December 30, 2016 – Caverns and Crappy Camping

At the recommendation of a fellow RVer we booked a night at our first KOA campground ever about 20 miles outside Carlsbad, New Mexico. This place was nice and tidy with roomy spots, but not much in the way of personality. The staff was nice and it was the first RV park we’ve stayed in that offered a menu. They BBQed daily and you could put in an order and they would deliver to your door. Not knowing this in advance, I had already prepped dinner for that night so we didn’t partake.

Our plan for the next day was to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a 45 minute drive each way from this remote campground. Research lead me to an RV park in White’s City at the turn off to the National Park and only 10 minutes from the park.  Reviews were horrible, but it would give us more time at the caverns. We decided to depart the KOA for something closer. The location was ideal, the “park,”

not so much. Thank God for a self-contained trailer. Most of our neighbors looked to be permanent squatters that permanently kept most of their belongings outside their rig. The bathhouse doors were swinging from broken hinges. The check-in office/convenience store/collection of everything they had ever owned building was very unique.

We were so glad we chose to check out Carlsbad Caverns. I don’t think I’ve read anything that prepared me for just how magnificent this caverns are. I had no idea what was in store for us. Everyone should see this national park. I’m claustrophobic so have had some difficulty with cave visits in the past and warned Denis I might have to bail if the trails get tight, but the only tight quarters was the elevator down to the caverns. There are other trails that require scrambling through tight spaces if you like that sort of thing, but we opted for the elevator down to the Big Room. The trail through this is over a mile. The place is massive. There is even a concession stand and restrooms down here. The job they’ve done strategically lighting the walkway and formations is ideal. Can’t say enough about this place, just spectacular and my photos don’t do it justice.