1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park – New Mexico

Few caves in the world rival the scale of Carlsbad Caverns. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, this underground system contains more than 100 caves, but the star attraction is the “Big Room.”

Descending into the cavern feels surreal. Massive limestone formations rise from the floor, stalactites hang like chandeliers, and the sheer size of the chamber makes you feel small in the best possible way. The Big Room is one of the largest underground chambers in North America.

If you visit at dusk in summer, you may also witness thousands of bats emerging in dramatic swirling formations—an unforgettable natural spectacle.