Anza Borrego-The Slot Canyon Trail Directions: From Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs, drive 11.5 miles southeast on Borrego Springs Road. Turn left on Route 78 East, drive 1.5 miles east of Borrego Springs, and turn left (north) on a dirt road marked Buttes Pass by mile post 87. From 4895 CA-78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004, take the dirt road marked Buttes Pass north for 1.8 miles to get to the trailhead on your right. The initial climb down into the canyon is steep, but once you're down there it is almost flat. This is a short but spectacular trail! The trail is sandy, unique, and easy for all skill levels. 18+ T&C Apply – To receive the welcome bonus a minimum deposit of £/€/$ 10 is Slot Canyon Trail California 78 Borrego Springs Ca required. The minimum deposit for other offers that require a deposit will be clearly communicated. Maximum bonus offered will be communicated in the details of each specific promo. Slot Canyon, Borrego Springs: See 83 reviews, articles, and 141 photos of Slot Canyon, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 33 attractions in Borrego Springs. Slot Canyon: Great slot Canyon Hike - See 83 traveler reviews, 140 candid photos, and great deals for Borrego Springs, CA, at Tripadvisor.
Hidden away, below the Truckhaven Rocks in eastern Anza-Borrego, is a geological feature that is fun for visitors of all ages. This narrow slot canyon is unlike most other slot canyons because it is easy to get to and easy to hike.
While you're in this area, we suggest that you also take the nearby Calcite Mine Road Trip. You'll need 4WD for that trip but, if you've got it, it's worth the short drive up to the mine. You can easily spend an entire day doing these two activities.
- The beginning of the hike to the slot canyon
- Walking into the beginning of the narrows
- A boulder almost blocks the slot canyon's entrance
- Inside the slot canyon
The Calicite Mine Slot Canyon is a great way to spend 1-2 hours in the Calcite Mine / Truckhaven Rocks area. Hiking into the wash that the slot canyon is in offers classic desert landscape that is unique to this area.
This slot canyon is different than the other popular slot canyon in Anza-Borrego known as The Slot. This canyon has very smooth walls whereas The Slot has very rough and corrugated walls.
Because you are hiking in a wash where a lot of water is concentrated after rainstorms, you will most likely encounter increased vegetation. A wide variety of plants common to Anza-Borrego can be found here, including the coachwhip and desert tobacco.
The beginning of this hike is not too far from Hwy S22. You will need at least a 2WD vehicle with medium ground clearance to get to the start of the trail. If you don't have the required vehicle, it is a 0.7 mile, one-way hike to the trailhead.
Start your trip at Christmas Circle in the center of Borrego Springs. Reset your odometer to zero and drive east on Palm Canyon Drive (Hwy S22).
You'll pass the airport and the road to Fonts Point. At about 19 miles, turn left onto a dirt turnout. Be sure to stop and read the informative sign here about the Calcite Mine before descending into the canyon. If you are not driving the required vehicle, park safely here and start your hike.
You should assess the road and the weather before descending. Be sure that your vehicle is up to the task and, if there are thunderstorms in the area, just take this trip some other time. It is not safe to drive or hike in a wash with thunderstorms threatening.
From the turnout, go down the dirt road, into the wash below, and turn left at 0.1 mile. Continue traveling up the wash, which now parallels S22 heading west, until you cannot drive any further. Park your vehicle here so that other vehicles can turn around and get past you.
- See directions to beginning of trip on Google Maps
After parking your vehicle, start hiking up the canyon. It's an easy walk of about one mile, one way. The canyon twists and turns and becomes narrower the further you go. There are a few obstacles to climb over but they are not difficult at all.
When we last visited, there was a fallen column lying across the canyon that we had to walk under. Eventually, this column will erode and collapse so at some point, the hike will include climbing over the fallen column. As you walk along, be sure to notice the different types of vegetation growing inside the canyon and on the canyon floor.
After walking about a third of a mile, the canyon narrows down into a classic slot canyon. You will be able to touch both sidewalls of the canyon at the same time and have to squeeze through some tight spots. This makes some people uncomfortable but this narrow section only lasts for less than a quarter mile. The canyon then opens up again for a short time and the hike comes to an end at a dry waterfall.
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- The hike begins
- Looking back at the fallen column
- Just past the fallen column
- The trail up the canyon twists and turns
- Walking into another narrow section
- The canyon begins to narrow slightly
- The canyon opens up for a short distance
- The walls get higher
- Nicely carved canyon walls
- The trail is easy to walk
- The narrows begin
- The narrows begin past this boulder
- Be sure to look up
- A part of the narrows
- Look for dripping mud like melted wax of a candle
- The canyon is full of nature's sculptures
- Sedimentary rock cemented into the mudstone
- Lighting varies in the narrows
- More narrows
- An example of the narrows
- The trail ends at this dry waterfall
Getting There Map
See tips on using the interactive map.
Turn-offRoad to slot canyon starts here. For visitors without 4WD
and plan to hike, there is a parking area here.
Turn left and go up the wash.
Going straight goes up to the Calcite Mine.
The road ends and the hike begins here.
Slot CanyonThe canyon enters its most narrow section.
Hike EndsMost will end their hike here at a dry waterfall.
Added by Jason Neitzke
Distance: about one mile (no need to rush). Duration: 1-3 hours, depending on your speed. Short hike, easy access and amazing views. No permit required.
The Slot is an amazing short hike located in the Anza Borrego Desert. Drive east on Hwy 78, and about a mile and a half after Borrego Springs Road, turn left onto Buttes Pass Road. Buttes Pass road is a dirt road and not marked well so look carefully. The road is pretty smooth, about a mile in you will take a left at the fork. From there, you will drive about another mile to a parking lot. Sunland park casino restaurant. Two wheel drive vehicles should be fine unless there was a recent rainstorm.
From the parking lot, you will take the trail into the canyon that is directly in front of you. This will be the hardest and steepest part of the hike. There are no trail markers for the Slot. Do not take the trail to the right of the parking lot or you will miss the Slot. Once you are at the bottom, go left and head to where the canyon starts to narrow. As you enter, the walls start to close in and you are taking your bag off to get through some tight passages. Every turn is exciting, it is constantly changing and you are not sure what is going to be around the next bend. The Slot is made of siltstone and is very brittle so watch your footing if you decide to climb around. At the end of the Slot you hit a dirt road, from there you can either turn around and go back through or follow the road and find some other trails. Further down the road there are some awesome wind caves and arches that are worth checking out.
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Join the communityReviews
Sophia Steen
over 2 years ago
Great short hike
Beautiful sandstone slot canyon. It gets tight in areas. Went of the main trail a bit and did some climbing up! So much fun
5.0
Scott Sichler
🥇Top Contributor
Slot Canyon Trail Borrego Springs Campground
almost 3 years ago
Slots O fun
This is a really fun hike. The slot is a little tight in spots but doable by most people. We like to hike out into cliffs beyond the slots for great views of the area.
5.0
Allett Wallets
about 4 years ago
Worth The Stop
Slot Canyon Trail Ca-78 Borrego Springs Ca 92004
This was an entertaining hike. It makes you feel like a kid again. It's a unique experience and a worth while diversion.
4.0
Christine Thompson
almost 5 years ago
Hands Down One Of The Best Adventure
Getting There Map
See tips on using the interactive map.
Turn-offRoad to slot canyon starts here. For visitors without 4WD
and plan to hike, there is a parking area here.
Turn left and go up the wash.
Going straight goes up to the Calcite Mine.
The road ends and the hike begins here.
Slot CanyonThe canyon enters its most narrow section.
Hike EndsMost will end their hike here at a dry waterfall.
Added by Jason Neitzke
Distance: about one mile (no need to rush). Duration: 1-3 hours, depending on your speed. Short hike, easy access and amazing views. No permit required.
The Slot is an amazing short hike located in the Anza Borrego Desert. Drive east on Hwy 78, and about a mile and a half after Borrego Springs Road, turn left onto Buttes Pass Road. Buttes Pass road is a dirt road and not marked well so look carefully. The road is pretty smooth, about a mile in you will take a left at the fork. From there, you will drive about another mile to a parking lot. Sunland park casino restaurant. Two wheel drive vehicles should be fine unless there was a recent rainstorm.
From the parking lot, you will take the trail into the canyon that is directly in front of you. This will be the hardest and steepest part of the hike. There are no trail markers for the Slot. Do not take the trail to the right of the parking lot or you will miss the Slot. Once you are at the bottom, go left and head to where the canyon starts to narrow. As you enter, the walls start to close in and you are taking your bag off to get through some tight passages. Every turn is exciting, it is constantly changing and you are not sure what is going to be around the next bend. The Slot is made of siltstone and is very brittle so watch your footing if you decide to climb around. At the end of the Slot you hit a dirt road, from there you can either turn around and go back through or follow the road and find some other trails. Further down the road there are some awesome wind caves and arches that are worth checking out.
We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more!
Join the communityReviews
Sophia Steen
over 2 years ago
Great short hike
Beautiful sandstone slot canyon. It gets tight in areas. Went of the main trail a bit and did some climbing up! So much fun
5.0
Scott Sichler
🥇Top Contributor
Slot Canyon Trail Borrego Springs Campground
almost 3 years ago
Slots O fun
This is a really fun hike. The slot is a little tight in spots but doable by most people. We like to hike out into cliffs beyond the slots for great views of the area.
5.0
Allett Wallets
about 4 years ago
Worth The Stop
Slot Canyon Trail Ca-78 Borrego Springs Ca 92004
This was an entertaining hike. It makes you feel like a kid again. It's a unique experience and a worth while diversion.
4.0
Christine Thompson
almost 5 years ago
Hands Down One Of The Best Adventure
It is simply amazing! Your weaving in and out of the canyon you find yourself going through tunnels . A must see
5.0
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