Food Waste Disrupted the Big Room at Carlsbad Caverns in 2023
Food scraps led to mold growth and attracted invertebrates in the Big Room in 2023, a reminder to plan ahead and leave no trash behind when you visit.
By David Sanchez,
When you're planning a visit to Carlsbad Caverns, remember one simple precaution: don't leave any trash or food scraps in the cave. An incident in the Big Room shows why this matters for protecting the cave's ecosystem.
According to The Times of India, the Big Room experienced an ecological disturbance in summer 2023 involving a discarded Cheetos bag and food scraps. This happened some time ago, but it's worth keeping in mind for your next visit.
According to the same outlet, mold grew around the food scraps. The Times of India also reports that invertebrates gathered there. What might seem like harmless litter ended up affecting the cave environment.
The Times of India reports that rangers removed the food scraps. The outlet adds that they also scrubbed away the mold with brushes. The cleanup involved more than picking up a wrapper.
For your visit, we recommend bringing something to hold your trash until you can dispose of it properly. Before you leave, take a moment to check that you haven't left anything behind. A wrapper and its contents need equal attention. The goal is to leave no trace of food in the cave.
The main takeaway is a simple rule to follow as you explore: pack out all your trash. To plan the rest of your visit, see our guide to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Make packing out your trash part of your planning from the start.