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Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a remote park in West Texas known for its stunning natural beauty. It’s located about 100 miles east of El Paso and a half hour south of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.
I have to admit – I really dropped the ball on my planning for Guadalupe Mountains. We spent a half day there when it really should have been at least two. We were expecting to roll into the park, see the most easily accessible parts, and move on. The problem is, the best parts of Guadalupe Mountains are deep in the heart of the park. It’s a hiking and backpacking park rather than a “stop and see the scenery” park. I’ll definitely be back to see more.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee to Guadalupe Mountains National Park is US$10 per adult aged 16 or over (as of December 2023) and is good for seven days. Interagency passes cover the holder and three adults. You can pay by cash or credit card at the Pine Springs Visitor Center or by cash or credit card at self-pay stations any trailhead. If paying at a trailhead, put the cash in a green fee envelope and deposit it in the collection safe. The green fee stub or a valid interagency pass must be displayed in your vehicle for the duration of your visit to the park. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is open year-round.
Visitor Centers
There are two visitor centers and a ranger station at the park. The main visitor center is the Pine Springs Visitor Center, located just off US 62. It’s open year-round. There’s a museum about the wildlife found in the park as well as a water bottle station and gift shop. It’s also where you can pay entrance and camping fees.
The McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center sits a short drive past a gate on the road leading to McKittrick Canyon. It’s open year-round depending on staff availability. There are outdoor exhibits and a video.
Finally, the Dog Canyon Ranger Station is located in the most remote part of the park. It’s only open when staff and volunteers are available. There’s a water bottle station and you can pick up maps and brochures.
Camping
Although we didn’t camp and just passed through for the day, there are three developed campgrounds at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Two of them are for tents and RVs while the third is only for groups with horses. Each one is open year-round. There are no showers in the park.
Pine Springs Campground is located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center. There are 20 tent sites and 13 RV sites. They cost US$20 per night (as of December 2023) and can be reserved up to six months in advance. Pine Springs Campground features drinking water and flush toilets.
Dog Canyon Campground is located in the remote Dog Canyon area. There are nine tent sites and four RV sites. They cost US$20 per night (as of December 2023) and can be reserved up to six months in advance. Dog Canyon Campground features drinking water and flush toilets.
Frijole Horse Corral Campground is located on the east side of the park on the road to Frijole Ranch. It has a group camping site with a horse corral for up to 10 horses. It costs US$60 per night (as of December 2023) and includes use of the horse corral. The group site is limited to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 people per night. Reservations are required up to six months in advance.
Activities
Hiking, stargazing, photography, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities are available. Check the official website for more information on these activities.
Safety
My best advice is to take plenty of water and use sunscreen. The desert heat can be brutal, especially at mid-day. Fill up your water bottles and make sure you have enough with you before hiking. Start your hikes early in the day if possible.
Driving
Unlike many national parks, there’s no scenic drive at Guadalupe Mountains. The closest thing that comes to a scenic drive is US 62, which runs along the east side of the park. You can stop at the El Capitan Lookout to get a great view of El Capitan. It’s the 10th highest peak in Texas and was a landmark on the Butterfield Stage Route.
