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Rattlesnake Canyon - Backcountry Camping — Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park draws most visitors underground, but the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail gives campers a way to spend the night inside park boundaries entirely above ground. Access runs along the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, and the hike-in requirement keeps crowds minimal. Rangers at the visitor center issue free permits and brief campers on the basics before sending them out.

There are no designated sites. Campers must travel at least a half mile from the trailhead, then set up at least 100 feet off the trail on rocky, sandy terrain that rewards careful tent placement. Prickly pear is a real obstacle. A few cleared spots have been used before and are worth watching for, though the route out is described as strenuous. Visiting in February means cold nights, so a zero-degree sleeping bag is worth packing.

The ranger desk keeps a backcountry binder that rarely gets opened, which tells you something about how few people know this option exists. One reviewer noted it delivers "more of a nature experience than the other camping options" in the area, with open desert views that contrast sharply with the cave-focused experience most visitors have. For campgrounds near Carlsbad Caverns National Park that include developed facilities, options exist outside the park boundary. Camp Washington Ranch is one nearby alternative.

Permits are free and available at the visitor center. Spring and fall tend to offer more moderate temperatures than the extremes of summer heat or winter cold.

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Map & DirectionsRattlesnake Canyon is located in New Mexico near Whites City

Public Campground

Coordinates

32.16559747 N
104.50547767 W

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Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

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General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 28 min from El Paso, TX
2 hrs 58 min from Odessa, TX
3 hrs 4 min from Midland, TX
3 hrs 10 min from Las Cruces, NM

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Rattlesnake Canyon

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5 Reviews

Katie P.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 30, 2020

Beautiful hike

Wonderful hike-in, hike-out camping. There are several cleared out spots already for use, so keep an eye out! Strenuous hike out.

Crystal C.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 11, 2018

FREE Backcountry Camping

When I first saw this one I was a bit hesitant because of the name itself. I, a person petrified of snakes and also familiar that names are often given for a reason, was skeptical to say the least. But I wanted to try something a bit different and check into other camping options near Carlsbad.

This one is one that you will be required to get a permit. That permit is FREE, basically they just want to know you are out there just in case. From permit issuance you are told basic instructions of camping is open as long as you are not directly on the path. You can park in certain area and must pack in your gear, so travel with only what you want to deal with on your pack.

Camping options are pretty vast. The terrain is pretty rocky and sandy but you can really get a feel for the land out here as opposed to the campgrounds near town that are pretty standard.

(6) View All

Kelly M.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

most natural camping setting in the area

definitely more of a nature experience than the other camping options I'm aware of in the area. Permits are free and can be obtained at the visitor center. There are not designated sites, you can camp anywhere that's far enough off the trail (rangers will brief you on how far you have to be). Feb was definitely really cold. We were huddling in a shiver bivvy. Will be back for sure but will bring the zero degree sleeping bag next time. The caverns are absolutely amazing and we consider this the best nature camping around.

Month of VisitFebruary

(7) View All

Kelly M.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

camp close to the Caverns and dose up on nature (not RVs and crowds)

Rattlesnake canyon- backcountry camping close to Carlsbad caverns- wayyy cooler than the KOA in town or the other camping options I've explored. Permit required but is free- pretty much anywhere far enough off the trail is fair game (obviously check with the ranger for the actual rules). We emerged from the caverns to see a sea of flames coming from the oil fields in what I guess is just south of the park. Gorgeous sunset- seemingly nobody else around though the rangers said there were at least a couple other parties out there. You'll want to bring a heavy duty tarp/ground cloth as many of the otherwise decent tent spots are pretty rocky.

(10) View All

SwitchbackKids

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 27, 2017

How to stay overnight in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

While Carlsbad Caverns generally serves a one-day visitor, there is much more to see as the sun goes down.

Unfortunately, there are no developed campgrounds or lodging inside the park, but the park does offer easy backcountry options for those willing to hike a bit.

Permits are required for camping along the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail, but those are easily acquired at the visitor center. As the ranger shakes the dust off the backcountry binder, it’s easy to tell just how few people use this option to camp inside the park.

The Rattlesnake Canyon Trail is located along the Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, inside the park, and you are almost guaranteed to be all alone. All you have to do is walk at least a half mile from the trailhead along the trail, then at least 100 feet off the trail, then try not to set up your tent on a prickly pear.

This campsite was beautiful, with great views of the desert, and also offered a much different above-ground perspective than the usual visitor receives here at Carlsbad Caverns.

To explore the rest of the park, we’d recommend taking the Natural Entrance into the park (winding Switchbacks that lead into the main chamber). If you get too tired to hike out, there is an elevator back up to the Visitor Center! The Big Room is self-guided, but be sure to add on a special ranger tour for access to restricted areas of the park.

You can read much more about our two days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Carlsbad Caverns)

Month of VisitFebruary