled with above average temperatures, high winds and low relative humidities, the fire danger at both parks is high.
January 11, 2008
Caverns Sponsors "Underground Wonderland" eFieldTrip
Would you like to learn more about what makes caves so special? Carlsbad Caverns National Park will help you do just that with the free electronic field trip (or eFieldTrip) “Caves: An Underground Wonderland.”
December 05, 2007
Southern New Mexico Parks Featured in Moth Study
Moths may be largely overlooked by our day-oriented society, but here at Carlsbad Caverns National Park we have a special affinity for night flyers. Our bats are very special, and the animals that feed them (mostly moths and beetles) are important, too.
November 30, 2007
2007 Holiday Tours
Carlsbad Caverns National Park will once again be offering special lantern tours this holiday season in three areas of the park’s famed Carlsbad Cavern.
November 06, 2007
Caverns' Vehicles Getting Greener
With gas prices going nowhere but up, Carlsbad Caverns National Park’s fleet of white vehicles is getting a little bit greener! The park recently purchased two fully electric vehicles and a hybrid car to go along with a small hybrid SUV the park purchased last year.
October 30, 2007
Bat Migration Prompts Early Gate Closing
Now that most of the Brazilian free-tail bat colony that calls Carlsbad Cavern home for the summer is headed south to Mexico for the winter, Carlsbad Caverns National Park staff will be closing the entrance gate to the park at 6 pm., beginning on Sunday, November 4.
October 29, 2007
Caverns' Passenger Elevator Motors Out for Overhaul
After providing 31 years of reliable service, the motors that power Carlsbad Caverns National Park’s two large passenger elevators, taking park visitors down 750 feet into Carlsbad Cavern, were ready for a major overhaul. On Saturday, October 27, the motors were disassembled, removed from the elevator tower via crane, and shipped to El Paso, Texas.
October 24, 2007
Caverns Sponsors Electronic Field Trip
Do you want to learn more about the bats of Carlsbad Caverns National Park? The park is sponsoring a FREE electronic fieldtrip (or eFieldTrip) for students and teachers to learn all about them. Running now through the end of the 2007-2008 school year, the park will offer schools nationwide the opportunity to participate in the eFieldTrip “Bats! Fantastic Mammals of Flight.”
August 29, 2007
Off-Season Hours at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Superintendent John Benjamin announced today that Carlsbad Caverns National Park would return to its normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 4. Benjamin noted, “With schools back in session and much of our summer workforce already gone for the season, we need to adjust the hours we are open and our tour schedule.”
July 18, 2007
Caverns to Celebrate 50th Bat Flight Breakfast
Under the light of a nearly full moon, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will celebrate its 50th annual Bat Flight Breakfast on Saturday, July 28, from 5 to 7 a.m.
July 06, 2007
Explore the Night Skies at the Caverns
It might seem like the only thing left to explore at Carlsbad Caverns National Park would be one of the 113 known caves in the park, but on Friday, July 13, everyone is invited to explore the park’s night skies in the third annual Celebration of the Night star party.
June 26, 2007
Carlsbad Cavern Trading Selected for Award of Concession Contract
National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director Michael Snyder announced today that Carlsbad Cavern Trading, LLC, a New Mexico-based company owned by Santa Fe-based businessman Armand Ortega, has been selected to provide food and beverage, retail, kennel and vending services at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
June 18, 2007
Caverns to Remove Exotic Fish from Rattlesnake Springs
In a move to restore populations of native species, Carlsbad Caverns National Park staff, with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), will begin removing exotic or non-native fishes and amphibians from the pond at Rattlesnake Springs the last week in June.
June 14, 2007
Area Parks Welcome New Chief of Administration
The staff of Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks recently welcomed Lila Walker, a 17-year National Park Service veteran, as their new chief of administration. Walker began her new assignment at the park in May following the retirement of Rodger Waters earlier in the year.
May 31, 2007
Park Staff Locate Body of Missing Carlsbad Hiker
The body of a missing Carlsbad man was found by park staff this morning at approximately 10:50 a.m., in North Slaughter Canyon, less than one day after Carlsbad Caverns National Park staff was notified that he was missing and possibly in the park.
May 21, 2007
Summer (2007) Hours Announced at Carlsbad Caverns
With the kids out of school and families headed out on their summer vacations, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will move to its expanded schedule starting on Saturday, May 25. These expanded hours will remain in effect through Labor Day, September 3. Superintendent John Benjamin said, “With summer temperatures in the Chihuahuan Desert often exceeding 100°, Carlsbad Cavern is a great place to visit with a year-round temperature of 56°.”
May 15, 2007
Carlsbad Caverns' Operations Set to Move this Weekend
Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin announced today that although the visitor center rehabilitation project is not set to begin until mid-July, all park operations—ticket sales, bookstore, restaurant and gift shop—are moving into temporary trailers beginning Friday, May 18.
April 18, 2007
Caverns Celebrates National Park Week
From Monday, April 23 through Saturday, April 28, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will join the other 390 national park units across the country in celebrating National Park Week. This year’s theme of Learn, Explore, and Protect will be emphasized in the special programs the park is featuring during the week.
March 30, 2007
Caverns Seeks Comments on EA to Rehab the Park Wastewater System
Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin announced today that the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Rehabilitation of the Wastewater System is available for public review and comment.
January 30, 2007
Caverns Seeks Comments on Assessment to Improve Parking Lots and Walnut Canyon Road
Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin announced today that the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Reconstruction of the Visitor Center Parking Areas and Rehabilitation of Walnut Canyon Entrance Road is available for public review and comment.
January 29, 2007
NPS Soliciting Proposals on Caverns' Visitor Center Rehab
Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin announced today that the National Park Service (NPS) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) soliciting proposals from construction firms capable of renovating the park’s 50-year-old visitor center.
December 14, 2006
Caverns Seeks Comments on Cave and Karst Assessment
Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin has announced that the environmental assessment (EA) for the Carlsbad Caverns Cave and Karst Management Plan is available for public review and comment.
December 08, 2006
Caverns to Offer Rock of Ages and Lantern Tours over Holidays
Carlsbad Caverns National Park staff plan on lighting up Carlsbad Cavern this holiday season with lanterns and special winter-themed tours along the Natural Entrance route and in the Kings Palace area, as well as on a Rock of Ages tour in the cave’s Big Room.
December 04, 2006
Caverns to Premiere Geology Electronic Fieldtrip
On the heels of two other very successful electronic fieldtrips, Carlsbad Caverns National Park premiered Caves: An Underground Wonderland on December 1. In October 2005, the park premiered Bats: Fantastic Mammals of Flight; and in April 2006, the park hosted Exploring Nature’s Plumbing System: Caves of the National Parks, a Ball State University production that culminated in a live broadcast from Carlsbad Cavern with 37 million viewers.
November 13, 2006
2007 Bat Flight Breakfast and Celebration of the Night
Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin has announced the dates for the 50th annual Bat Flight Breakfast and 3rd annual Celebration of the Night. Due to a much anticipated visitor center renovation that is expected to begin in late January 2007 and last for approximately one year, the two events will be held on separate weekends in July 2007.
October 05, 2006
Caverns to Host Second Annual Art Fiesta
Are you an artist wanting to show off your artwork? Then join other area artists at the second annual Art Fiesta at Carlsbad Caverns National Park where some of the best artwork that Carlsbad and southeastern New Mexico has to offer will be on display. The art show will begin on Wednesday, November 22, and run through Sunday, November 26.
September 18, 2006
Caverns Waives Fees on National Public Lands Day
In celebration of the 13th annual National Public Lands Day, Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent John Benjamin announced that fees for self-guided tours of Carlsbad Cavern will be waived on Saturday, September 30.
August 28, 2006
Off-Season Hours at Carlsbad Caverns
Superintendent John Benjamin announced today that Carlsbad Caverns National Park would return to its normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 5. Benjamin noted, “With summer vacation over, kids headed back to school, and much of our summer workforce already gone for the season, we need to adjust our visitor center hours and tour schedule.”
August 28, 2006
Caverns Issues Prospectus for Concession Operations at Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent John Benjamin announced today that the National Park Service (NPS) has issued a prospectus for a concession contract that provides for merchandise, food and beverage, and kennel services in the park. The concession contract will be valid for ten years.
August 21, 2006
Caverns Celebrates NPS's 90th Birthday
On Friday, August 25, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will join the other 389 national park units around the country in celebrating Founder’s Day, the ninetieth birthday of the National Park Service (NPS).
August 08, 2006
Giving Back to Get Ahead: Volunteer Follows Conservation Ethic to Carlsbad Caverns
The Great Outdoors has always lured people for a variety of different reasons. More and more young people are headed to places like Carlsbad Caverns National Park because of the value they find in practicing stewardship and learning how to teach others about the importance of conserving the world’s resources.
July 13, 2006
Astronomer Alan Hale to Kick Off Caverns' Star Party
Through the efforts of Carlsbad resident Jeff Diamond and BatFest! International, astronomer Alan Hale, best known as the co-discoverer of comet Hale-Bopp, will be the opening speaker at Carlsbad Caverns National Park’s Celebration of the Night, on Friday, July 28. Dr. Hale’s presentation will focus on his current activities as the founder of the Southwest Institute for Space Research and the creator of the Earthrise Project.
June 30, 2006
Caverns' Celebration of Stars and Bats is Just Around the Corner
In less than a month, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will host a celebration of stars and bats at the 2nd annual Celebration of the Night and 49th annual Bat Flight Breakfast.
June 30, 2006
Carlsbad Caverns Selects New Chief of Interpretation and Education
Superintendent John Benjamin has named Marie Marek, a 29-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), as Chief of Interpretation and Education at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Marek, who will assume her new responsibilities on August 20, succeeds Carolyn Richard who moved on to Grand Teton National Park as their Chief of Interpretation last fall.
June 26, 2006
Caverns Hosts Basics of Cave Photography
Due to their deep shadows and contrasty nature, caves can be some of the most challenging subjects for photographers. Yet, done well, cave images can be some of the most rewarding and spectacularly beautiful pictures a photographer will ever create.
May 12, 2006
Caverns Partners with National Public Observatory for "Stars in the Parks"
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in partnership with the National Public Observatory’s “Stars in the Parks” program, will host an evening of star gazing on Saturday, May 20. John Gilkison, president of the NPO, will provide a tour of the night sky at 9:15 p.m. Afterward, a telescope will be available to view planets, clusters and galaxies. All activities will end at 10:45 p.m.
May 09, 2006
Join Carlsbad Caverns in July for Breakfast, Bats and Stars
Mark your calendars and join the staff of Carlsbad Caverns National Park for the 49th annual Bat Flight Breakfast and 2nd annual Celebration of the Night!
May 09, 2006
Summer Hours Announced at Carlsbad Caverns
With summer just around the corner, Carlsbad Caverns National Park will be switching over to its summer schedule on Saturday, May 27. These expanded hours will remain in effect through Labor Day, September 4.
May 04, 2006
Caverns to Develop Management Plan for Rattlesnake Springs
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent John Benjamin announced that the park is developing a management plan and an environmental assessment for the Rattlesnake Springs unit and is seeking public input on issues and concerns.
April 11, 2006
Carlsbad Caverns' Bat Flight Program to be Camera-Free
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent John Benjamin announced today that evening bat flight programs at the park will be camera-free.
April 11, 2006
Caverns' Electronic Field Trip Just Two Weeks Away
With just two weeks left before the April 25 live broadcast from Carlsbad Caverns National Park of the electronic field trip (EFT) Exploring Nature’s Plumbing System: Caves of the National Park System, registration is nearing the 37 million mark, including students and teachers from 49 states and seven countries.
April 06, 2006
Caverns to Unveil New Exhibit
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent John Benjamin announced today that the park would unveil The Secret Behind the Enchantment, an exhibit commemorating all of New Mexico’s national park units and the centennial of the Antiquities Act.
April 05, 2006
Volunteers Tackle Invasive Plants at Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains
Under siege by the invasive Malta star thistle, Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains National Parks have a new ally—a team of young and determined volunteers.
February 28, 2006
Caverns to Host "Stars in the Parks"
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in partnership with the National Public Observatory’s “Stars in the Parks” program, will host an evening of stargazing on Saturday, March 18.
February 06, 2006
10-year Moth Inventory Underway at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Moths are among the most important sources of food for bats, and bats are a main attraction for Carlsbad Caverns National Park—right after the caves themselves. Almost nothing has been published on the moth fauna of New Mexico, but that is about to change.
January 25, 2006
2006 Bat Flight Breakfast and Celebration of the Night
Mark your calendars! The staff of Carlsbad Caverns National Park have set aside the last weekend in July for the 49th annual Bat Flight Breakfast and 2nd annual Celebration of the Night.
