Backpacking Preparation
A backpacking trip in Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness requires some prior planning and decision-making to ensure the best experience.
Reservation required Fee applies
National Park · TX
Things to do in Guadalupe Mountains
The National Park Service lists 48 things to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 2 have no extra fee, 40 need no reservation, and 10 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Bringing Horses
Camping is authorized for overnight horse users only at the visitor horse corrals, with a permit. The visitor horse corrals and campsites at Frijole Horse Corral Campground and Dog Canyon Campground can be reserved in advance of the visit.
2-7 Days Winter, Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
Campground Connector Trail
This short trail connects the visitor center to the campground and the trailhead area at Pine Springs.
10-20 Minutes Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Can I Take My Dog?
Opportunities for pets are limited. Leashed pets may walk on the short Pine Springs Campground connector trail or along the Pinery Trail from the visitor center to the Butterfield Stage Station.
1-1 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Day Hike Preparation
As with most activities, hikers face potential risks. Knowledge and preparation can increase your comfort level and reduce your chances of injury. Remember, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety.
Year-round Fee applies
Dealing with Human Waste
Nothing can spoil a trip in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness as quickly as the discovery of human waste or toilet paper at a prime camping spot or along the trail. Always use the restroom before hiking.
5-15 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
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Devil's Hall
The strenuous route to Devil's Hall departs from the Pine Springs Trailhead and is 4.2 miles round-trip. After the first mile the trail enters a rocky wash which leads hikers to an impressive natural rock staircase that connects to a "hallway" formed by steep…
3-5 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Drive to Dog Canyon
Dog Canyon, the park's remote north district, is only seven miles as the crow files, but a full two hour drive [one-way] from Pine Springs through a panoramic Chihuahuan Desert and mountain landscape.
4-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Drive to the Five Points Vista
Located line of sight to Dog Canyon, the Five Points Vista is a scenic overlook near the end of the Guadalupe Rim Road in the Lincoln National Forest's Guadalupe Ranger District. This viewpoint offers spectacular views of the 'Rim' and the Guadalupe Mountains.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Drive to the Salt Basin Dunes
The white gypsum sands of the Salt Basin Dunes rise 100 feet from the desert floor and provide a brilliant contrast to the dark, towering cliffs of the Guadalupe Mountains.
2-4 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
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 off the beaten path and get close to the remote and imposing western escarpment of the Guadalupe Mountains.
4-6 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies Pets allowed
El Capitan Viewpoint
On the climb up Guadalupe Pass on U.S. Highway 62/180 just a few miles west of the Pine Springs area, this roadside pull-off provides an unparalleled view to the summit of El Capitan.
1-30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Foothills Loop
This moderate loop route uses the Frijole Trail and the Foothills Trail to make a loop below the eastern escarpment of the Guadalupe Mountains.
2-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Guadalupe Peak
Climb to the "Top of Texas" with a hike up Guadalupe Peak. Guadalupe Peak is a rewarding, although very strenuous, 8.4 mile round trip hike with a 3,000 foot elevation gain. It will take from six to eight hours to complete the hike.
6-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies
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 the summit of Guadalupe Peak.
1-30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Guadalupe Ridge Trail (GRT)
This trail covers 100 miles (161 km) through Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Over 20 miles (32 km) of this trail is within Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
5-6 Days Winter, Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Highway 54 To The Guadalupes
From the south, Texas State Highway 54 leads directly to the Guadalupes from Van Horn, Texas. Running between the Delaware Mountains to the east and Sierra Diablo on the west, the highway provides a dramatic approach to the Guadalupe Mountains, and on a clear…
1-2 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Highway 62/180 to the Guadalupes
Every visitor to Guadalupe Mountains National Park travels U.S Highway 62/180. Connecting El Paso, Texas to Carlsbad, New Mexico, the highway provides breath-taking views of the park from the north, south, and west.
1-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Hike to Fall Colors
Bright fall colors of deciduous trees are not common in the southwest, but elevation and environment combine in the Guadalupe Mountains for a seasonally striking display usually from mid-October to Mid-November.
2-6 Hours Fall Fee applies
Hiking off-trail
A new kind of experience in the Guadalupe Mountains starts where the maintained trail ends. However, off-trail hiking requires planning and preparation and carries a great deal of risk.
1-8 Hours Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
Hiking with a Group
In order to protect sensitive ecosystems and limit the impacts on the natural landscape, day-use hiking groups may not be larger than twenty persons on any trails in the park.
1-10 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Hunter Peak
The hike to Hunter Peak is a challenging day hike done as a loop up the Bear Canyon Trail and down the Tejas Trail that provides solitude, stunning views, and opportunities for side trails into the Bowl area.
6-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Indian Meadow Nature Trail
The Indian Meadow Nature Trail is an easy 0.6 mile loop that begins across the road from the ranger station and next to the group campsite, offering good views of the landscape. At a leisurely pace it takes 30-45 minutes.
30-45 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
Know the Rules
There are a variety of rules and regulations that dictate how the parks must be managed. These laws and regulations help us protect park resources while also providing visitors with a safe and enjoyable experience.
Year-round Fee applies
Leave No Trace
Each of us plays a vital role in protecting our national parks. As we spend time outdoors, in the natural world and in wilderness, it’s important to be conscious of the effects our actions may have on plants, animals, other people, and even entire ecosystems.
Year-round Fee applies
Lost Peak Saddle
Hiking the Tejas Trail from Dog Canyon out to the Lost Peak Saddle and back makes an excellent day hike in the Guadalupe Mountains.
3-6 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Manzanita Spring
The Manzanita Spring Trail is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) out and back trail that begins adjacent the Frijole Ranch. Manzanita Spring is a wide pool that provides excellent bird watching opportunities.
20-30 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
Marcus Overlook
Hiking the Bush Mountain Trail from Dog Canyon out to the Marcus Overlook and back makes an excellent and usually solitary day hike in the Guadalupe Mountains.
3-5 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
This fascinating, short trail passes an intermittent seep that lies hidden in junipers, then wanders up a southwest slope along an arroyo. Here, plants and animals tolerate true desert conditions.
30-60 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
McKittrick Canyon to Dog Canyon
The McKittrick Canyon Trail follows the floor of South McKittrick Canyon for four miles before climbing steeply to gain the ridge on the north side of the canyon.
8-12 Hours Year-round Fee applies
McKittrick Ridge
The journey to the top of McKittrick Ridge is "the toughest hike in Texas." This arduous hike is best enjoyed as an overnight hike allowing for rest, recovery, and fabulous night skies at the McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground.
8-12 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Overnight on McKittrick Ridge
The journey to the top of McKittrick Ridge is "the toughest hike in Texas." This arduous hike is best enjoyed as an overnight hike allowing for rest, recovery, and fabulous night skies at the McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground.
2-3 Days Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Overnight on Wilderness Ridge
The lesser used Permian Reef Trail leads to sheltered campsites and spectacular views into McKittrick Canyon, making a great destination of a one night, two day backpacking trip into the Wilderness.
2-3 Days Winter, Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Permian Reef Trail
The Permian Reef Trail climbs the north side of McKittrick Canyon to the top of Wilderness Ridge, providing sweeping views into South McKittrick Canyon.
5-7 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon
The Tejas Trail is the primary north/south through trail within the park, connecting the Pine Springs Trailhead with the Dog Canyon Trailhead at the park's northern boundary.
12-16 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Pinery Trail
The Pinery Trail offers visitors an opportunity to take a quick walk on a paved trail. The trail also features ruins of the Old Butterfield Stagecoach Route Pinery Station built in 1858.
20-30 Minutes Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Pratt Cabin
Enjoy the shortest distance into the heart of the canyon by hiking to Pratt Cabin and return (a distance of 4.8 miles). Along this walk you will cross the stream once before arriving at the historic structure.
2-4 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Salt Basin Dunes Trail
The white gypsum sands of the Salt Basin Dunes rise 100 feet from the desert floor and provide a brilliant contrast to the dark, towering cliffs of the Guadalupe Mountains.
1-3 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Search and Rescue Policy
Search and rescue actions are conducted on a discretionary basis. The level and necessity of the response is determined through evaluation of the situation by field personnel. Rescuer safety is always our first priority.
Fee applies
Shop at the Park Store
The park store is operated by Western National Parks Association, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
10-45 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
Smith Spring Trail Loop
Begin this hike at the trailhead sign. Look for birds, mule deer, and elk as you walk this loop trail to the shady oasis of Smith Spring. Take a break here and enjoy the gurgling sounds of the tiny waterfall before continuing around to sunny Manzanita Spring.
1-2 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Tejas Thru Hike
The Tejas Trail is the primary north/south through trail within the park, connecting the Pine Springs Trailhead with the Dog Canyon Trailhead at the park's northern boundary.
7-9 Hours Year-round Fee applies
The Grotto and Hunter Line Shack
Stretch out your day hike into McKittrick Canyon by hiking to the Grotto. Elevation gain doubles as you travel further up canyon, but is still mild at less then 600 feet gained from the trailhead.
3-5 Hours Year-round Fee applies
The Notch
The hike to "the Notch" is a challenging day hike that proceeds through McKittrick Canyon to a dramatic viewpoint about half way up toward McKittrick Ridge.
5-7 Hours Year-round Fee applies
Trail Rides
For those bringing horses and other stock to the Guadalupe Mountains, the park offers diverse riding opportunities. Sixty percent of the trails are open to stock use.
4-10 Hours Spring, Fall Reservation required Fee applies
Virtual Summit Log
When you reach a summit or other destination in the park, take a group photo or selfie in areas of the park and post to social media and include the hashtag #GuadalupeMountains #guadalupepeak #hunterpeak #lostpeak or others hashtags using your device and…
Year-round Fee applies
Visit the historic Frijole Ranch
Frijole Ranch is a delightful oasis on the edge of the dry, lower slopes of the Guadalupe escarpment which truly captures the rugged sprit of the American West.
10-60 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
What Time Is It?
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the Mountain Time Zone. Visitors relying on electronic devices may be misled, as cell signal service for the park comes from towers located in the Central Time Zone.
1-5 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Guadalupe Mountains. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — things to do on nps.gov