Laws & Policies
Foundation Document
On October 25, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation creating Carlsbad Cave National Monument to protect Carlsbad Cavern and the area around it—nearly 720 acres (291 hectares)—for its “...extraordinary proportions and…unusual beauty and variety of natural decoration…”
The monument was designated as Carlsbad Caverns National Park by Congress on May 14, 1930. Today, the park encompasses over 46,000 acres (18,616 hectares) and over 119 known caves, including Lechuguilla Cave, one of the longest caves in the world and one of the deepest in North America. In addition to its many caves, the park contains one of the few protected portions of the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. Much of the park’s backcountry—over 33,000 rugged acres (13,355 hectares)—was designated wilderness in 1978 for its outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. In 1995, the park became a World Heritage Site.
One of the deciding factors to include Carlsbad Caverns National Park as a World Heritage Site was Lechuguilla Cave and all of the scientific discoveries made there since 1986. That, along with the park’s other geological and biological features, plus the overall size, beauty, and significance of Carlsbad Cavern, convinced the World Conservation Union and World Heritage Committee that the park met the criteria for designation.
The purposes for which the park was established as articulated in the 1923 Enabling Legislation, the 1978 wilderness designation, and the 1996 General Management Plan guide management at Carlsbad Caverns National Park include:
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Protecting caves within Carlsbad Caverns National Park;
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Preserving the park’s natural state and scenic features;
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Providing enjoyment and benefits for the public;
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Managing wilderness areas in accordance with the Wilderness Act;
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Preventing damage, destruction, or removal of park features;
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Managing the park in accordance with the Organic Act; and
- Protecting Lechuguilla Cave and other resources in and adjacent to the park.
