Lechuguilla Cave
| Lechuguilla Cave | |
|---|---|
Largest known gypsum stalactites, Chandelier Ballroom (human at bottom gives scale) | |
| Location | Eddy County, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Carlsbad |
| Coordinates | 32°11′26″N 104°30′11″W / 32.19056°N 104.50306°W |
| Length | 150.3 mi (241.9 km) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
Lechuguilla Cave is a cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, United States, known for its unusual geology, rare formations, and pristine condition. At 152.11 miles (244.80 km), it is the ninth-longest explored cave in the world. Its measured depth of 1,588.6 feet (484.2 m) makes it the seventh-deepest cave in the United States.
The cave is named for the canyon through which it is entered, which is named for Agave lechuguilla, a species of plant found there. Access to the cave is limited to approved scientific researchers, survey and exploration teams, and National Park Service management-related trips.