Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-23 to 2026-12-17; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna, and the stories of lives shaped through conflict, cooperation and survival.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 86,840 acres (35,143 ha).

Designation: National Park. Listed as "Guadalupe Mountains National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity, natural processes allowed (GAP 1). IUCN category II.

Established: 1966.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Picnicking activity
• Scenic drives & overlooks scenic feature
• Wildflowers scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Backpacking trail
• Hiking trails trail

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

First aid

2 first-aid locations mapped in-park — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Pets Prohibited on Most Trails

Limits

No Drones in National Parks

Park alert: Park Store To Go Cashless

Starting August 14th, 2025 the park store will go cashless. All major credit cards, debit cards and mobile electronic payments will be accepted.

⚠ Caution: Devil's Hall is a Strenuous Hike

The hike to Devil's Hall is rated as strenuous. The portion of the route in the wash requires rock scrambling and is dangerous when wet or if water is present. The wash surface is loose gravel and rocks and may be unstable.

Getting there

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located on the north side of US Hwy 62/180. If you are traveling east from El Paso, TX, we are 110 miles East of the city. Follow US Hwy 62/180 North to the Pine Springs Visitor Center. If you are traveling from Van Horn, TX, you will travel north on US 54 and make a right-hand turn at the junction of US 62/180 to arrive at the park. If you are traveling west from Carlsbad, NM, you will travel on US Hwy 62/180 South and cross into Texas. Follow signs to the park.

Weather & when to go

The Guadalupe Mountains are known for high winds year-round; gusts can reach 60MPH or higher. In winter the mountains experiences occasional, light snowfalls which seldom last more than a day. From May through October, temperatures vary with highs between 80F-100F+ with lows in the 40F-60F range. November to April is generally milder with highs in between 50F-70F with lows in the 30F-50F range. Elevations above 8,000’ will be about 10F cooler than headquarters, with corresponding wind-chill.

Visitor center

Dell City, Texas

Visitor center

Dog Canyon Ranger Station — The Dog Canyon Ranger Station is open intermittently depending on staff availability. Staff and volunteers may be in the area and not necessarily inside the station. — Coming from Texas: Traveling north on Highway 62/180 you will cross the state line into New Mexico. About 27 miles after crossing the state line, you will come up on the junction of Dark Canyon Rd-408. Turning in to Dark Canyon Rd-408 N follow the road for 22 miles to the junction of NM-137 N. At the junction, turn into NM-137 N and follow for 35 miles to the entrance of Dog Canyon.

Visitor center

Dog Canyon Ranger Station

Visitor center

Dog Canyon Ranger Station

Visitor center

Dog Canyon Ranger Station

Visitor center

Dog Canyon Ranger Station

Visitor center

Frijole Horse Corral Trailhead

Visitor center

Frijole Ranch Museum

Visitor center

Frijole Ranch Museum

Visitor center

Frijole Ranch Museum

Visitor center

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

Visitor center

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

Facilities on the park map

11 bench, 1 defibrillator, 2 first aid station, 1 mobility rental, 15 picnic area, 28 restroom, 29 visitor information, 6 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Bush Mountain Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. A favorite of many for the exceptional vistas and western sunsets. Though the campsites at Bush Mountain are semi-protected from high winds, backpackers will find hiking on the exposed trails to reach the campground difficult during periods of high wind activity. Bush Mountain Campground is 6.2 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead vi · 5 campsites · Accessibility: The Bush Mountain Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Pine Top Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. Pine Top is the backcountry campground in closest proximity to the Bowl and offers excellent views of the park's highest peaks. Pine Top is an excellent choice for a single night backpack trip. It is 3.9 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead via the Tejas and Bush Mountain Trails. Elevation gain is 2,300 feet. Though secluded in trees · 8 campsites · Accessibility: The Pine Top Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Tejas Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. The extra distance to the Tejas Wilderness Campground is worth the time for those who wish to stay in a more densely forested surrounding. The tall trees provide deep shade in the morning and late afternoon and protection from high winds aloft. Centrally located, the Tejas Campground is 5.5 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead or 6.2 · 5 campsites · Accessibility: The Tejas Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Guadalupe Peak Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. This primitive campground is located on the Guadalupe Peak Trail, 3.1 miles from the Pine Springs Trailhead, and 1 mile below the Peak. The elevation gain from the trailhead to the campsites is 2,200 feet. The campground is on a small knoll and only minimally protected from high winds. Five designated campsites are defined by tent · 5 campsites · Accessibility: The Guadalupe Peak Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Blue Ridge Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. Blue Ridge Campground is surrounded by ponderosa pine and Douglas fir; wild roses and grassy areas are nearby - a beautiful location and very remote. The distance from Pine Springs Trailhead: via the Tejas & Blue Ridge Trails is 7.8 miles, via the Tejas, Bush Mountain & Blue Ridge Trails is 8.9 miles. · 5 campsites · Accessibility: The Blue Ridge Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Shumard Canyon Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. If you enjoy arid Chihuahuan desert or you find yourself fascinated by the geology of the Guadalupes, consider a backpack trip to this remote location. Though it is 9.0 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead, the elevation gain is much less significant than many of the other trails—though it's by no means flat. Do make sure you are pre · 5 campsites · Accessibility: The Shumard Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Mescalero Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. This campground is near several trails leading in different directions, making it an excellent choice for a "base camp" while exploring the high country. (Listen for wild turkeys off in the distance.) Mescalero is situated in ponderosa pine and brush, and is on a slope overlooking a small drainage. Located on the Tejas Trail, Mesc · 8 campsites · Accessibility: The Mescalero Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Pine Springs Campground The Pine Springs Campground has 20 tent and 13 RV sites available. All campsites are reservable through recreation.gov. Individual campsite cost is $20 per night, per site. There are 2 group sites for groups of 10-20 people. Campground amenities include drinking water and toilets (NO hookups, dump stations or showers). Only cooking stoves are permitted; charcoal, wood fires, and propane firepits a · 35 campsites · Accessibility: The Pine Springs Campground has one tent and one RV accessible site. The bathrooms and campground amphitheater are also accessible.
• Frijole Horse Corral Campground The Frijole Horse Corral Group Campsite is the only facility for horse users on the east side of the park. The visitor horse corrals and campsites may be reserved up to two months in advance of the visit. This camping area is immediately adjacent Highway 62/180 on the Frijole Ranch access road. Due to proximity to both the highway and the access road, this site has little privacy and is subject to · 1 campsite · Accessibility: An accessible parking spot is available. An accessible path leads to the toilet and one accessible tent pad is available.
• Marcus Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. From Dog Canyon, hikers travel through grassy areas then cross Manzanita Ridge to view West Dog Canyon before descending to an elevation equivalent to the starting point. Not frequently used; pay attention to the trail and rock cairns marking the way. The campground is in pinion and juniper, shaded and protected from the wind. The · 5 campsites · Accessibility: The Marcus Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. Travel through the beautiful McKittrick Canyon before beginning the very steep climb up to the ridge. From McKittrick Canyon Trailhead, the distance is 7.6 miles, with the elevation gain (significant for quite some distance) of over 2,700 feet. If you'd like to visit this beautiful ridge without quite the workout, begin instead at · 8 campsites · Accessibility: The McKittrick Ridge Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.
• Dog Canyon Campground Dog Canyon is a two-hour drive from the Pine Springs area. The Dog Canyon Campground sits at 6,300 feet in elevation and has 9 tent and 4 RV sites. There is one group site at Dog Canyon that can be reserved for a group of 10-20 individuals. Campground amenities include drinking water and flush toilets (there are NO hookups, dump stations or showers). Only cooking stoves are permitted; charcoal, wo · 15 campsites

History

Opened

1972

• Park opened