Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park was established in 1972. Since it is the 15th-least-visited National Park, it is a perfect place to avoid the crowds and see across Texas from the state's highest point! Explore the park for camping, hiking, backpacking, and more!

8 of the 10 highest peaks in Texas are located in the park, with Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet above sea level. From the top, one can see the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert surrounding the mountains.

The Guadalupe Peak Trail is a strenuous 8.4-mile round trip with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Reaching the highest point in Texas is definitely worth the strenuous hike to see the beautiful views of the mountains and desert.

Activities:

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• Hiking
• Camping
• Backpacking
• Birdwatching
• Horseback riding
• Scenic drives

Learn more about what to do at the park here: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/learn/index.htm

NEARBY PARKS

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If you have some time to spend in the area, there are a few other parks nearby you could visit.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is only a 35-minute drive northeast into New Mexico, where you can explore the caverns beneath the Chihuahuan Desert. Carlsbad Caverns NP has over 119 caves to explore and history to learn about. Make sure you reserve a time to visit before you go, as time-entry registrations are required. Click here for more details on the caverns! https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

White Sands National Park and Big Bend National Park are both about three hours away.

Know Before You Go:

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• There is no gasoline available in the park or for 35 miles in either direction.
• There is no convenience store or food sold in the park. Pack food in, but remember to pack it out and leave the park better than you found it.
• Pets are prohibited on most trails.
• Mountain lions and bears are in the area. Read below for more information about staying safe on the trail!

Links to helpful tips for mountain lion and bear encounters:

• BEAR SAFETY: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/black-bear-safety.htm
• MOUNTAIN LION SAFETY: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/mountain-lion-safety.htm

November through March is the windy season in the park; fast winds could make driving and hiking unsafe. Stay up to date on weather alerts here: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

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Written by: Claire Boatman