The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to amazing hiking trails with plenty of diversity

You'll find winding paths that take you through the Chihuahuan Desert, up rocky hills, and even into the warm caves of the park. 

The Chihuahuan Desert is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, and home to many animals, including bears, mountain lions, coyotes, deer, javelinas, and snakes. 

You'll also find Rattlesnake Springs, a natural spring that supplies water to the desert and is home to many types of wildlife.

Whatever you have in store for the day, we've got the perfect trail for your next visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Hike #1: Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail

In this wild cave, darkness is broken only by the flashlights and headlamps of rangers and tour members as they carefully travel through the rocky terrain

The trail begins at the visitor center and follows the creek bed to the canyon. 

On the way down, you’ll descend a 250-foot staircase and then walk 1.5 miles through the cave to reach the breathtaking Bat Room. This is an incredible spectacle to see thousands of bats swinging from the roof!

Prepare for narrow canyons, spectacular limestone cliffs, and two natural bridges. This is a fantastic walk for those interested in geology and archaeology, as several ancient Native American petroglyphs have been discovered in the cave.

The hike can be strenuous in some areas, but the views are worth it

• Total Distance: 1.0 mile
• Elevation Gain: 462 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Route Type: Out & back 
• Other Info: 

Hike #2: Rattlesnake Canyon

This path is ideal for lovers of cacti and the classic Spring wildflowers. You’ll see them in all their glory

The hike is moderate in difficulty and starts from the Rattlesnake Springs parking lot. You'll cross a creek bed and then make your way up the canyon, following the stream as it winds through boulders and wildflowers.

The hike takes you through Rattlesnake Canyon, where you'll see an old corral, catch glimpses of the Carlsbad Caverns, and cross the creek bed on your way to the canyon. 

This is also an excellent opportunity to see some of the best of what the Chihuahuan Desert has to offer, including colorful cacti, desert willows, and ocotillos. 

Keep your eyes peeled for javelinas and snakes too

• Total Distance: 5.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 682 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Route Type: Out & back 
• Other Info: 

Hike #3: North Slaughter Canyon Trail

This is one of our favorite hikes in the park, as it offers something for everyone! 

The trail begins at the visitor center and is an easy walk for the first mile, following the creek bed. You'll then cross the creek and make your way up the canyon.

This is a nice walk for anyone searching for a little activity. As you venture farther down the trail, it becomes more difficult. The first three miles are fairly level, but after that, the path starts to get steeper.

You'll climb over rocks and boulders as you make your way up the canyon. As you ascend, the views of the Chihuahuan Desert become more and more impressive.

At the top of the canyon, you'll find a natural bridge and waterfall, as well as great views of the Carlsbad Caverns.

• Total Distance: 11.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,309 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Route Type: Out & back  
• Other Info: 

Hike #4: Juniper Ridge Trail

The spectacular views include enormous Cascade volcanoes, and glittering constellations of wildflowers and huckleberries on the Juniper Ridge Trail. This trail presents a fantastic opportunity for a backpacking trip

Perfect for those who like to explore and see as much of the park as possible, the trailhead is well marked and easy to follow.

The path crosses Juniper Peak, Sunrise Peak, and Jumbo Peak before coming to Dark Meadow. Dark Meadow is a great place to take a break and enjoy the views.

The trail then continues to traverse the ridge, with ever-changing scenery.

You'll see everything from desert grasslands and Joshua trees to pine forests and snow-capped mountains.

• Total Distance: 1.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 462 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Route Type: Out & back 
• Other Info: 

Hike #5: Walnut Canyon Trail

As you look around the curvaceous canyon walls, former homes of ancient people are readily visible along with stunning geological features of the canyon itself. 

The short Walnut Canyon Trail takes you through a slot canyon and past several prehistoric Native American archaeological sites. 

This route has it all, with carvings of cobblestone and other ancient monuments.

The route is well defined, but it might be difficult in some places. The trail has several drop-offs and is steep in parts, so exercise caution.

It’s easy to picture what life may have been like in Walnut Canyon as you explore the trail, see real pueblos, and follow in the footsteps of those who came before. 

There's a lot of history and beauty to be discovered on this excursion.

• Total Distance: 0.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 26 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Route Type: Out & back 
• Other Info: 

For More Information Visit All Trails

The entrance fee to Carlsbad Caverns is $15 per person. Children under the age of 15 can visit for free. The park honors America the Beautiful Passes

Park hours vary by season.