Caves, caverns, and karst are geological features that are formed by the dissolution of rock, and are found in many national and state parks throughout the United States. These parks offer some of the most unique and spectacular underground landscapes in the country and are popular destinations for spelunking, sightseeing, and outdoor activities. Some examples of national and state parks that preserve caves, caverns, and karst include:
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns is known for its extensive cave system, including the Big Room, which is one of the largest underground chambers in North America.
- Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky: Mammoth Cave is known for being the longest known cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of explored passageways.
- Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota: Jewel Cave is known for its unique and fragile cave formations, including helictites, which are twisted and bent cave formations that have no parallel in modern surface geology.
- Lava Beds National Monument in California: Lava Beds is known for its diverse volcanic landscape, including several lava tube caves, which are caves formed by volcanic activity.
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utah: Timpanogos Cave is known for its beautiful and colorful cave formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.
- Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota: Wind Cave is known for its complex cave system, including boxwork, a rare cave formation that is found only in a few places in the world.
These are just a few examples, but there are many other national and state parks throughout the United States that preserve caves, caverns, and karst. These parks offer unique and spectacular underground landscapes and are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Many of these parks offer guided tours, but visitors should also be aware that caves can be dangerous and unpredictable environments, and they should follow the regulations and guidelines set by the National Parks Service or the State Parks Service.