Guadalupe Peak is the highest spot in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the entire state of Texas/NPS
You can see a long way from the roof Guadalupe Mountains National Park, as it also happens to be the roof of the entire state of Texas, and that's saying something.
In a state with such National Park System luminaries as Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Seashore, and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Guadalupe Mountains probably gets overlooked by a few folks. OK, more than a few. And while that's not a bad thing, if you're looking for some solitude, what they're missing are four of the highest peaks in the Lone Star State, a fossilized reef from the Permian Era that today holds wooded canyons and lush springs, and even some Old West relics in the ruins of the old stage station of the Butterfield Overland Mail.
Projecting into the northeastern corner of the arid Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains National Park often is described as one of America's best-kept natural secrets. Filled with magic and majesty, the park ranges more than 5,000 feet in elevation from the desert floor to Guadalupe Peak, at 8,751 feet the highest spot in Texas.
The landscapes within the park span from starkly beautiful gypsum dunes and salt flats to lush streamside woodlands, rocky canyons and mountain forests, where more than 400 species of animals and 1,000 species of trees and other plants can be found.
Just 225,257 folks visited Guadalupe Mountains last year, while Big Bend saw 440,257, Padre Island 650,197, and San Antonio Missions 1.38 million. What did they miss? Not only Guadalupe Peak, but the 177-acre Gypsum Dunes Preserve, the second-largest dune field in the coterminous United States. The dunes are located approximately nine miles outside of Dell City, Texas, just west of the historic Butterfield Stagecoach Trail. The public can access the dunes by hiking in through the western park boundary or by contacting the Pine Springs visitor center.
Despite being nearly 90,000 acres, the park only has about 80 miles of marked trails. And there are just 10 backcountry campsites.
McKittrick Canyon is a popular spot for fall colors in Guadalupe Mountains National Park/NPS
With fall not too far off, you might consider a trip to Guadalupe Mountains to enjoy the foliage. The park's McKittrick Canyon contains some surprising hardwoods in this "island in the desert." This is a popular destination, especially during the fall color season, so don't expect this remote location to provide an escape from crowds.
The fall color season in Guadalupe Mountains typically begins in mid-October and continues through mid-November. However, several environmental factors may affect the timing and itensity of the color change and season length - temperature, sunlight, and soil moisture. You can visit this page on the park's website to get updates on the color season, or check the park's Facebook page.
Guadalupe Mountains is located in far west Texas, on U.S. Highway 62/180. The driving distance is 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas, or 55 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Visitors travelling to Dog Canyon, on the north side of the park, can access that area via New Mexico State Road 137, passing though the Lincoln National Forest and the village of Queen, New Mexico.
While the approach to Guadalupe Mountains National Park is scenic from any direction, there are no paved driving tours within the park. Park roads provide access to the Pine Springs Visitor Center and Campground, the McKittrick Canyon Contact Station, historic Frijole Ranch, the Dog Canyon Visitor Contact/Ranger Station and Campground, historic Williams Ranch (4x4 only), historic Ship-on-the-Desert, the Pinery and trailheads.
Overnight RV and tent camping is available at the Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds. Sites go for $8 a night. There is limited group camping, and groups should contact the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828-3251 x2124 for group campground information or reservations.
There are ten primitive designated backcountry/wilderness camping areas throughout the park. A free backcountry permit, required for overnight stay, may be obtained at the Pine Springs Visitor Center between 8 a.m. and 15 minutes prior to closing or the Dog Canyon Visitor Center.
There are no gasoline, lodging, groceries or food services available in the park. The nearest are 35 miles east of Pine Springs in White’s City, 45 miles to the west in Dell City. There is no public transportation to the park. Motorists traveling past the park along U.S. Hwy 62/180 may tune in to the park’s Traveler Information Station at 1610 AM for up-to-date park information.
Winter can be an even more alluring, and less crowded, season at Guadalupe Mountains National Park/NPS
Comments
I love this park and you can get solitude even in the fall. Yes, Guadalupe Peak and McKittrick are going ot be filled but if you take Permian Reef and espoecially if you start at Dog Canyon and make the Tejas, Blue Ridge, Bush Mountain (Go down Marcus to sae a couple of miles) you will have 15 miles and may not see another soul. Take Map, Compass, WATER, and a good GPS App (Back Country Navigator ) is best for Android because it is easy to get confused on the last 3-4 miles of a clockwise loop. lAnother spot for solitude is The Bowl or often EL Capitan trail.
My wife, daughter and I really want to go, we'd be driving from Houston, so leaving our house 6 AM and getting there 4 PM (we've done similar drive to Big Bend so know we have the endurance for it). My biggest concern, given campsites are first come-first served, is getting there and not having anywhere to pitch our tent (car camping). Right now we are thinking of going either the week between Christmas and New Years, or next Spring Break. Anyone know what are the chances of getting a campsite these times?
My brother visits this park frequently and his best recommendation is to come MOST of the way your first day and get a motel in either Carlsberg or Van Horn. Then you can head to the park early to scout out a campsite.