For prehistoric lore and cultural resources dating back to American Indian settlements, bring students to the Carlsbad Caverns and National Park. Whether you explore the cavern, hike the various trails, or participate in a hands-on activity focused on European exploration, each experience offers a deeper connection to the region’s rich and diverse history. The whole classroom will immerse themselves in a vibrant history and culture that provides a unique opportunity to engage with a variety of exhibits that bring the past to life.
The museum features a variety of memorabilia that educates students about its history. The park’s cultural resources showcase a rich history of human activity, spanning from prehistoric American Indian settlements to European exploration, industrial use, and the development of tourism, all of which have contributed to the area’s diverse heritage. The park features two historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places: The Cavern Historic District and the Rattlesnake Springs Historic District. The park museum, which includes archives, houses around one million cultural artifacts that are being carefully preserved.
The two self-guided tours are perfect for classrooms to engage and learn more about the cavern whilst on a journey of nature. The Big Room Trail is a 1.25-mile, relatively flat route that offers spectacular cave formations and historical features, including a rope ladder used by explorers in 1924. It’s the largest cave chamber in North America and takes about 1.5 hours to walk, with a shorter 0.6-mile shortcut available for a quicker experience. Some parts of this trail are wheelchair accessible, making it a great option for diverse student groups. The Natural Entrance Trail is steeper, at 1.25 miles, and takes approximately an hour to complete, offering a challenging hike with views of formations such as Devil’s Spring and Whale’s Mouth. It’s ideal for more adventurous students. This trail provides a unique glimpse into the history of early explorers.
The beauty of nature surrounds the park, featuring stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and various ecosystems, making it an ideal setting for educational moments in the classroom. The park’s different habitats, including the flowing water at Rattlesnake Springs, are home to a variety of wildlife. The park’s current wildlife checklist includes 67 mammal species (17 of which are bats), 357 bird species, 55 types of reptiles and amphibians, five fish species, and over 600 insects, with new species being discovered each year. The park also offers a diverse range of plant species in different geographic ranges! The park is home to about 900 species and subspecies of vascular plants, with the sunflower family containing 153 species and grasses representing 135 species. For any students or teachers curious about having a green thumb, a tour of the garden and nature offerings outside the park is a necessity.
A visit to Carlsbad Caverns and Museum provides students and educators with an excellent opportunity to explore nature, science, and history. The cavern’s stunning formations provide a visual wonder, while the museum offers valuable insights into history, geology, ecosystems, and natural conservation.
