Guadalupe Mountains National Park Photo: JYB Devot / CC BY-SA 4.0
United States › Texas

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

ByWilderness Experts

The Guadalupe Mountains rise abruptly from the Chihuahuan Desert of far west Texas, a rugged, wind-scoured range built from an ancient fossilized reef and crowned by Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. Quiet and demanding, the park hides the surprising green oasis of McKittrick Canyon amid the desert, blazing gold each fall, and offers some of the finest wilderness hiking in the Southwest.

Fast facts

  • Established: authorized 1966; opened 1972
  • Size: about 86,400 acres (350 km²) in far west Texas
  • High point: Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 feet (2,667 m), the highest in Texas
  • Geology: an exposed Permian fossil reef, the Capitan Reef
  • Gateway: about 110 miles (180 km) east of El Paso via US-62/180
  • Managed by: National Park Service

The landscape

The range is the exposed remnant of a 260-million-year-old reef, now a high desert massif of limestone canyons, escarpments and a forested crest. The desert floor of cactus and agave gives way in sheltered McKittrick Canyon to maples and oaks fed by a spring-fed stream, while the high country holds relict conifer forest, a striking layering of desert, canyon and mountain worlds.

Best time to go

Fall is the signature season, when McKittrick Canyon’s maples turn brilliant and temperatures ease; spring is mild and good for hiking too. Summer is very hot and often fiercely windy, so start early and carry extra water. Winter can bring cold, snow and high winds to the exposed heights.

Getting there and around

The park sits on US-62/180 about 110 miles (180 km) east of El Paso, with the Pine Springs visitor center and campground as the base. There are no roads into the high country and few services, so a vehicle gets you to the trailheads and the rest is on foot. Come fully self-supplied.

Things to do

Climb the strenuous switchbacks to Guadalupe Peak for the top-of-Texas view, walk the gentler McKittrick Canyon trail to the historic Pratt Cabin and the Grotto, and hike Devil’s Hall and the dunes of the west side. Backpackers head into the high wilderness for solitude and dark skies, with the park’s trails among the best in the region.

Staying safe

Heat, sun and relentless wind are the main hazards, and there is no water on the trails. Carry far more than you expect to need, start early, and turn back before you are spent. Trails are steep and exposed, storms can bring lightning and cold, and the remoteness means you must be self-sufficient.

Know before you go

An entrance fee applies, backcountry camping needs a permit, and services are minimal, so carry water, food and fuel. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions and permits with the National Park Service before your trip.

Navigation
Coordinates
31.9068, -104.8683
Magnetic declination
6.7° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

37 places in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it.

Getting there 1

Ranger station

On the trail 22

Trailheads

Campgrounds

Picnic sites

Sights 14

Viewpoint

Heritage site

Point of interest

Peaks 11

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeWeekend backpackingCar campingBackcountry
Terrain
DesertMountainsForest
Key hazards
Extreme heat & sunHigh windsDehydrationSteep exposed trailsNo water on the trails
Best seasons
Fall (foliage), Spring
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous
Access / trailheads
In far west Texas on US-62/180, about 110 miles (180 km) east of El Paso; the Pine Springs visitor center is the main hub. Services are minimal, so come prepared.
Water
Carry all your water; there is essentially none on the trails or in the backcountry.
Cell / satellite coverage
Little to no cell service. Carry a map and share your plans.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Contact park rangers; life-threatening emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Per-person entrance fee (America the Beautiful pass accepted); backcountry and wilderness camping require a permit.
Leave No Trace
Stay on trails, pack out all waste, protect fragile canyon and mountain habitat, and follow Leave No Trace.
Conditions by month

September This month

Average high80°F(27°C)
Average low58°F(14°C)

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Pine Springs station, 3 miles (5 km) away at 5,591 feet (1,704 m). Conditions change with elevation: expect it colder higher up.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-07-21