W. of Santa Fe. The level of hiking difficulty varies with the terrain. Bernalillo, Chimayo, Jemez Springs, Pena Blanca, Santa Fe, White Rock. Carlsbad Caverns National Park A 46,766-acre park which is famous for its caverns. Located in the foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico.
Hiking trails are available underground and above ground.
The underground trails are fascinating, and not too strenuous. One way to enter the cave is at a natural entrance and follow a 3-mile trail. The other way is to go to the visitor center and take the elevator down 754 feet to the Big Room, a cavern chamber with a 250-foot ceiling. Both underground trails end up at the elevator. Above ground there are about 50 miles of backcountry trails available to explore the desert flatlands, and the canyons and ridges of the Guadalupe Mountains.