Was up at Rattlesnake Springs picnic area. No one there. Restroom open and clean as rest of the park. Please dont swarm and trash our local parks. Take your trash with you. Gravel road you can hike from picnic area to way back by the pond. Enjoy, leave no trace so our parks will stay open.

We didnt see a single car or other person while hiking this trail in may... amazing plants and wildlife and stunning views, a great way to round out your trip to the park... many loose rocks so make sure you have good hiking boots!

Excellent hike that starts of hard for the first two miles then get easy as you work to the top of the canyon. From there its fairly flat as you follow old jeep trails and rock covered roads.

Simple trail, not too steep. Little over a mile in and after a split to the left we found 2-3 places to set up tents.

Small parking area at the western end of the Reef Top Circle, a primitive loop road running west from the developed area of the park. Trailhead offers hiking and backpacking access to the Rattlesnake Canyon area, a remote section of the Carlsbad backcountry open to hiking and primitive camping. Striking and reasonably accessible desert scenery for day-hikes, though longer overnight trips require technical gear and experience. Either way, good maps and lots of water are essential.