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Guadalupe Mountains National Park

»Contact Information
»Getting There
»Weather
»Activities
Rising from the desert, this mountain mass contains portions of the world's most extensive and significant Permian limestone fossil reef. Also featured are a tremendous earth fault, lofty peaks, unusual flora and fauna, and a colorful record of the past. Guadalupe Peak, highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet; El Capitan, a massive limestone formation; McKittrick Canyon, with its unique flora and fauna; and the "Bowl", located in a high country conifer forest, are significant park features. Established: September 30, 1972.


Contact Information

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
HC 60 Box 400
Salt Flat, TX 79847-9400
(915) 828-3251 - Headquarters


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Getting There

By Plane
Airline service to El Paso.

By Car
To Park: Headquarters Visitor Center at Pine Springs accessed via U.S. highway 62/180 between Carlsbad, NM and El Paso, TX. Dog Canyon, on the park's north side, is accessed via New Mexico state road 137.

By Plane
No public transportation available.

Getting Around
Access roads to trailheads only.

Eighty-plus miles of trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Trails are rocky and often steep and rugged. Trails lead to Guadalupe Peak, around the base of El Capitan, up into the high country and across the top of the escarpment, and into McKittrick Canyon. Self-guided nature trails are located at McKittrick Canyon, Pinery trail
at Pine Springs and Indian Meadow Trail at Dog Canyon.

Weather

Hot summers, mild winters. Sudden and extreme weather changes are common. Frequent high winds, winter through spring. Cool nights, even in summer. Loose, comfortable clothing, sturdy walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and plenty of drinking water.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
thebackpacker.com If you want more information about backpacking and hiking, give thebackpacker.com a try. From backpacking gear reviews, hiking trail reviews and much more, it covers all aspects of wilderness travel.
  • Camping
  • Educational Programs
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Wilderness Area
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Backpacking
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
Horseback Riding: Day use only (bring your own stock). Stock may not be kept in the backcountry overnight but corrals are available for visitor use at Frijole Ranch and Dog Canyon.


 
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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.