National park · United States
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Drive in for the day: pay the $5–10 entry at Pine Springs, walk the 1.1 km (0.7 mi) nature trail or the Guadalupe Peak trailhead, and see El Capitan from US 62/180 turnouts. Skip the summit climb unless you start before 9:00 with 3–4 L of water per person.Drive in for the day: pay the $5–10 entry at Pine Springs, walk the 1.1 km (0.7 mi) nature trail or the Guadalupe Peak trailhead, and see El Capitan from US 62/180 turnouts. Skip the summit climb unless you start before 9:00 AM with 3–4 L of water per person.Drive in for the day: pay the $5–10 entry at Pine Springs, walk the 0.7 mi (1.1 km) nature trail or the Guadalupe Peak trailhead, and see El Capitan from US 62/180 turnouts. Skip the summit climb unless you start before 9:00 with 3–4 L of water per person.Drive in for the day: pay the $5–10 entry at Pine Springs, walk the 0.7 mi (1.1 km) nature trail or the Guadalupe Peak trailhead, and see El Capitan from US 62/180 turnouts. Skip the summit climb unless you start before 9:00 AM with 3–4 L of water per person.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
349 km² (135 sq mi)135 sq mi (349 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 349 km² (135 sq mi)135 sq mi (349 km²)
- About 86,000 acres of designated wilderness inside the park boundary.
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive fossil reef, a Permian limestone mass that rises straight out of the Chihuahuan Desert in far West Texas. Guadalupe Peak is the state's highest point at 2,667 m; El Capitan is the cliff face most people recognise from the highway. The park is dry, windy and has almost no services: no food, no fuel, no lodging, one small shop at Pine Springs. Come for the hiking, the fall maple colour in McKittrick Canyon and the desert-to-forest transition, and treat the drive in as part of the trip.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1972Part of the Carlsbad Caverns–Guadalupe Mountains reef complex; the park itself is a designated wilderness area (check).
Size and age
349 km² (135 sq mi)135 sq mi (349 km²) · national park since 1972
About 86,000 acres of designated wilderness inside the park boundary.
Why go
- The climb to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, with El Capitan filling the view most of the way up.
- McKittrick Canyon in late October and early November, when the native bigtooth maples turn red against the limestone.
- A clear walk from desert scrub into ponderosa and Douglas fir forest in a single morning.
- One of the least crowded national parks in the lower 48: the trailhead car park rarely fills outside holiday weekends.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanCold, windy; ice and snow on the peak trail
- FebCold; wind gusts can top 100 km/h (62 mph)Cold; wind gusts can top 62 mph (100 km/h)
- MarWarming; windiest month
- AprMild days, clear skies, wildflowers starting
- MayHot by late month; start hikes at dawn
- JunOver 38 °C (100 °F) on the desert floor; afternoon stormsOver 100 °F (38 °C) on the desert floor; afternoon storms
- JulMonsoon storms; lightning on ridges
- AugHottest month; hike only early
- SepCooling; storm risk easing
- OctMaple colour in McKittrick; dry and mild
- NovClear, cool, quiet
- DecCold nights; possible snow on the peak
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk bugling in the high meadowsSep–Oct · Most often heard around the Bowl and Tejas in the early morning. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bigtooth maple colourOct–Nov · McKittrick Canyon; the last week of October is the busiest of the year. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Rattlesnakes (western diamondback and others)Apr–Oct · Active around sunrise and sunset; watch where you put your hands on rock. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Migrating birds and hummingbirdsApr–May, Sep · Over 300 species recorded in the range; springs and the canyon mouth are the best spots. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | no | no | no |
| Bats leaving the small cavesJun–Aug · The park's caves are mostly closed to visitors; watch from a distance at dusk. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From El Paso
US 62/180 east through Salt Flat; the Pine Springs entrance is on the right after the El Capitan turnouts.
1 h 45 min
From Carlsbad, New Mexico
US 62/180 west across the state line; fill up before leaving town.
50 min
From Dog Canyon entrance
From Carlsbad or Artesia via NM 137; no fuel or services on the route, and do not drive it after dark.
1 h 30 min from Carlsbad
From Trans-Pecos region plan
How this park fits with Big Bend, Marfa and the Davis Mountains.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Springs | Headquarters, visitor centre, main campground, the Guadalupe Peak and Devil's Hall trailheads. | Open year-round; entry fee. |
| McKittrick Canyon | The maple canyon, Pratt Lodge and the Notch; the park's most popular short walk in autumn. | Gated road with posted opening hours; entry fee. |
| Dog Canyon | Remote northern district reached through New Mexico; small campground and ranger contact station. | Open year-round except 25 December. |
| Wilderness backcountry | About 130 km (81 mi) of trails and ten primitive campsites on the high ridges.About 81 mi (130 km) of trails and ten primitive campsites on the high ridges. | Permit required; no water anywhere. |
Sketch map
- 1Pine Springs Visitor Center · Headquarters≈31.894, -104.822Map ↗
- 2Pine Springs Campground · Sleep≈31.895, -104.826Map ↗
- 3Guadalupe Peak · Summit≈31.892, -104.861Map ↗
- 4El Capitan · Viewpoint≈31.877, -104.858Map ↗
- 5McKittrick Canyon trailhead · Trail≈31.979, -104.755Map ↗
- 6Dog Canyon Ranger Station · Gate≈31.996, -104.834Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the park visitor centre to Dog Canyon, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, 7 days) | US$5–10 | person | 2026 estimate; the park has historically charged a per-person day-use fee rather than a per-vehicle one — confirm the current amount at the entrance station (check). |
| Pine Springs Campground, tent or RV site | US$15–20 | site per night | 2026 estimate; first come, first served, no hookups. |
| Dog Canyon Campground, tent or RV site | US$15–20 | site per night | 2026 estimate; first come, first served. |
| Group campsite (10–20 people) | US$3 | person per night | Reservable up to 60 days ahead. |
| Backcountry camping permit | US$0–10 | permit | Free or a small fee depending on the year; required for all overnight stays away from the campgrounds (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | 2026 estimate; covers entry at this and other federal sites. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
McKittrick Canyon (seasonal gate) no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5–10
- US$15–20
- US$15–20
- US$3
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Fees and passes, Guadalupe Mountains before you go.
Park rules
- No water in the backcountry
- Carry at least 4 L per person per day; there is no reliable water on any trail beyond the visitor centre and campground taps.
- No off-trail camping
- Overnight stays must be in a designated primitive campsite, registered in person at Pine Springs or Dog Canyon.
- No wood or charcoal fires
- Fires are banned in both campgrounds and the backcountry; use a camp stove.
- Pets
- Allowed only in the campgrounds and on the short Pine Springs nature trail; not on the peak, McKittrick or backcountry trails.
- Drones
- Launching a drone anywhere in the park is prohibited.
- Caves
- Most park caves are closed to protect bat colonies; do not enter gated openings.
Where to stay
In the park
Pine Springs Campground
The only campground at the main entrance; tent and RV sites, drinking water and toilets, no hookups or showers.
In the park
Dog Canyon Campground
Small, quiet campground at 1,920 m in the northern district; reached through New Mexico.
In the park
Backcountry primitive sites
Ten designated sites with tent pads, including Tejas in the wooded centre of the park; permit required.
Near the park
Whites City, New Mexico
The closest motels, about 56 km (35 mi) north at the Carlsbad Caverns entrance.The closest motels, about 35 mi (56 km) north at the Carlsbad Caverns entrance.
Near the park
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Full range of hotels, restaurants and fuel, about 80 km (50 mi) from Pine Springs.Full range of hotels, restaurants and fuel, about 50 mi (80 km) from Pine Springs.
Near the park
Van Horn, Texas
Small motels on I-10, about 100 km (62 mi) west; the nearest option if you are coming from El Paso late.Small motels on I-10, about 62 mi (100 km) west; the nearest option if you are coming from El Paso late.
Safety
Heat and dehydration on exposed trails high
Loose limestone rubble medium
Wind medium
Lightning on the peaks medium
No fuel or food between towns medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Pine Springs visitor centre, the Pinery Trail and the campground are paved and step-free.
- The McKittrick Canyon trail to Pratt Lodge is mostly level but unsealed; a companion is useful.
- Guadalupe Peak, Devil's Hall and the backcountry trails are steep and rough, with no accessible route.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; there are no bins on the trails.
- Stay on marked paths in McKittrick Canyon during maple season to protect the roots and soil.
- Do not enter gated caves or disturb roosting bats.
- Buy fuel and food in Carlsbad or El Paso rather than expecting services at the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
Entry is charged per person for a 7-day period, historically $5–10 (2026 estimate); the park has not used a per-vehicle rate. Camping is separate at roughly $15–20 per site per night. Confirm the current amount at the Pine Springs entrance station, and note that the America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry.
What are the best hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
For most visitors: the Guadalupe Peak trail (13.4 km, 6–8 h, hard) for the top-of-Texas summit, Devil's Hall (3–4 h, moderate) for the narrow limestone slot, and McKittrick Canyon to Pratt Lodge (2–3 h, easy) for the maples and the historic lodge. The Bowl is the quietest long option if you want forest rather than desert.
When is the best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
April and October–November. Spring gives mild days and clear skies; late October and early November bring the maple colour in McKittrick Canyon and the park's busiest week. June to August is dangerously hot on the desert floor, and winter brings wind, ice and occasional snow on the peak trail.
Can I see the park without hiking?
Yes. The Pinery Trail at Pine Springs is paved and short, and the turnouts on US 62/180 west of the entrance give the classic El Capitan view without paying entry. Everything else in the park is reached on foot or on horseback.
Is there anywhere to stay or eat in the park?
No lodging and no food service. There are two campgrounds (Pine Springs and Dog Canyon) and ten backcountry sites, all with drinking water only at the campground taps. The nearest motels and restaurants are in Whites City and Carlsbad, New Mexico, or Van Horn, Texas.
Do I need a permit to camp overnight?
Yes for the backcountry: register in person at Pine Springs or Dog Canyon and stay in a designated primitive site. The two campgrounds are first come, first served, with group sites reservable up to 60 days ahead.
How far is the park from El Paso or Carlsbad?
About 180 km east of El Paso on US 62/180, roughly 1 h 45 min, and about 80 km west of Carlsbad, New Mexico. There is no fuel, food or water between the towns and the park, so arrive full.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go