National Parks are a popular stop on US road trips. Everyone has heard of Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Yosemite, but there are quite a few lesser-known national parks that are worthy of their place on bucket lists and itineraries. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of those places we had barely heard about before starting our road trip across the Southern US.
Located in Western Texas, it’s home to the highest point in the state. Like the rest of the region, it’s incredibly undeveloped and rugged. Most of the park is only accessible by trails, but you can get a taste in just a few hours. We’ve gathered some important information you need to know to plan your trip.
A One-Day Visit to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The reality of the U.S. National Park system is that the destinations impress you even if you can only afford a few hours. We thought we would simply drive through since we hadn’t intended to stop for long. But we should have known better. The landscapes instantly drew us in, and we did more than just drive-through. It was worth the detour.
If you’re like us and have just a few hours to explore, we recommend popping into the visitor center before or after hitting one of the popular hiking trails.
Pine Springs Visitor Center
Spend some time in the Pine Springs Visitor Center. We were able to watch an inspiring, albeit dated, film about the park. Learn about the Mescalero Apaches, who hunted and camped in this area until 1849, when the US Army began to drive them out of the area. The center also goes back 250 million years and explains more about the tropical ocean that covered this part of Texas.
Smith Spring Trail Loop
We opted for the short but beautiful Smith Spring Trail loop route. We knocked it out in about an hour after stopping for photos and drinking water several times. The great thing about this quick hike is that it allowed us to drive in and take a small look at what this park offers. The changing landscapes around us left us longing to return for a more extended stay with some backcountry camping.
The loop is 2.4 miles long and passes by a few springs and the historic ranch building. You can learn a bit of history about the area and get some great views. We always recommend using AllTrails to help navigate the trails (even when you lose your phone signal.)
Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail
There will likely always be a handful of people on the Guadalupe Peak Trail since this hike takes you to the top of Texas’ highest peak (8,749′) and then back down. It’s one of the most popular trails in the park. Plan for around six hours and pack lots of water and snacks. The trail has 2,952 feet of elevation gain in 4.1 miles to the top.
The beauty of this mountainous playground is that there are all kinds of trails to take in the views. You can truly find solitude here if you want it. But look no further than the Marcus or Bush Mountain trails if you want something less traveled with great views of the surrounding landscape.
More Time to Explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
If you have more than one day to explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park, consider yourself lucky. Here are the places we have on our list to explore in the future:
- Capable backcountry campers with some time might like to take a rugged 4×4 out on the Butterfield Stage Route to find solace.
- The fall colors on the McKittrick Canyon hike supposedly rival the autumn colors in New England. Hike the entire 15.2-mile round-trip and see the historic Pratt Cabin and the views from McKittrick Ridge.
- The Permian Reef Trail is a geologist’s dream, with limestone etched with proof of the ancient ocean life that used to call this place home.
Why does Guadalupe Mountains National Park go unnoticed?
Well, to begin with, it is rugged. Unlike some of the more popular national parks in the U.S., this one is left very raw. When it was designated as a national park in the fall of 1972, the National Park Service chose to leave the terrain as natural as possible. This means the trails are kept relatively uncontrolled, and the facilities on site are not abundant. If you venture into this park to hike or camp, you are on your own.
Also, this area is a cold desert climate which can bring hot days and cold nights. If you aren’t prepared for the temperature swings, you might find yourself in uncomfortable or dangerous situations during your visit. For the unskilled backcountry camper, this can lead to problems.
Finally, access to most of the park is challenging. Unlike many parks with plenty of driving routes, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is made for serious hiking. Because it is so undeveloped, only I62/180 runs through it. And even there, it only clips the southeast corner of the park. That’s right, if you want to explore this terrain, you’ll need to do it the old-fashioned (dare I say more fun?) way and hoof it.
Why Everyone Should Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The reality is that many of us are looking to find those rare spaces where you can really escape. Often, I need to get away from other people, and I love being in nature when I escape. More popular parks, as beautiful and enlivening as they are, don’t always allow this escape. Campsites are often sold out, so trails and facilities are busy. Or at least be more active than you want when your goal is to be alone.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park doesn’t fit in that category. Thanks to the remote location in the Chihuahuan Desert, this park offers quiet and tranquility.
From the top of Guadalupe Peak, you can get endless views of the surrounding landscape and El Capitan peak. The landscapes here are quite varying in such a small area. There are three different ecosystems in this park, depending on what elevation you are at. From the start of your hike, you may be surrounded by sagebrush, and after a few extra vertical feet, you might be staring at ponderosa pines. To say you can see a little bit of everything here is an understatement.
Important Information about Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Where is Guadalupe Mountains National Park located?
Guadalupe Mountains National Park lies about 110 miles east of El Paso, TX, just south of the New Mexico / Texas border.
What is the closest big city to the Guadalupe Mountains?
El Paso, Texas, is the nearest large city with an airport. You can also make this part of a larger trip to Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
When is the best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
The park is open year-round. We recommend visiting in early spring and late fall. These shoulder seasons provide more enjoyable temperatures to explore the outdoors.
We visited in February and had great weather. It was comfortable to hike in a t-shirt and pants. Winter can be a little unpredictable with winds and cooler temps, especially at the park’s higher elevations. Summer gets incredibly hot and dry.
Are there services at Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
There are a few campgrounds that are first come, first served. You’ll need to travel to Whites City, NM, for food, gas, and hotel rooms. It’s about a 45-minute drive. Stock up on essentials before getting to the park. No wood or charcoal fires are permitted in the park, but you can use propane stoves and grills for cooking.
Final Thoughts on Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The park is one of the least visited national parks in the lower 48 states of the U.S. I say “amazingly” because it is only 25 miles to the south of the ever-popular Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. In fact, the two parks lie within the same mountain range. It is definitely worth the detour to add this to your itinerary.
Don’t count this park out. It’s like a smaller version of Big Bend National Park with a similar color palette and tons to keep you busy for a few days but not too overwhelming that you can’t make it a day trip.
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