From the outside the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico are anything but impressive and consist of several gray rock formations and a little scrub brush covering a not too cliff. But, step inside and this is one of the most amazing landscapes anywhere on Earth and, with more than 100 limestone caves to explore, you can wander here for years without ever seeing the same thing twice.

The Bat Cave is not for the feint hearted and is home to of many thousands of these flying mammals. The Bifrost Room will take your breath away and, named after the Bifrost bridge into Valhalla from a Scandinavian myth, the colors truly echo those of the rainbow. The largest open chamber in the system is The Hall of Giants which covers an incredible 360,000 square feet. Within these, and the many other rooms, you can discover some of Mother Nature’s most creative work.

The Witch’s Finger, a giant stalagmite, is a corkscrew formation that is over five times the the average person’s height and the Rock of Ages is even more impressive as it makes stationary rock appear to move and the numerous outcroppings of flowstone resemble a demon’s lair glowing from within.

Within the caverns you can choose self guided or staff guided tours with varying degrees of difficulty from simple walks around large open spaces to climbing ten foot walls and crawling through narrow entrances into large chambers.

One particular takes you through part of Lechuguilla Cave which, at more than 1,600 feet below ground, is the deepest cave in the United States. This cave covers more than 112 miles as it winds through the Guadalupe Mountains.

For the less active, you can visit the Big Room by taking an elevator which descends 900 feet and look up to be simply mesmerized by this 25 story high open space. You can then wander around this 1,800 foot by 250 foot room that is filled with astonishing rock formations. Also take the time to visit the Temple of the Sun and view its dozens of eerily lit underground pools.

If you do want to see the bats though you will need to visit between the months of April and September as the 300,000 Mexican free tailed bats who live here fly south for the winter. A short half mile hike from the natural entrance will take you to a plateau from which you can descend the 750 feet into the Bat Cave.

And do not forget to pop on your favorite pair of waterproof hiking boots and explore the area surrounding the caves as there are a number of fascinating things to both see and do. Despite its name, hiking along Rattlesnake Springs you are more likely to see dozens of birds and harmless reptiles than you are to see the snakes which give this place its name.

A final favorite with visitors is the 10 mile scenic drive through Walnut Canyon. This drive travels along Guadalupe Ridge and the views are simply magnificent.

The Carlsbad Caverns are of course merely one of the splendid hiking areas in the United States and rank alongside such other great pleasures as the hiking trails of Yellowstone.