Near Carlsbad in Eddy County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012

1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Marker

Inscription. These vast and magnificent caverns contain over 21 miles of explored corridors. The chambers contain countless stalactites and stalagmites unrivaled in size and beauty. The caverns are within a reef that formed in an ancient sea 240 million years ago. Millions of years later, the reef was fractured, allowing ground water to begin work fashioning the caverns.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Features • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 32° 10.552′ N, 104° 22.317′ W. Marker is near Carlsbad, New Mexico, in Eddy County. It is on U.S. 62 at milepost 16, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlsbad NM 88220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the

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Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 4.1 miles away); a different marker also named Carlsbad Caverns National Park (approx. 5½ miles away); Guadalupe Mountains (approx. 8.2 miles away); Guadalupe Escarpment Scenic Area (approx. 8.2 miles away).

<i>Back of </i>Carlsbad Caverns National Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012

2. Back of Carlsbad Caverns National Park Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 26, 2012

3. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Marker

Carlsbad Caverns National Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jennifer W., October 2016

4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

An example of one of the many limestone formations found within the Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns

The cave entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo

5. The cave entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,078 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on January 5, 2020, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. 5. submitted on March 5, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.