Posted in New Mexico Explore, Natural Wonders, Nature August 03, 2022 by

Explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park Like Never Before On This Virtual Tour

Stuck at home or in the office? If you’re itching to explore the Land of Enchantment but are unable to leave for an extended period of time, we have you covered. One New Mexico National Park has been made available to tour without even leaving your couch (or desk)! Check out the amazingness that is Carlsbad Caverns National Park – for free – on this amazing virtual adventure.

If you’re planning an IRL visit to this incredible national park, there’s no better time to visit than during National Park Week. Learn all about this celebration of America’s great outdoors — including fee-free days throughout the year!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico is a place unlike any other.
daveynin/Flickr
While it is best visited in person, the park will still knock your socks off in photos and videos.
That is where Google's Arts and Culture website and app come into play.
Google Arts & Culture
The website has a number of activities, games, articles, and even virtual tours that allow you to learn all you want about art and culture around the world. Among these online activities are virtual tours of five national parks, which including New Mexico's very own Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
In this virtual tour, you'll begin with a stunning video of a park ranger guiding you through the cavern, entering popular and lesser-known areas.
Google Arts & Culture
From there, you'll be led to the cavern's impressive entrance and have the opportunity to learn about their bat population.
Google Arts & Culture
Click on the bat icon and learn how bats use echolocation to find their way around the caverns and locate food.
Next, explore Carlsbad Caverns' most famous area, the Big Room.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Icons will lead you to videos, photos of secret areas, and even see what it would look like to hike through the dark caves with a park ranger as your guide. It's an incredible sight to see all those stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations towering overhead.
What kinds of views do you hope to see, in person or in the virtual tour?
John Fowler/Flickr

To access the Carlsbad Caverns virtual tour, visit the Google Arts and Culture page, Hidden Worlds of the National Parks. It also has links to four other national parks in Alaska, Hawai’i, Utah, and Florida you can “tour.”

Want to take another trip without leaving your home? You can catch a glimpse of New Mexican winters in decades past in Here Is What Winter Looked Like In New Mexico More Than 75 Years Ago.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance, New Mexico 88220, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

National Park to Visit in New Mexico

August 08, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some of the best state parks in New Mexico?  

Did you know that New Mexico is home to 35 amazing state parks? It’s true! There are a large number of state parks in New Mexico, so it’s kind of tough to know where to begin when it comes to things like which ones to visit first! Some of our favorite New Mexico state parks include hidden gems like Bottomless Lakes State Park and Cimarron Canyon State Park. We’re also hopelessly obsessed with more popular picks like the awe-inspiring White Sands National Park, Chaco Culture National Historic Park, and many more. You also can’t miss a trip to Bandelier National Monument!  

What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico?  

New Mexico is a dream come true for nature lovers. There are seemingly endless fun things to do outside in New Mexico, no matter what time of year it is. In the winter, head up to the town of Taos and indulge in one of the best ski resorts in the world. During the warmer months, visit some of the most amazing places to go camping in New Mexico, explore some of the famous hot springs of New Mexico, or check out some of our amazing geological wonders. Some of the more interesting geological wonders of New Mexico include Carlsbad Caverns, which you cannot miss.  

Where are the best hiking trails in New Mexico?  

What better way to explore the natural beauty of New Mexico than via some of its awe-inspiring hiking trails? Among our favorite hiking trails in New Mexico are special spots like the challenging (but rewarding) Williams Lake Trail, in the Wheeler Park Wilderness. It’s eight and a half miles long, hard, and oh-so-amazing. It leads up to the tallest point in New Mexico, so be ready for a climb! Another favorite hike in New Mexico is the Atalaya Mountain Trail, within Santa Fe National Forest, and the Osha Trail within Lincoln National Forest. These hikes are both much easier (and shorter) than the Williams Lake Trail, but just as lovely (and rewarding).