Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are two of the most unique and exciting national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes and discover an array of fascinating natural wonders. Big Bend National Park, located in Texas, is a desert wonderland that boasts rugged mountains, canyons, and hot springs. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in New Mexico, is a subterranean paradise that features a series of limestone caves formed by water and sulfuric acid. Whether you’re a hiker, a cave enthusiast, or simply looking for a scenic getaway, these two parks have something to offer everyone. Imagine the contrast of the arid and rocky terrains of Big Bend with the underground limestone caves of Carlsbad Caverns, both parks offer a unique and distinct experience that will make you want to come back for more. These two parks will leave you in awe with the natural wonders they possess, so come along and discover the hidden gems of these two national parks.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both popular national parks that offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. However, the types of hiking trails that are available at each park can vary quite a bit.
Big Bend National Park has over 150 miles of hiking and backpacking trails that lead visitors through some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the park. The park’s diverse landscape offers a range of trails from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Chisos Basin Trail, the South Rim Trail, and the Emory Peak Trail. These trails provide visitors with the opportunity to explore the park’s stunning landscape without having to be too physically demanding. On the other hand, some of the most challenging hikes include the Outer Mountain Loop Trail, which is a strenuous, backcountry hike that takes visitors through rugged terrain and steep inclines.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park has a network of hiking trails that take visitors through the park’s beautiful desert landscape and into the caverns themselves. The park’s trails are relatively easy and are great for visitors of all ages and abilities. The Big Room Trail is one of the most popular trails and takes visitors on a 1.25-mile loop through the largest chamber in the caverns. The Natural Entrance Trail, is another popular trail that leads visitors down 750 feet into the caverns, this trail is relatively steep, but it is a moderate hike.
In summary, Big Bend National Park offers a wide range of hiking trails from easy to strenuous, and visitors can explore the park’s stunning landscape without having to be too physically demanding, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers a relatively easy network of trails that take visitors through the park’s beautiful desert landscape and into the caverns themselves, the trails are relatively easy and are great for visitors of all ages and abilities. Both parks offer a unique hiking experiences and are great places to explore the natural beauty of the desert.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Mine Trail | 6759.228 | 334.9752 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| South Rim Trail – Boot Springs Trail | 17702.74 | 709.8792 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| The Window Trail | 8368.568 | 288.9504 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Emory Peak Trail | 13679.39 | 731.8248 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Santa Elena Canyon Trail | 2414.01 | 185.928 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Trail | 3057.746 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boquillas Canyon Trail | 1931.208 | 69.7992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Canyon Trail | 8851.37 | 280.7208 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Outer Mountain Loop | 38785.094 | 1739.7984 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Big Bend Hot Springs Trail | 1770.274 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park Trail | 1287.472 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 5 |
| North Slaughter Canyon Trail | 17863.674 | 469.6968 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Carlsbad Caverns Highway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 23657.298 | 309.9816 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Juniper Ridge Trail | 3057.746 | 140.8176 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Yucca Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 443.7888 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail | 1609.34 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Rattlesnake Canyon | 8690.436 | 207.8736 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Walnut Canyon Trail | 482.802 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 2.5 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are two very different national parks, each with its own unique wildlife.
Big Bend National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including over 450 species of birds, 75 species of mammals, and over 60 species of reptiles and amphibians. The park is particularly well known for its bird-watching opportunities, with species such as the Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, and Roadrunner commonly seen. Big Bend is also home to a variety of mammals such as White-tailed deer, Javelina, and Bighorn sheep. The park also has a diverse array of reptiles and amphibians, with species such as the Texas horned lizard and the desert tortoise commonly seen.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, on the other hand, is known for its underground caves and its bat population. The park is home to over 17 species of bats, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat, which can number in the hundreds of thousands. The park also has a variety of other cave-dwelling animals such as cave crickets, cave beetles, and cave salamanders. Above ground, the park is home to a variety of desert animals such as roadrunners, snakes, and lizards.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is known for its diverse and unique wildlife, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its bats and other cave-dwelling animals. Both parks are great places to see and learn about different species of animals, birds, and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Big Bend National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Common Gray Fox |
| Gray Wolf | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| California Myotis | American Badger |
| Fringed Myotis | California Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Fringed Myotis |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Sonoran Gophersnake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Eastern Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Green Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Desert Kingsnake | Common Gartersnake |
| Texas Nightsnake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Mexican Milksnake | Desert Kingsnake |
| Central Texas Whipsnake | Texas Nightsnake |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | New Mexico Milksnake |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Striped Whipsnake |
| Glossy Snake | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Long-Nosed Snake | Big Bend Tree Lizard |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Big Bend National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Barred Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | American Bullfrog |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Canyon Treefrog | Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Carlsbad Caverns National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Green Sunfish |
| Bluegill | Mosquitofish |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Mosquitofish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both known for their breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders.
Big Bend National Park is home to a diverse array of landscapes, including rugged mountains, canyons, and hot springs. The Chisos Mountains, located in the heart of the park, are the highest range in Texas and offer visitors stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. The park also boasts several spectacular canyons, including Santa Elena Canyon and Mariscal Canyon, that offer visitors a chance to hike through towering cliffs and explore the Rio Grande River. Another popular feature of the park is the hot springs, including the popular Hot Springs Trail, which offers visitors the opportunity to soak in natural hot springs.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to one of the most famous limestone caves in the world. The park features a series of limestone caves formed by water and sulfuric acid, including the famous Carlsbad Cavern, which is known for its large chambers and impressive rock formations. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the cave to see the natural wonders, including the Big Room, the largest chamber in the park, and the Bat Flight, where visitors can watch thousands of bats fly out of the cave at sunset. The park also boasts a number of hiking trails that take visitors through the rugged desert landscape, including the Guadalupe Ridge Trail, which offers views of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is known for its rugged mountains, canyons, and hot springs, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its limestone caves and unique underground landscapes. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes and discover an array of natural wonders.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park offer very different experiences to visitors, with different popular activities to enjoy.
Big Bend National Park is known for its outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and backpacking. The park has over 150 miles of trails, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the desert landscapes, canyons, and mountain ranges. The park also offers river trips, horseback riding and bird-watching. Visitors can also take scenic drives to see the park’s beautiful vistas, including the Chisos Mountains and Santa Elena Canyon.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its underground cave tours. The park offers several options for visitors to explore the caves, from self-guided tours to ranger-guided tours. The park’s main attraction is the Big Room, which is over 800 feet long, 625 feet wide and 255 feet high, and is open to visitors year-round. The park also offers the Kings Palace and Left Hand Tunnel tours which are ranger-guided. Visitors can also walk the natural entrance trail to see the bats leaving the cave at sunset.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is known for its outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and backpacking, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its underground cave tours and the opportunity to see bats. Both parks offer unique and exciting experiences to visitors.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both located in the southwestern United States, but they have vastly different climates and weather patterns.
Big Bend National Park is located in west Texas and is known for its hot and dry desert climate. Summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and it can be uncomfortably hot during the day. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate. Winter can also be a great time to visit as temperatures are cooler, but be prepared for some chilly nights.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, on the other hand, is located in southeastern New Mexico and has a much milder climate. Summer temperatures are typically in the 80s and 90s, making it a comfortable time to visit. The park can also be visited year-round, as temperatures in the winter are usually mild and pleasant. However, the park is known for its high humidity levels and flash floods can happen during the monsoon season, so it is important to check the weather forecast before planning your visit.
In summary, while both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes, the best time to visit Big Bend National Park is during the spring and fall, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park can be visited year-round, but be prepared for high humidity during the summer and monsoon season.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are both great options for families, but each park offers a different experience.
Big Bend National Park is a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park offers a variety of easy to moderate hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Chisos Basin Trail and the Hot Springs Trail. The park also offers ranger-led programs that are suitable for children, such as the Junior Ranger program, which allows children to learn about the park’s wildlife, geology and history. The park also has campground that is open year-round, which offers families the opportunity to spend the night under the stars.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great option for families who enjoy underground exploration and natural history. The park’s main attraction is the limestone caves, which can be explored through a self-guided tour. The Big Room is a great option for families as it is a large chamber that can be explored without the need for climbing or crawling. The park also offers a guided tour for children, called the “Cave of the Swallows” tour, which is designed for children ages 6-12 and is a shorter and less strenuous version of the regular tour. The park also has a campground that is open seasonally, which offers families the opportunity to spend the night close to the caves.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities and wildlife viewing, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great option for families who enjoy underground exploration and natural history. Both parks offer unique experiences for families and the best choice will depend on what you want to experience the most with your family.