Atlas Obscura
Colonel Boles Formation in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Deep below the New Mexico desert, Carlsbad Caverns hosts some of the most pristine and otherworldly limestone formations in the world. Deeper still lies the Lower Cave, inaccessible to visitors who have not booked a guided tour. The Lower Cave is well regarded for its natural beauty and, due to its lack of development, appears much the same as it did when it was discovered. However, it was not…