Slaughter Canyon Cave is a strenuous tour. Ranger-guided tours of Slaughter Canyon Cave take you into an underground wilderness without electricity, paved walkways, or modern conveniences. In this wild cave, darkness is broken only by the flashlights and headlamps of rangers and tour members. Highlights of the two hour, 1¼-mile tour may include the 89-foot high Monarch, one of the world’s tallest columns; the Christmas Tree, a sparkling, crystal-decorated column; and the Chinese Wall, a delicate, ankle-high rimstone dam. Old bat guano mining excavations attest to the human history and impact in the cave.
Reservations are required for Slaughter Canyon Cave. Make reservations by calling 1.877.444.6777 or visit .
Cost: Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $7.50 for children, Senior and Access Pass holders.
Duration: 2 hours
When: Memorial Day weekend through August 14th —10 a.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Off-season (fall, winter and spring)—10 a.m. weekends only
Where: DO NOT GO TO THE VISITOR CENTER FOR THIS TOUR! SLAUGHTER CANYON CAVE IS 23 MILES FROM THE VISITOR CENTER. FROM WHITES CITY, TAKE STATE HIGHWAY 62/180 5 MILES SOUTH TO COUNTY ROAD 418. FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO SLAUGHTER CANYON CAVE. THE TOUR MEETS AT THE CAVE ENTRANCE—NOT THE PARKING LOT. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TOUR TIME.
There is a strenuous half-mile hike to the cavern entrance, which takes 30 to 45 minutes. The cave trails are narrow, uneven, and very slippery. Everyone must walk single file with their own light source. The cave passages are wide, but there are tall steps to maneuver up and down. Tours depart from the cave entrance at the scheduled time.
Requirements: Sturdy hiking shoes, drinking water, sunscreen and a strong flashlight with fresh batteries are required—penlights are not sufficient.
Walking sticks are allowed on the hiking trail to the cave entrance, however, NOT allowed inside the cave.
All tour participants must be age 8 or older. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
In an effort to prevent White-Nose Syndrome at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, tour participants will NOT be allowed to enter cave areas with shoes, clothing, and/or equipment until they have been screened and decontaminated.
