About Guadalupe Mountains National Park
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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
An entrance fee of $10 per person (16 years of age and older) is required; entrance fees/passes permit 1-7 consecutive days of use in this national park. Holders of the Annual, Senior, Military, 4th grade and Access Pass can bring in 3 adults free of charge under their pass. Any pass must be displayed in a vehicle while in the national park.
Entrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose of their visit is educational rather than recreational. Completed applications along with required documentation must be submitted via email. Fee waiver requests must be submitted at least six weeks before a scheduled visit to allow for consideration.
Operating Hours
The Pine Springs area, including the campground, visitor center, trailhead, and associated parking areas are open and accessible all of the time during normal operations. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
This pass is valid for entrance into Guadalupe Mountains National Park for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits up to four adults in a private vehicle and is non-transferable; visitors under 16 years of age are free. You can purchase this pass at the Pine Springs Visitor Center.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Hiking off-trail
A new kind of experience in the Guadalupe Mountains starts where the maintained trail ends. However, off-trail hiking requires planning…
Any person or persons planning to hike off trail in the park must obtain an off-trail hiking permit at the…
The Notch
The hike to "the Notch" is a challenging day hike that proceeds through McKittrick Canyon to a dramatic viewpoint about…
To access this run, park at the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center. The McKittrick Canyon Trail starts from the back of the visitor…
Overnight on Wilderness Ridge
The lesser used Permian Reef Trail leads to sheltered campsites and spectacular views into McKittrick Canyon, making a great destination…
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for overnight use of any wilderness camping sites.
Drive to Williams Ranch
If you have a high-clearance, four wheel drive vehicle, the primitive dirt road to Williams Ranch provides a unique opportunity to get…
To access Williams Ranch, check out a gate key at the Pine Springs Visitor Center. Only 4X4, high ground clearance…
Backpacking Preparation
A backpacking trip in Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness requires some prior planning and decision-making to ensure the best experience.
Guadalupe Peak Viewpoint
This viewpoint, located just to the southeast of the park boundary alongside U.S. Highway 62/180 provides an excellent view to…
This viewpoint, located just to the southeast of the park boundary alongside U.S. Highway 62/180 provides an excellent view to…
Visitor Centers
Dog Canyon Ranger Station
Visitors can pick up brochures and maps from the Dog Canyon Ranger Station when staff or volunteers are available. The Dog Canyon Ranger Station is…
Hours: 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.
McKittrick Canyon Contact Station
Visit the contact station at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon (staffed during peak seasons in the spring and fall). Pick up a park brochure, and…
Hours: McKittrick Canyon is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time. The gate at the highway is closed and locked at 5:00 PM. All visitors must be out of the area by 5:00 PM. The McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center restrooms are open daily. The trailhead is immediately through the breezeway. View the outside exhibits and video. The visitor center is open intermittently depending on staff availability.
Pine Springs Visitor Center
Pine Springs Visitor Center is the park's main visitor center and headquarters. Visitors can pay entrance and camping fees, tour the museum, purchase items from…
Hours: The Pine Springs Visitor Center is open year-round, closing on New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When staffing levels or scheduling needs require, this visitor center may close for a lunch break from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Mountain time.
Campgrounds
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Wilderness Ridge Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. An interesting hike along the Permian Reef Trail meanders up 2,000 feet to…
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