Finally getting to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park in September and dismayed to discover that the pay tours of the deeper parts of the cave have been indefinitely canceled due to staffing cuts.

You would think that jobs that paid for themselves via ticket sales would have been saved but whatever, great business minds at work I guess.

Have you been to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky?

Yes, I have been to Mammoth Cave. I see the tours are still running there. It’s a dry cave so not particularly pretty or interesting.

I’m afraid Mammoth Cave is one of the 4 national parks I have visited which I didn’t think was worth going out of the way to see, the other 3 are Everglades, Hot Springs, and Shenandoah.

How about Wind Cave NP in SD? I was underwhelmed by Everglades as well. I should have gone to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary with its long boardwalk through the cypress trees.

Wind Cave: I went as a child and have good memories. I recall a lot of mineral formations.

Best cave for me so far has been Lewis and Clark caverns in Montana. Used to be a National Monument but was retroceded back to the state and is a state park.

That's too bad and probably just my luck not that knowing it makes you feel better.

I went to Carlsbad years ago but didn't do any guided tours. I was there with my parents and too early to see any bats. We took the elevator up and down one day and then we walked from outside in then took the elevator up as they had issues with walking. I was glad my mom brought her flashlight as there wasn't much lighting along the way. It was still pretty neat to see it and glad we did as my dad passed away last year. We still had a good time and hope you still get to go.

Sassy: Those options you saw are still available but opening times reduced (closes about 2 pm). The bats will still be good early September. With the cave closed early and the bats not till like 7 pm not sure what happens in between, the main day hike area is still washed out so no access, and town is a long way. It’s now or never because I never drive I-10 so never passing by this remote area going somewhere else.

Note that all cave entry now requires a $1 reservation, so it’s all got to be planned out.

Will have to be early risers leaving Santa Fe so we get to the bat show the first arrival day. Then have a leisurely cave visit the next day. Some days they have been doing impromptu tours of deeper parts of the cave, says TripAdvisor, if enough staff.

I'm curious as to why you don't like Shenandoah National Park? The park is more-or-less in our backyard (less than 2 hours away) and is one of our favorites for a day outing. We've visited in every season; and usually can't resist stopping in for a smash burger or in-season blackberry shake at Elk Wallow Wayside. Lots of trails, as well, for wanderers of all

I was careful with my wording. I didn’t say, “didn’t like.” Some national parks have outstanding geological features, scenery, wildlife, onsite lodging with rustic character, and are destinations themselves. These are worth getting on a plane or driving 6+ hours to see, and spending at least one night. The 4 parks I mentioned are worth visiting if in the area, but probably not worth a special trip.

Yeah, it’s super frustrating. I had a trip planned earlier this year and was really looking forward to the guided King’s Palace tour, was the highlight last time I went. Honestly feels like they’re shooting themselves in the foot. Still worth visiting for the main cavern, but yeah… the deeper tours are what make it special.

Fair enough. I appreciate the clarification. Your "worth a special trip" is likely more, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." The upside is that you are visiting our national parks!

Thanks for mentioning the Lewis and Clark caverns. We'll be driving home from Glacier NP in a couple of weeks and in the general area so we may make a stop now.

It's been at least 15 years since we've been to Carlsbad Caverns and even back then we were too late to get tickets for the cave entrance hike and had to do the elevator entry. I have very little memory of the cave, but the bats returning in the evening was such a beautiful and peaceful experience. That was the highlight for us and I hope you're able to get there in time driving from Santa Fe.

I called and got the skinny on the King’s Palace tour.

Most days there is an impromptu 10:30 am tour. Tickets are sold in the visitor’s center the morning of the tour. Opens at 9 am but people start lining up at 8:30 am to buy tickets.

I agree with Tom on Shenandoah. Dropping in for a few hours because you live nearby is different than expecting a special experience. I just don't think it's that special and the views of nearby lower areas from the top are nothing that great, either.

The thing about the Everglades is it is not going to knock you over like other parks -- its true beauty lies in appreciating what you are seeing, or getting to the backcountry for special moments, like kayaking FL Bay in the rain, sunrise on the beach of a remote key, being in a raucous bird rookery near sunset. We have had many great moments in the park (yes, we live in South Florida).