How many people visit carlsbad caverns

Despite having no elevator service available to visitors for nearly half the year, Carlsbad Caverns National Park enjoyed its highest visitation in 15 years in Nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located just over the Texas border, also saw an increase in visitation. The National Park Service celebrated years of existence with special activities throughout Alexander Moorkamp, who served as a research intern this summer at the park, conducted a study into all three aspects of park impacts from April to July.

The study contributed to the U. He said when tourists visit in large groups, sometimes clustering into tours of up to 20 people, their impact becomes concentrated and more damaging to the sensitive features in the caverns. Clouds of carbon dioxide can build up, changing the chemistry of the caves while also raising its temperature, and echoing voices can make for a much noisier visitor experience, Moorkamp said.

Overtime, he said carbon dioxide levels could become dangerous for humans and animals to breathe. Adrian Hedden can be reached at , achedden currentargus. Facebook Twitter Email. National Park Service looks to mitigate human impact on Carlsbad Caverns.

Adrian Hedden Carlsbad Current-Argus. The Mother Road: Route True Certified Products. Family Fun. Ride the Historic Rails of New Mexico. Festivals and Fairs. Events Calendar. Things to do this weekend. Food and Wine. Big Annual Markets. Native American Events. Get The True Adventure Guide. Dude Ranches. E-Newsletter Sign-Up. Visitor Information Centers. The Venturesome Traveler Blog. Tour Operators. In this section. Rocky slopes and canyons, cactus, grass, thorny shrubs, and the occasional tree, who could guess at the hidden treasures deep underground?

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