There is beauty in the darkness. This is the revelation I had after exploring some of the best caves in the U. With so many amazing underground options, a hot debate has arisen as to which of the national park caves is the best. The two in question are typically Mammoth Cave and Carlsbad Caverns ; I have explored both, so I thought I would weigh in and give some highlights of each national park cave.
The best part of visiting these caves is obviously getting underground, but that is only part of the adventure in these parks. Both parks are free to enter and there are many hikes and points of interest to experience aboveground before you dive into the crust of the earth. At Mammoth Cave National Park, we found a forested picnic area where we ate lunch and discovered many trails that intersected each other.
I loved learning about the history and seeing the multiple cave entrances which sparked my curiosity and sense of wonder. If you want to see the glory of these underground wonderlands, you must buy a ticket. For Mammoth Cave, this means picking one of the many cave tours they have available and booking your spot.
For Carlsbad Caverns, this means a timed entry that allows you to explore the pathways underground freely without a guide. I loved the solitude found in the darkness as I was able to explore, take pictures, and marvel at the sights all without being rushed to the next spot.
I have been to many cave tours in the U. However, I did love my tour guide in Mammoth Cave who offered some interesting bits of history and information about the cave I would not have known otherwise. Mammoth Cave offers lots of tours depending on what sort of adventure you want to take. I loved learning about the history of the cave and hearing interesting facts, but ultimately my favorite part was maneuvering around the tight corners and the low-hanging corridors.
