Summary
The park is known for its stunning natural caverns made of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum. The caverns are the largest natural gypsum caves in the world open to the public, spanning over 3/4-mile in length.
Visitors can explore the caverns on a guided tour, which takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The tour includes a walk through several rooms filled with alabaster formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. The park also offers recreational activities such as camping, hiking, and fishing.
In addition to the caverns, the park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bats, snakes, and spiders. Visitors can also spot unique plant species such as cactus and yucca.
One interesting fact about the park is that it was used as a bomb shelter during the Cold War. The caverns' natural insulation and sturdy structure made it an ideal location for emergency personnel to seek refuge in case of a nuclear attack.
The best time to visit Alabaster Caverns State Park is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild. During the summer, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making the caves uncomfortably hot. The park is open year-round, but the guided tours may have limited availability during the winter months.
Overall, Alabaster Caverns State Park is a unique destination that offers visitors a chance to explore the largest natural gypsum caves in the world. With its recreational activities and diverse wildlife, the park is a great place to visit for those looking for a unique outdoor adventure.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References