Until 1986, Lechuguilla Cave was considered a small and relatively insignificant historic site in the backcountry of the park. Initially, small amounts of bat guano were mined from its entrance passages under a mining claim filed in 1914. The cave itself consisted of a 90-foot (27 m) entrance pit leading to 400 feet (122 m) of dry, dead-end passages.
After mining activities ceased, the cave saw infrequent visits until the 1950s, when cavers heard wind emanating from the rubble-choked floor, hinting at deeper passages below. Despite the apparent obstacles, various groups speculated that extensive cave networks lay beyond. In 1984, a team of Colorado cavers obtained permission from the National Park Service and began excavation efforts. The breakthrough into expansive walking passages occurred on May 26, 1986.
Subsequently, Lechuguilla Cave became a focal point for some of the most exhilarating cave exploration worldwide. Since 1984, explorers have meticulously mapped over 145 miles (233 km) of passages and plumbed the cave’s depths to 1,604 feet (489 m). By July 2019, Lechuguilla ranked among the top ten longest caves globally and was the second deepest limestone cave in the United States. Its allure lies in unexplored passages and unseen natural beauty, drawing cavers from across the globe to continue exploring and charting its depths.
