The Great Pit of Carkoon
The Great Pit of Carkoon is a dangerous, infamous location in Star Wars lore, specifically featured in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. It is a large sand-filled pit in the Dune Sea on the desert planet Tatooine and serves as the lair of the Sarlacc, a terrifying creature that devours its victims alive.
The Sarlacc
The Great Pit of Carkoon is home to a massive, tentacled beast known as the Sarlacc, which buries most of its body underground, leaving only its gaping, beak-lined maw visible. The Sarlacc’s digestive process is infamously slow—victims are said to be kept alive for a thousand years while being gradually digested. This horrifying fate adds to the terror associated with the pit.
Notable Events at the Pit
The most famous event at the Great Pit of Carkoon occurs in Return of the Jedi, when Jabba the Hutt attempts to execute Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca by throwing them into the Sarlacc. However, Luke, with help from Lando Calrissian, R2-D2, and Princess Leia, stages a dramatic counterattack. During the battle:
- Luke fights off Jabba’s guards using his green lightsaber, which R2-D2 launches to him.
- Han Solo, still recovering from carbonite blindness, accidentally knocks Boba Fett into the Sarlacc's maw.
- Leia strangles Jabba with the chains he used to imprison her.
- The heroes destroy Jabba’s sail barge, killing many of his minions and escaping.
Legends and Canon Differences
In Star Wars Legends (expanded universe stories before Disney's canon reset), Boba Fett survives being swallowed by the Sarlacc. He escapes using his Mandalorian armor, weapons, and sheer determination. In the Disney canon, The Book of Boba Fett confirms that he also escapes in this timeline, burning his way out of the Sarlacc’s stomach using his flamethrower.
Cultural Significance
The Great Pit of Carkoon is one of Star Wars’ most iconic locations, symbolizing Jabba’s brutality and Tatooine’s harshness. It also serves as the setting for one of Luke Skywalker’s most heroic moments and one of the franchise’s most exciting action sequences.
Filming the Great Pit of Carkoon in the Imperial Sand Dunes
The Great Pit of Carkoon scenes in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi were filmed in Buttercup Valley, a section of the Imperial Sand Dunes (also known as the Algodones Dunes) in southeastern California, near the Arizona border. These dunes, among the largest in North America, provided the perfect real-world setting for Tatooine’s Dune Sea.
The Imperial Sand Dunes were chosen for their vast, shifting sands, which closely resembled the desolate desert world of Tatooine. Filming took place in Buttercup Valley, where the massive Jabba’s sail barge set was constructed. This required a large crew and heavy equipment, making it one of the most ambitious outdoor sets in Star Wars history.
However, the desert environment posed challenges. Extreme heat, blowing sand, and logistical difficulties made filming difficult, as moving crew, cast, and equipment across the dunes required careful planning. After production wrapped, the set was dismantled and buried to restore the natural landscape.
The Imperial Sand Dunes have since been used in other films and TV shows, including Dune (1984) and The Mandalorian. Today, the area remains a popular destination for off-roading, camping, and sightseeing, but for Star Warsfans, it will always be remembered as the home of the Great Pit of Carkoon.
This Cache
This cache will take you to an area where lots of debris of the Great Pit can be found. The fiberglass material found near the coordinates is believed to be the remnants of the Sarlacc Pit. Please feel free to take some pieces as it is considered litter and they also serve as awesome souvenirs. There are some small pieces inside this cache to take; please leave the biggest one to weigh the container down. Please rehide well.
Special thanks to FATL0L0 for helping maintain this cache.
WARNING: This geocache is extremely difficult to access and should only be attempted by those prepared for the challenge. Reaching it requires a 4x4 vehicle, an ARC, or a high-clearance tub. Proceed with caution and use sound judgment. The geocache owner assumes no responsibility for any injuries, accidents, or damage incurred during your attempt. You undertake this journey at your own risk.