Guadalupe Mountains National Park safeguards the world's finest example of a fossilized reef, a surprisingly complex and unique assemblage of flora and fauna, and West Texas' only legally designated wilderness. Here, one can experience solitude, tranquility, and the joy of finding plants and animals whose mastery of survival renews our sense of wonder.
The Basics
Hours:
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. The following offers specific information about various park locations and their operating hours:
Headquarters Visitor Center
The Headquarters Visitor Center is located at Pine Springs and can be accessed via U.S. Highway 62/180 between Carlsbad, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. The visitor center is open daily except Christmas Day. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM MST, and 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM MDT.
Frijole Ranch
Frijole Ranch is located 1 mile east of the Headquarters Visitor Center off U.S. Highway 62/180. Visitors are welcome to drive to the ranch site year-round, walk the grounds, see the spring house and one-room school, or enjoy a picnic under large shade trees. A small museum is located in the old ranch house, and is staffed intermittently with hours generally from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The museum features key information and exhibits on local history.
Vehicle length at Frijole Ranch is limited to 21 feet due to small parking area.
McKittrick Canyon (Day-use)
The entrance road for McKittrick canyon is 7 miles east of the park's Headquarters Visitor Center on U.S. Highway 62/180. McKittrick Canyon is a day-use area; the entrance gate is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (MST) and open until 6:00 PM during daylight savings time (MDT).
Dog Canyon
Dog Canyon is open year-round, and is located on the north side of the park. Dog Canyon may be accessed via NM State Road 137, 70 miles from Carlsbad, NM or 110 miles from the park headquarters at Pine Springs. You may also reach Dog Canyon by exiting U.S. highway 62/180 22 miles south of the park on Texas FM road 1576 to NM State Road 137 (note: 31 miles of this route is a gravel/dirt road).
Dog Canyon has a small ranger station where visitors may obtain backcountry permits or information about the area. The ranger station is staffed intermittently, however a park ranger lives on premises. The phone number at Dog Canyon is: (505) 981-2418.
Williams Ranch (Day-use)
Visitors may access the 4X4 road to Williams Ranch by checking out a key at the Headquarters Visitor Center during normal business hours. Only high ground clearance 4X4 vehicles are allowed. Williams Ranch is designated day-use only; no overnight parking or camping is permitted. Gate keys must be returned to the Headquarters Visitor Center the same day.
Salt Basin Dunes (Day-use)
Recently acquired by the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the Salt Basin Dunes offer visitors the opportunity to travel to an area of austere beauty and isolation. Visitors may check out a gate key at the Headquarters Visitor Center during normal business hours. The distance to the dunes is nearly 50 miles one-way; 7.5 miles of which is on an unpaved county road. No overnight parking or camping is allowed. Gate keys must be returned to the Headquarters Visitor Center, or NPS contact station in Dell City, Texas the same day.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in far West Texas on U.S. Highway 62/180. The driving distance is 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas, or 56 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Visitors traveling to Dog Canyon, on the park's north side, can access the area via New Mexico State Road 137.
Climate
Visitors may generally expect relatively hot summers, calm, mild autumn weather, and cool to cold weather in winter and early spring. Snow storms, freezing rain, or fog may occur in winter or early spring. Frequent high wind warnings are issued winter through spring. Late summer monsoons produce thunderstorms. Cool nights, even in summer.
Pine Springs Campground Located just off U.S. Highway 62/180 near the Headquarters Visitor Center, Pine Springs Campground is a simple, desert camping area situated at the base of the mountain.
Campground conveniences include: potable water, accessible flush-toilet restrooms , utility sink, pay telephones, and a drink machine. There are no showers available in the campground.
Tent campers have a choice of 20 leveled, gravel sites. Small junipers and oaks partially shade most of the sites and each site has a picnic table. Numbers are limited to 6 people or 2 tents per site.
The RV camping area is a paved parking lot with 19 sites to choose from. RV sites are defined by painted lines and numbers on the pavement. There are no hook-ups and there is no dump station. RV water tanks can be filled from an outside water faucet near the registration board. RV campsite #21 is wheelchair accessible.
Dog Canyon Campground Dog Canyon is in a secluded, forested canyon on the north side of the park. Due to a slightly higher elevation, and protected location beneath steep cliff walls, it remains cooler than Pine Springs campground in the summer, and sheltered from strong gusty winds in winter and spring. The campground has 9 tent sites and 4 RV sites (no hookups, no dump station). Restrooms have sinks and flush toilets, but no showers.
Group campsites There are two group campsites available at Pine Springs, and one at Dog Canyon for organized groups with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 people per site. The fee is $3.00 per person. The fee for Golden Age and Golden Access Passport holders is $1.50 per person. Group campsites are available by reservation up to 60 days in advance. Call (915) 828-3251, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM daily, Mountain Standard Time. Due to the small size of park campgrounds, group campsite users may not overflow into family campsites.
With over 80 miles of hiking trails and 10 backcountry campgrounds, Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers outstanding backpacking opportunities. All backpackers must obtain a backcountry use permit and pay an entrance fee prior to entering the backcountry. All trips require preparation. Improper equipment, poor conditioning, and disregard for unpredictable weather changes can result in an unpleasant or dangerous outing. Respect for the land you hike through will protect the park for you and future visitors.
Over 80 miles of hiking trails offer easy nature walks through desert flora; more moderate hikes follow canyons and reach riparian oases, and strenuous all day hikes can take you into high country forest or to the "Top of Texas". Each is unique - the magic of Guadalupe Mountains National Park awaits you.
Protection of park resources is everyone's responsibility. Please contribute to the conservation efforts.
Stay on the trail; cutting switchbacks causes unnecessary erosion.
Carry out all litter, including cigarette butts, and toilet paper.
Removal of any resource is illegal. Take nothing except memories and photographs; leave only footprints.
Visit Safely Consider the climate, consider the terrain, and prepare to enjoy both.
Bring food and plenty of water.
Wear sunscreen and a hat.
Carry a trail map.
Anticipate sudden weather changes and pack protective clothing such as rain gear.
Although the diversity of ecosystems in the Guadalupe Mountains allows for an incredible variety of wildlife, animals are not as commonly encountered, as many people would expect. This is due primarily to hot, dry, desert conditions present throughout much of the park. Most animals in desert ecosystems are nocturnal, and are most active after dark, or during early daylight hours when conditions are much cooler. It is often easier to observe animal signs than to see the animals themselves. Look for tracks, scat, rubbings or diggings, nests and dens.
Some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the park are around the few permanent water sources. Smith Springs, Manzanita Spring, and McKittrick Canyon are easily accessed, and are places where animals are frequently encountered.
Mule deer live throughout the park, and are often seen browsing near the campground or along park trails. Occasionally, especially in winter months, elk may be seen grazing near springs or along the highway corridor. Other mammals that may be seen include coyotes, the gray fox, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, ringtails, and rock squirrels. Lucky visitors will occasionally encounter a mountain lion or a pack of javalinas. Though black bears also live in the high country, they are rarely observed.
During the warmer months, reptiles are commonly seen. Lizards, such as the Chihuahuan spotted whiptail, the prairie lizard, or the collared lizard are frequently encountered as they scurry across the desert floor. Watch for the mountain short-horned lizard in the higher elevations. Rattlesnakes, like the western diamondback and black-tailed rattlesnake are often seen along many of the park trails.
Horseback Riding
The park offers diverse riding opportunities. Sixty percent of the trails are open to stock use. Those closed to stock are difficult to maintain, or pass through unique and fragile areas intolerant of such use.
There are no horses or pack animals for hire in or near the park; you must bring your own stock. All rides require thorough preparation. Improper equipment, poor conditioning, and disregard for weather conditions can result in an unpleasant or dangerous ride. Respect for the environment you ride through will help further the mission of protecting park resources for you and for future generations.
Corrals and Camping
Stock corrals are available at Dog Canyon and Frijole Ranch, near the Headquarters Visitor Center. Each has four pens and will accommodate a maximum of 10 animals.
Tent pads and RV camping (no hookups) are available at the Frijole corrals. At Dog Canyon, vehicles may be parked in designated locations near the corrals. A camping fee is required for overnight camping while using the horse corrals. You are required to camp near your stock at the corrals.
All stock trips must start and end at the trailheads located at these two corrals. Stock may not be transported by trailer to any other trailheads.
Riding is limited to day trips only. All stock must return to the corrals each night.
Permits and Fees
The park entrance fee is $3.00 per person, 16 years of age or older, and is good for 7 days. A backcountry use permit is required for all stock use. You can get on at the visitors center.
Planning Your Trip
All stock should be properly shod before arriving in the park. You should also bring extra shoeing tools and supplies. Almost all trails consist of bedrock and/or gravel materials. Park trails are steep, narrow, rocky, and dangerous for flatland or out of condition horses. The high elevations (6,000 to 8,500 feet), cliffs, and frequent high winds are also factors to consider.
No feed is available in the park. Water is available at the corrals but there is no water available for stock use along any of the park trails. All backcountry water sources (which are few and unreliable) are fragile and off limits to stock use.
Weather conditions change rapidly here. Be prepared for extreme weather by having the proper clothing with you. Trails are subject to temporary closures during wet weather to prevent trail damage.
All livestock must meet state vaccination requirements. Copies of vaccination documents must be in your possession.
Nursing colts may not accompany their mothers on park trails. Loose herding is not permitted. Stock groups are limited to no more than 10 animals per group. Larger groups must split up and use different trails. Only one party of stock animals is permitted on the same trail at the same time. This reduces trail damage and minimizes conflicts between riders and hikers caused by long strings of stock.
Trails Open To Stock
Stock are permitted on the following trails only. No off-trail riding is allowed.
Easy Trails: Gentle grade, easy to follow.
Foothills Trail
Williams Ranch Road
Frijole Trail
Moderate Trails: Steeper grades; rocky sections; generally easy to follow; may require dismounts; intermediate rider experience; stock conditioned to mountain trails.
Bush Mountain Trail - Dog Canyon to Marcus Trail
Marcus Trail
Tejas Trail - Dog Canyon to Pine Top
McKittrick Canyon Trail - Tejas Trail to McKittrick Ridge Campground
El Capitan Trail - Pine Springs to Salt Basin Overlook
Salt Basin Overlook Trail (lower loop)
Difficult Trails: Steep grades; narrow sections; rocky; trail may be difficult to follow; requires specific knowledge of trail or experience with similar trail conditions; for experienced riders and stock conditioned for difficult mountain terrain.
Tejas Trail - Pine Springs to Pine Top
Bush Mountain Trail - Pine Top to Bush Mountain Campground
Guadalupe Peak Trail
El Capitan Trail - Salt Basin Overlook to Williams Ranch
Stark contrasts between mountains and canyons and desert, vast and majestic vistas, brilliant fall colors set against muted desert hues, and sparkling white dunes all combine to offer opportunities for personal renewal and inspiration. Consider including a visit to one or more of these special locations along with your other planned activities.
McKittrick Canyon
Tucked within the 2,000-foot-high limestone wall is a place that some call the “most beautiful spot in Texas”. The serpentine route of McKittrick Creek creates conditions for an unusual community of plants and a menagerie of animals. Rich with history, rich in diversity, glorified by its beauty, and famous for is outstanding fall colors, this location of the park is a “must-see”!
Frijole Ranch
The Frijole Ranch History Museum once served as the primary headquarters for ranching in the Guadalupes. Today it displays the sequential human history of the Guadalupes from Native Americans and ranchers to park visitors. The spring that runs through the courtyard was essential for subsistence and farming. Nearby is the one-room school house. As you look around, imagine what life may have been like in this remote West Texas locale. The Smith Springs Trail begins here as well.
Dog Canyon
Dog Canyon lies in a secluded, forested canyon on the north end of the park at an elevation of 6,300 feet. Remote and far removed from civilization; it stands at the edge of the wilderness boundary, and offers an ideal location for quiet camping, birding, hiking, and solitude.
Williams Ranch
The lonely 7.5 mile road that leads to Williams Ranch follows a section of the old Butterfield Overland Mail stage route. After meandering through dry, desert gulches, it ends abruptly at the base of a 3,000 foot rock cliff on the west side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Here, a single, well-preserved house, long since abandoned, stands as a testament of human struggle and survival. Behind the ranch is Bone Canyon, whose cliffs and slopes in its gaping mouth hold the oldest rocks in the Guadalupes.
Salt Basin Dunes
The shimmering, white Salt Basin Dunes cover nearly 2,000 acres, and range from heavily vegetated three-foot mounds, to naked, wind-blasted sixty-foot dunes that glisten and bake in the desert sun. Those who travel here can disappear into a vast and silent landscape and ponder the powerful forces of wind and time. To visit the Salt Basin Dunes, talk with park personnel at the Headquarters Visitor Center information desk.
