Carlsbad Caverns National Park · New Mexico

WC VISTA TRL

0.1 mi of trail, end to end · 4,251 ft–4,259 ft · asphalt surface · trail class Fully Developed

Exhibits

Along the way Catclaw Juniper Lechuguilla Mariolla Sotol Walnut Canyon Vista Trail 500 feet

Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail the Park Service's write-up

5 Minutes · dogs allowed

Start Walnut Canyon Overlook Trailhead

A photo of a sotol desert plant in the foreground and Walnut Canyon. — View from Walnut Canyon Overlook. Photo: NPS / Eymard Bangcoro

This paved walkway provides a scenic view into Walnut Canyon along a short trail of 180 yards (165 m). This easy trail has an elevation change of 22 feet (7 m). The trailhead is located along the paved road to the visitor center.

Accessibility Trail is narrow and steep.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 18 trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park Find a trail On the parks map Park on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.