Est. 1972 | Texas | 86,367 acres
At 8,751 feet, Guadalupe Peak of Guadalupe Mountains National Park holds up the roof of Texas. This desert mountain getaway offers rugged beauty at all levels. The backcountry bowl of the Guadalupe Mountains is a relic of a bygone era of Texan biodiversity. Boasting ponderosa forests, elk, bears, eagles and mountain lions, this highland oasis is worlds away from the arid Chihuahuan desert mere miles away—a remarkable ecological transition.
The park has 4 distinct areas each with their own entrance approaching the Guadalupe Mountain range of west Texas. Pine Springs Canyon in the south is the main entrance offering access to the famed Guadalupe Peak and beautiful front country trails up into the mountains. McKittrick Canyon in the east is more limited in trail options, but known for it’s oak groves is just as beautiful with some saying it rivals a New England autumn in the fall. Dog Canyon in the north is a backcountry getaway and alternative approach to the interior mountain trails that connect these three areas. While Dog Canyon has a ranger station, McKittrick Canyon and Pine Springs Canyon both have fully fledged visitor centers.
The fourth and final area of the park, Salt Basin Dunes, lies in the west, far away from the mountains and isolated from the rest of the park attractions. The lure of this area is a small but notable dunefield of pure white gypsum sand, similar to that of White Sands National Park.
Must-see highlights in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
1
Guadalupe Peak Trail—Accessible from Pine Springs Canyon, this rewarding, albeit strenuous, 8.4 mile round trip hike boasts a 3,000 foot elevation gain to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. Plan to spend 6–8 hours on the trail covering multiple ecosystems including the high desert and the mountain forests.
2
El Capitan Trail—Also originating in the Pine Springs Canyon area, El Capitan Trail winds 9.4 miles westward along the foothills south of the mountains providing stunning views of El Capitan, a prominent shoulder of Guadalupe Peak. Even though the trail is long, don’t feel the need to hike the entire length. Gorgeous views present themselves roughly 2 miles from the trailhead. Consider hiking this in the morning for sunrise alpenglow on El Capitan.
3
Devil’s Hall Trail—This adventurous and difficult 2.1-mile route to Devil’s Hall departs from the Pine Springs Visitor Center leading hikers to scramble over rocky washes and up an impressive natural rock staircase before reaching Devil’s Hall, a narrow hallway of steep rock walls made of layered slabs.
4
The Notch—Rising 4.5 miles up McKittrick Canyon Trail the Notch is a dramatic viewpoint with sweeping views into the interior of the Guadalupe Mountains. The approach runs along a seasonal river bed and under mighty pine and oak trees into the higher elevations of the mountains and the upper ridges. Pratt Cabin and Grotto are notable side attractions along the way.
Best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas, the climate is mostly dry and hot, especially at lower elevations, making spring and fall the best months to visit. However, October and March usually see the largest crowds as visitors take advantage of the decent weather and vegetation. Elevation is a significant factor in temperature. High elevations tend to read 5–10ºF cooler than Pine Springs (5,700 feet above sea level) and the desert floor runs 5–10ºF warmer.
- Spring (March to May): Spring in Guadalupe Mountains is pleasant with abundant sun and temperatures maxing out at 65ºF in March and 85ºF in May. Desert and mountain wildflowers bloom during this time, with peak color in April and May.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is a mix of hot sunny days and torrential rainstorms. June reaches into the 90sºF, the hottest temperatures of the year, as summer showers come later. In July and August, the common afternoon thunderstorms can offer a respite from the heat, lowering the temperature 5–10ºF. Though, take caution as lightning can strike at higher elevations and flash floods can be destructive at lower elevations.
- Fall (September to November): Autumn in Guadalupe Mountains is generally referred to as the prettiest time of year. With summer rains tapering off, a second wave of wildflowers erupts across the park. And as temperatures cool down, maple and oak trees in McKittrick Canyon turn bright red and gold in October challenging the fame of fall colors of New England.
- Winter (December to February): Winter is the windy season, with typical days recording 30mph winds. Occasionally, gusts can reach up to 80mph. Snow and frost have been known to appear in the high regions, but temperatures in the foothills usually average lows of 35ºF. These drier months see lots of sun
Note: During busier seasons, parking can fill up by mid-morning. If visiting during holidays, weekends, or prominent vacation times, have a backup plan if parking is at capacity. While Pine Springs Canyon has the largest parking lot, it often fills up first. Try McKittrick Canyon if space is not available here.
How long should I visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
Guadalupe Mountains has over 80 miles of trails to explore, but the highlights can be seen in 2–3 days. Consider spending a day in Pine Springs Canyon and a separate day in McKittrick Canyon. Each with their own network of trails, attractions and accompanying visitor center there is plenty to do in each area. An optional third day would allow more time to explore Pine Springs Canyon as its trails tend to be longer in distance.
Getting to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Pine Springs and McKittrick are prominently located on Highway 62 about 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas, and 50 miles south of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Dog Canyon is only accessible from the north in New Mexico, a 2 hour drive from the Pine Springs Visitor Center.
If arriving by air, El Paso International Airport (ELP) is the closest and cheapest commercial airport in the vicinity. Highway 62 from El Paso offers direct access to Pine Springs.
Where to stay in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Lodging—There is no lodging or dining within the park. The nearest accommodations are 50 miles north in Carlsbad, New Mexico or an equal distance south in Van Horn, Texas.
Campgrounds—Guadalupe Mountains National Park hosts 2 developed campgrounds with options for backcountry camping upon request. All campsites are reserved online and fill up quickly. Both campgrounds offer toilets and drinking water. Propane stoves are permitted, though charcoal and wood fires are prohibited for the wildfire danger they impose.
- Pine Springs Campground—Pine Springs Canyon, 35 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
- Dog Canyon Campground—Dog Canyon, 15 sites (RV and tent), open year-round
When should I book?
Overnight accommodations will be the limiting factor, especially if camping at Pine Springs Campground. Because it offers the only cheap, convenient place to stay near the park, it is highly competitive. Peak seasons (March and October), holidays, and weekends begin filling up 6 months in advance. Though if your plans are flexible, some availability can be found 2–3 months out as campsites shift and open up. Both campgrounds are reservable 6 months in advance. Outside of the popular months, campsites are rather easy to secure. Summer stays can be reserved a week in advance or perhaps a day in advance. If no campsites are available, consider lodging in Carlsbad, New Mexico, or Van Horn, Texas.
How much should I budget?
A 2–3 day trip to Guadalupe Mountains booked 2 months in advance can cost roughly $500 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:
| Roundtrip Airfare to El Paso | $150–$350 |
| Car Rental | $65–$100/day (not including taxes/fees) |
| Nearby Hotel | $100–$250/night (not including taxes/fees) |
| Campgrounds | $20/night |
| Meals | $10–$20/meal |
| Park Entrance Fee | $10/person (16 years and older) |
Packing list for Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Guadalupe Mountains National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, extra water/food, sunscreen, sunglasses, light jacket and a wide-brimmed hat.
Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Guadalupe Mountains.
For more detailed information on Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visit the official park website.
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