Ultimate Guide to The Slot, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

In this guide, we cover the best hiking routes (there is more than one way to do this hike), and important planning details, such as how to get here, how much does it cost, and more.

The Slot Hiking Stats

Distance: 1 to 2.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 330 feet (if you do the full loop)
Length of Time: 1 to 2 hours

Map of The Slot hiking trail. This is the full loop. To do this hike, start at the trailhead and hike the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. You can hike the entire loop or turn around after hiking through the slot canyon.

The Slot Elevation Profile (the full loop)

There are two different ways to do this hike: out-and-back and as a loop. We will discuss these two routes in more detail later in this guide, but if you want to take the shortest, fastest route, hike to the far end of the slot canyon and then retrace your steps back through the canyon to the parking lot. The total hiking distance comes in at about 1 mile.

If you hike the full loop, the total distance is just over two miles. You are not repeating any part of the trail (although hiking the slot canyon would be just as much fun the second time), and you get some great views of the surrounding area from the hiking trail.

How to Get to The Slot

The Slot is located in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near Highway 78.

On Google Maps, the trailhead is labeled Slot Canyon Trail, so you can simply type this in and follow Google directions to this point.

The trailhead is located at the end of Buttes Pass Road. Note: the park brochure calls this road Buttes Pass Road but the northern portion of this road is labeled as Borrego Mountain Wash on Google. From Highway 78, look for a dirt road with a small sign that reads “Buttes Pass.” This road is 2 miles long and it is a gravel road that is suitable for standard vehicles.

The road leads to the parking lot. There are restrooms here as well as a pay station.

The Slot parking lot

How Much Does it Cost to Hike The Slot

There is a $10 day use fee per vehicle to hike The Slot, or visit the other sites in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

In the parking lot, there is a pay station. There are envelopes that you insert your $10 fee (cash only and there is no way to get change here…unless you can get it from another hiker).

Fill out the envelope with your information, including the make and model of your vehicle. Detach the parking pass (the tab on the envelope). Insert the envelope, with your payment, into the black box and put the parking pass on your dashboard. This is your proof of payment and it will cover any other sites you visit on this same day.

You can also pay the fee using the App (there is a sign next to the pay station with information on how to do this). However, cellular service is spotty so I wouldn’t rely on this. Make sure you have $10 just in case you don’t have cellular service.

Get Here Early!

This is very important.

There is now crowd control at The Slot.

During our visit, a park ranger was stationed on Buttes Pass Road and was turning cars away once the main parking lot filled. On our visit (end of February 2022), this started around 9:45 am.

I recommend getting here before 9 am but even earlier is better. We arrived at 8:30 and there were just a few cars in the parking lot.

By getting here early, not only will you get a parking space, but The Slot will be less crowded. Many people do this hike out-and-back and the two-way traffic can create traffic jams.

Hiking The Slot

The trailhead is located next to the parking lot. Below is a view of the trailhead.

The trail briefly heads uphill before making a turn to the left and dropping down into the slot canyon. Despite what you might have read online, this trail is now well-marked and easy to follow.

At first, the walls are low and the canyon is wide. It doesn’t take long until you enter the best part of the slot canyon. Walls of siltstone rise up around you. As you head deeper into the canyon, The Slot will narrow, the walls become scalloped and curving, making this a thrilling place to explore.

As you hike through the slot canyon, you will have to squeeze through a few tight spots and do some easy rock scrambling. If you are here with kids, they should do just fine, and their smaller size might make it even easier for them.

Here are a few more photos of The Slot.

There is one point where you will rock scramble up and over an obstacle. You climb a little higher for this view down into the canyon.

Approaching the end of the slot canyon.

Once the canyon widens and the walls get shorter, you are approaching the end of the slot canyon. At this point, you have a choice to make.

Hiking The Slot Out-and-Back

If you choose to turn around at the end of the slot canyon, the total hiking distance is 0.8 to 1 miles (depending on where you turn around) with a total ascent of 100 feet. It will be an uphill walk back to the parking lot.

If it is crowded, consider hiking the full loop rather than going out-and-back. This will cut down on the number of people in the slot canyon and make it a better experience for everyone. It can be tricky in some spots, passing other hikers in the canyon.

We chose to keep going. Sure, hiking back through the slot canyon would be lots of fun, but we were curious about the rest of the hiking trail. Plus, it only adds on one mile.

Hiking The Slot as a Loop

Once you exit the slot canyon, continue down the wash. At this point, the trail is deep gravel and you are totally exposed to the sun. In fact, there is zero shade for the rest of the hike.

The wash

When the wash meets up with the Jeep road, turn left to walk this road back to the parking lot. You know you are in the right spot if you see a steep, sandy road heading uphill to the top of a plateau. This is also the hiking trail.

Jeep Road

This is the worst part of the hike. It’s a short but strenuous hike up this hill and the deep sand makes things even harder. But once at the top, the views are very nice and it’s a flat walk back to the parking lot.

Looking down the Jeep road from the top of the hill.

It may not be that exciting, hiking along a Jeep Road, but we loved the views from this part of the hike.

View from the Jeep road

The Jeep road. In the distance is the parking lot for The Slot.

The Jeep Road meets up with the parking area, ending the hike. The entire loop is 2 miles long.

What to Bring

Hiking shoes. You can also get by with a good pair of walking shoes or running shoes for this hike.

Water and snacks. Bring 1 liter of water in the summer.

Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. You will be in the shade while hiking through the slot canyon. If you choose to do the full loop, you will be exposed to the sun for about 1.5 miles of the hike.

Camera. Even a smartphone will do.

Pack all of this in a small backpack. A large backpack will make it difficult to hike through the narrower sections of the slot canyon.

Don’t forget your $10 cash to pay the park fee!

If you have any questions about how to hike The Slot canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to California

ANZA-BORREGO DESERT: If you only have one day in the park and want to see the highlights, read our article How to Spend One Day in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to the Mojave National Preserve.

SAN DIEGO: Planning a visit to San Diego? Learn about the top experiences in the city in our article Best Things to Do in San Diego. San Diego also makes a great location to work remotely.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP: Go on a road trip from Las Vegas to San Diego, visiting Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks, as well as Anza-Borrego Desert and the Mojave National Preserve.

DEATH VALLEY: Here are 5 reasons why Death Valley should be the next national park you visit.