Tour Description

Ranger-guided tours of Slaughter Canyon Cave take you into an underground wilderness without electricity. Located miles from the bustle of the main Visitor Center, please allow two hours travel time to reach the cave mouth for your tour. There is no crawling on this tour, but a strenuous hike up a steep ½ mile trail makes this a challenging trip in an unspoiled back country setting. Prices for Interagency Senior and Access pass holders are for those pass holders only. All others must purchase a separate full priced ticket.

Tour Details

• Duration: 2 hr. 00 min.
• Distance: 1 miles
• Accessible: No
• Effort: Difficult

Important Information

DO NOT DRIVE TO THE VISITOR CENTER FOR THIS TOUR. Each person must supply their own lights for this tour. Bring two forms of illumination per person, cell battery powered flashlights are suggested. Allow one and a half to two hours travel time from Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center and two to two and a half hours from the city of Carlsbad. The turn off for Slaughter Canyon is 5 miles south of State Road 7 (White's City) off Hwy 62/180. Turn west on County Road 418 (Rattlesnake Springs/Slaughter Canyon road). Proceed 12 miles to the parking lot/trailhead. Tour meets 15 minutes prior to posted time at cave entrance. An average of 45 minutes is needed for the hike to the cave entrance. Carry water, weather may be very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Wear sturdy hiking boots and stay on the trail.

Accessibility

There is no handicap accessibility on this tour.

Amenities

A rustic toilet is located at the trail head, no other amenities are available.

Directions

Slaughter Canyon Cave is 23 miles from the park visitor center. The turnoff for Slaughter Canyon Cave is located 5 miles south of Whites City on state highway 62/180. Turn right at County Road 418 Rattlesnake Springs/Slaughter Canyon turnoff.