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2013 Map of Carlsbad Caverns

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Carlsbad Caverns
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Carlsbad Caverns serves as the focal point of this desert landscape, where the high-elevation Guadalupe Mountains meet the subterranean world. The map illustrates the complex relationship between the surface topography of the Guadalupe Ridge and the famous cavern system accessed via Walnut Canyon Rd. To the east, the small settlement of Whites City stands at the entrance to the national park, serving as a gateway for visitors traveling along the National Parks Hwy.

The surrounding terrain is defined by dry watercourses and isolated ranching operations. Significant draws and canyons like Lechuguilla Canyon, Bat Cave Draw, and Dark Canyon carve through the limestone, while life-sustaining water sources such as Cottonwood Spring and Light Spring appear as rare landmarks. Local history is grounded in the presence of established homesteads, including the W W Smith and Sons Ranch, White Ranch, and Lowe Ranch, which highlight the enduring ranching tradition in this arid New Mexico corridor.