Government shutdown closes Carlsbad Caverns

You can still visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico during the federal government’s partial shutdown but don’t expect to go underground to see the namesake cavern itself.

Park officials say all park roads and trails remain open but that the cavern and the park’s visitor center are closed to visitors.

Carlsbad Cavern has a huge underground chamber called the Big Room with ceiling formations called stalactites.

The entire park has more than 100 caves formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone.

Above-ground features in the park include deep, rocky canyons, desert wildlife and ancient sea ledges.

___