Guadalupe Mountains National Park guides
11 in-depth guides to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park overview.
Winter Winds and Monsoon Storms: When to Visit
The windy season runs from November through March, when winds often top 30 miles per hour and gusts commonly range from 50 to 80 miles per hour.
Reaching Dog Canyon and the Remote Edges
Dog Canyon sits at the north end of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, in a secluded, forested canyon at an elevation of 6,300 feet.
Reading the World's Largest Permian Fossil Reef
Few places preserve a Permian fossil reef on this scale, and the one in these mountains is the most extensive in the world.
McKittrick Canyon to Pratt Cabin and the Grotto
The McKittrick Canyon Trail begins at the back of the visitor center, so park there first.
Guadalupe Peak: Summiting the Top of Texas
Guadalupe Peak rises to 8,751 feet, making it the highest point in Texas. The Guadalupe Peak Trail climbs to its summit in the Guadalupe Mountains.
Devil's Hall: The Park's Slot Canyon Hike
Devil's Hall is a narrow slot canyon within Pine Springs Canyon, and reaching the slot at the end of the trail is the highlight for many hikers.
60 Mammals and 16 Bat Species
Sixteen of the park's mammal species are bats. They shelter in the smaller caves scattered through these mountains, where their numbers are far more spread out than in the well-known bat cave at nearby Carlsbad Caverns.
Following the Butterfield Overland Mail Route
For a direct look at the old Butterfield Overland Mail route, the Pinery Trail is a good place to start.
Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campsites: Book Ahead
Reserve your campsite before you arrive at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park has no overflow campsites, so if the campgrounds are full and you do not have a reservation, you will need to line up a place to stay outside the park, whether lodging or camping.
Salt Basin Dunes: White Gypsum in the Desert
The Salt Basin Dunes are a field of bright white gypsum sand on the west side of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Frijole Ranch and Smith Springs Trail
Frijole Ranch sits one mile north of Pine Springs, at the far end of the ranch access road.
