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Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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Overview

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to one of the world's premier examples of a fossil reef from the Permian Era. The park is known for its extensive trail network in one of the nation's most pristine wilderness areas. Best known for its unique history, geology, and ecology, the park also boasts the four highest peaks in Texas and a diverse array of flora and fauna. Birding, history, and many other learning opportunities wait visitors in the mountains, canyons, deserts, and dunes of this hidden gem of West Texas.

To learn more about Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers
Hours may vary by season and staffing. Check the park's website for current operating hours.
  • Pine Springs Visitor Center: Open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm (closed Christmas).
  • Frijole Ranch Museum: Staffed intermittently. General hours 8 am to 4:30 pm.
  • McKittrick Canyon Contact Station: Staffed intermittently. Entrance gate open from 8 am to 4:30 pm (MST) and open until 6 pm during daylight savings time.
  • Dog Canyon Ranger Station: Staffed intermittently.

Visiting Tips

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is open year-round and offers a variety of outdoor activities including backpacking, camping, and hiking. While most trails and both of the park's campgrounds are available for use anytime, park facilities have posted hours, and several park locations are designated as day-use only. To find a list of the various park locations and their operating hours, click here.
Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Guadalupe Mountains operates two front country campgrounds. More information on campgrounds can be found here. Individual campsites are all at a first come, first served basis. Group campsites are available by reservation for groups of 10-20 people up to 60 days in advance by calling the Pine Springs Visitor Center at 915-828-3251.

  • Pine Springs Campground: 20 tent sites, 20 RV sites (accommodates up to 50 feet), and 1 stock corral site.
  • Dog Canyon Campground: 9 tent sites, 4 RV sites, 1 stock corral site.

Additionally, the park offers ten backcountry campgrounds for backpackers. More information about each of these sites can be found here.

There is no lodging in the park. The closest lodging options are Dell City, TX or Whites City, NM.

Food & Drink

There are no restaurants or stores located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Water is available at trailheads and visitor centers. Visitors can enjoy the park's picnic areas at Frijole Ranch, Headquarters Visitor Center parking lot, near the restrooms in the Pine Springs Campground, at the McKittrick Canyon contact station, and at Dog Canyon. Note that open fires using wood or charcoal are prohibited anywhere within the park. You may cook with self-contained gas or propane stoves only. There are grills available at the 3 state rest areas located just outside the park.

Other Activities

The park is a wonderful place to look at fossils and learn about Permian Age geology, enjoy bird watching and wildlife observation, delve into nature photography, or enjoy unlimited opportunities for stargazing under pristine night skies. Whether spending the night at one of the park's campgrounds or expanding your tour of the park on horseback, the stunning natural backdrop of Gudalupe Mountains will not disappoint. Consider including a visit to one or more of the locations listed on here.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 3

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Sunset from Guadalupe Peak in December, 2022.

Guadalupe Peak Summit (Signal Peak)

(35) Pine Sp…, TX
gem Favorite About halfway up to the top of the canyon - you can see the fall colors around the lower portion of the trail below.

The Notch Viewpoint

(10) Pine Sp…, TX
gem Favorite Guadalupe Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, USA

Frijole Ranch

(4) Pine Sp…, TX

Recommended Routes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 5

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite About halfway up to the top of the canyon - you can see the fall colors around the lower portion of the trail below.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

The Notch Out-and-Back

9.9 mi 16.0 km 1,092' Up 332.84 m Up 1,092' Down 332.86 m Down

Pine Sp…, TX
Explore in 3D
Favorite Sunrise cloud inversion, Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Difficult Difficult

The Bowl Loop

8.6 mi 13.9 km 2,565' Up 781.76 m Up 2,564' Down 781.54 m Down

Pine Sp…, TX
Explore in 3D
Favorite Sunset from Guadalupe Peak in December, 2022.
Difficult Difficult

Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT)

102.7 mi 165.2 km 14,062' Up 4286.04 m Up 13,060' Down 3980.62 m Down

Pine Sp…, TX
Explore in 3D
Favorite Guadalupe Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, USA
Intermediate Intermediate

Manzanita - Smith Spring Loop

2.5 mi 4.1 km 390' Up 118.91 m Up 389' Down 118.68 m Down

Pine Sp…, TX
Explore in 3D
Favorite This is a fantastic view of the Tejas Trail, looking back at where we had come from.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Texas Evergreen Tour

17.8 mi 28.6 km 4,250' Up 1295.29 m Up 4,249' Down 1295.05 m Down

Pine Sp…, TX
Explore in 3D

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Running

  • 143 Miles 231 Kilometers of Trail
  • 5 Recommended Routes
  • 3 Gems Gems
  • 5 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 24 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 7 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

Weather Averages


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Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 31

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

4.2 mi 6.7 km #1Guadalupe Peak Trail
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX 124 
1.9 mi 3.1 km #2Devil's Hall Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX 50 
11.0 mi 17.7 km #3McKittrick Canyon Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Pine Springs, TX 12 
26.3 mi 42.3 km #4Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT): Guadalupe NP Segment
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
20.1 mi 32.3 km #5Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT): Lincoln NF Segment
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
12.1 mi 19.5 km #6Tejas Trail
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX 11 
11.9 mi 19.1 km #7Bush Mountain Trail
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
4.8 mi 7.7 km #8Permian Reef Geology Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
Intermediate Intermediate
Pine Springs, TX
0.7 mi 1.1 km #9Stock Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
1.8 mi 2.9 km #10Bear Canyon Trail
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX
Difficult Difficult
Pine Springs, TX

Photos of Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 160

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Guadalupe National Park
Sep 30, 2015 near Pine Sp…, TX
El Capitan
Sep 30, 2015 near Pine Sp…, TX
Panorama of McKittrick Canyon, viewed from west of Wilderness Ridge Backcountry Camp. My new favorite spot at GUMO.
Sep 17, 2018 near Pine Sp…, TX
Sunrise cloud inversion, Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Apr 1, 2020 near Pine Sp…, TX
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Apr 1, 2020 near Pine Sp…, TX
Sunset at Wilderness Camp
Dec 28, 2020 near Pine Sp…, TX
Sunset from Guadalupe Peak in December, 2022.
Jan 9, 2023 near Pine Sp…, TX
Guadalupe Peak Trail
Oct 8, 2023 near Pine Sp…, TX
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