Parka

Carlsbad Caverns National Park hiking guide

Slaughter Canyon Trail

A 3-mile trail with 930 ft of climbing in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Slaughter Canyon Trail, Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Photo: gregmote · CC BY 2.0

Key facts

Length
3.0 mi (4.8 km)
Elevation gain
930 ft (284 m)

About Slaughter Canyon Trail

This one-way hike begins at the canyon's parking area and follows the route deep into the park's backcountry. Expect a full day on rugged ground with a steady climb, so it suits visitors prepared for a long outing. The trailhead sits just steps from a shorter cave trail, which makes a good warm-up.

Route map

Route map of Slaughter Canyon Trail in Carlsbad Caverns National Park1 miN
StartFinishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

More trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Why Park Lovers Choose Parka

Trip Planner

All the tools for epic adventures

Works Offline

Fully functional without cell service

Updated Weekly

Trail conditions, alerts, and closures

Try Risk-Free

7-day free trial, cancel anytime

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial

Unlock everything you need for your next national park trip. Your first week is on us!

National Park vista

Start your adventure today

Download Parka and plan your perfect national park trip in minutes.

Explore All 63 National Parks

Browse parks by region and discover your next adventure