All About Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, in West Texas, is home to the highest peaks in the state. While there isn’t much around the park entrance, there are miles of trails to travel.
What to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Best Trails and Hikes at Guadalupe Mountains
The hiking trails vary widely in their skill level and length. The most popular trails start from the Pine Springs Visitor Center area
Popular Trails
- Devil’s Hall Trail
- Pinery Trail
- El Capitan Trail
- Guadalupe Peak Trail
- McKittrick Canyon Trail
Devil's Hall
Things to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Visit the Frijole Ranch Area: The Frijole Ranch area is home to the Frijole Ranch History Museum which is the old park headquarters and a historic site of the Native Americans (the Mescalero Apaches) and early ranching community.
- Check out the Wilderness Areas: There are two distinct areas in Guadalupe National Park. You can visit the mountainous areas around the Guadalupe Mountains as well as the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert lowlands.
- Go Backpacking: There are multiple opportunities to go backpacking throughout the Guadalupe Mountains. There are 10 designated campgrounds that you can choose from while backpacking through the park. If you are planning to go off-trail, you must obtain a Special Use Permit from the Ranger Station.
What to see at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains Visitor Centers
There are three visitor centers in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Pine Springs
The Pine Springs Visitor Center is the park’s main visitor center, the park headquarters, and the ranger station. This is where you can pay your entrance fees, pay camping fees, tour the small museum, and visit the park store. Pine Springs is also the primary starting point for many of the trails in the high country area of the park.
Passport Book Stamp Location
Dog Canyon Station
The Dog Canyon Station is only open when there are staff or volunteers available. You can always visit to pick up brochures and information, but the rangers may be out patrolling trails or the Dog Canyon campgrounds instead of manning the visitor center.
Passport Book Stamp Location
McKittrick Canyon
The third visitor center is the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center which is only staffed during the peak months in the spring and fall. When there aren’t rangers at the station, you can view the outdoor exhibits and get a park brochure.
Passport Book Stamp Location
National Park Passport Book Stamp Locations
- Dog Canyon Ranger Station
- McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center
- Pine Springs Visitor Center
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Basics
400 Pine Canyon
Salt Flat, TX 79847
$10 per person
Under 16 are free
Mountain Time Zone
1972
Location, Phone Number, and Address
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located at 400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, TX 79847. It is located in West Texas in the United States, near the New Mexico border, and part of the Chihuahuan Desert.
The park can be reached by phone at 915-828-3251.
What are the Entrance Fees for Guadalupe Mountains?
If you don’t have a National Park pass, you will have to pay an entrance fee. It costs $10 per person to enter the park.
Current as of July 2024
What Time Zone is Guadalupe Mountains National Park in?
Guadalupe Mountains is strange when it comes to the time zone. The park is considered to be in the Mountain Time Zone, though it’s likely your phone may flip back and forth between Mountain Time and Central Time.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the spring and fall. Even at the higher elevations, it gets very warm in the summer with highs near 90. In the winter, the temperatures go as low as the low 30s to high 20s. November through March is also the windy season at the park. High winds can make some of the trails, especially those going to mountain peaks, dangerous to traverse.
When did Guadalupe Mountains become a National Park?
Guadalupe Mountains became part of the National Park Service on September 30, 1972.
How Big is Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
The entirety of Guadalupe Mountains National Park is about 135 square miles.
Park Website
Always check the official park site for the most up-to-date information, hours, prices, and conditions.
Travel Tips for Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Driving Through Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Contrary to most National Parks, there is not a road that passes through the main part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Most of the park is seen by hiking some of the trails, not via a scenic drive.
Where are the National Park Entrances?
There are five access points for Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Pine Springs, Frijole Ranch, McKittrick Canyon, Dog Canyon, and the Salt Basin Dunes. Each entrance offers a unique view of Western Texas, and you can experience mountains, deserts, and spectacular vistas from each.
What is the Nearest City to Guadalupe Mountains?
The closest city to the park is Carlsbad, New Mexico, which is about 50 miles north of the park entrance. This is also one of the closest places to get gas and other goods. There is no gas available in the park and surrounding area. Make sure to have a full tank of gas before heading to the park.
What is the Nearest Airport to Guadalupe Mountains?
The closest major airport to the park is in El Paso, Texas, which is about 110 miles from the park entrance.
Itineraries including Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Lodging Near Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Where to Stay
The closest place to stay is in Carlsbad, New Mexico. There are a lot of hotel and VRBO options in the town.
Campgrounds in the Area
There are three developed campgrounds in the park, one that can only be accessed by groups with horses. The other two campgrounds are the Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds. Both of those campgrounds allow tents and RVs.
What are the Closest National Parks to Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is only about 25 miles or a 30 minute drive.
- White Sands National Park in New Mexico is 190 miles or about a 3 hour drive.
- Big Bend National Park in Texas is 235 miles or about a 3.5 hour drive.
Facts about Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Plants and Animals of Big Bend
There are over 1000 species of plants in the park, including wildflowers, shrubs, cacti, and succulents.
The park is also home to many animals including multiple species of mammals such as mule deer, mountain lions, and the black bear. Some of the bird species in the park include wild turkey, the great horned owl, and hummingbirds.
What is the Highest Point? What is the Lowest Point?
The highest point in the park is also the highest point in the state of Texas. The Guadalupe Peak summits at 8,751 feet above sea level.
Guadalupe Mountains Fun Facts
- The park is known for its Salt Basin Dunes, grassland full of wildlife, and the mountains made of fossilized reef.
- Texas's highest peak is the top of Guadalupe Mountain on the Guadalupe Peak Trail
- At the top of the peak, you can view El Capitan Peak to the South
- The McKittrick Canyon Trail in the north is known for fall foliage