Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
There is absolutely no shade on this trail, and summer temperatures regularly push past 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat exhaustion is a real risk — carry more water than you think you need for a half-mile hike, and avoid afternoon starts from June through September.
The trail surface is loose limestone and gravel on a steep grade, making it slippery both going up and coming down. Trekking poles are worth their weight here, especially on the descent when tired legs meet gravity and scree.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
If you're doing a ranger-led cave tour, arrive at the parking area at least 45 minutes before your tour time — the rangers aren't kidding about the climb taking that long, and they won't wait for stragglers.
Bring a headlamp and closed-toe shoes with good ankle support even though the hike is short — you'll need the lamp for the cave tour, and the loose rocky footing will punish sandals or trail runners with thin soles.
Stop and turn around frequently on the climb up — the canyon views improve with every switchback, and the best panorama is actually about three-quarters of the way up, where you can see the full sweep of Slaughter Canyon stretching south toward the Guadalupe ridge.
Photos
NPS
