Family Fun

Date: March 25, 2013

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Third Favorite Family Vacation Destination

 CARLSBAD, New Mexico - Carlsbad Caverns National Park has been named the third most-favorite family destination in a national poll by FamilyFun, a family travel magazine and a popular source for travel recommendations and family activities.

FamilyFun conducted an extensive nationwide survey of parents with children 3 to 12, asking them to rate popular vacation destinations for affordability, accessibility and fun. Carlsbad Caverns placed third in "Overall Favorite Family Destinations" with the top two spots going to Yellowstone National Park and Acadia National Park. All but one of the top 10 selections are national parks indicating that vacationers enjoy choosing destinations that are set aside for the purpose of natural, historic and cultural preservation.

"It certainly seems fitting that families would rate national parks as 9 out of the top 10 fun vacation destinations," Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent John Benjamin said. "We are thrilled by being chosen and we agree that the park offers quality experiences that fit the criteria for family fun to the nth degree. No matter what age your family members are, we have something for everyone and we offer adventures in a very safe environment."

 Humorist Will Rogers called Carlsbad the "Grand Canyon with a roof on it." FamilyFun voters say "It's simply grand." The park, located in the Guadalupe Mountains at the northern reaches of the Chihuahuan desert, features some of the largest and deepest limestone chambers anywhere on earth.

 Top 10 Overall Favorite Family Destinations:

1. Yellowstone National Park (WY, MT, ID)

2. Acadia National Park (ME)

3. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NM)

4. Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)

5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial (SD)

6. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI)

7. Yosemite National Park (CA)

8. Disney Magic Kingdom Park (FL)

9. Glacier National Park (MT)

10. Pearl Harbor Visitor Center/USS Arizona Memorial (HI)

"Vacations provide a special time for families to come together and create lasting memories," said Ann Hallock, Editor-in-chief, FamilyFun magazine. "And we were thrilled to see that so many are choosing to do that while heading outdoors to take advantage of our wonderful national park system."

For more information about open hours, cave tours, and other activities, call 575-785-2232 or visit www.nps.gov/cave.