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National Park
Guadalupe Mountains
Blossoming claret cup cacti add a splash of color to the Chihuahuan desert. NPS/Bieri
Overview
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna, and the stories of lives shaped through conflict, cooperation and survival.
An entrance fee of $10 per person (16 years of age and older) is required; entrance fees/passes permit 1-7 consecutive days of use in this national park. Holders of the Annual, Senior, Military, 4th grade and Access Pass can bring in 3 adults free of charge under their pass. Any pass must be displayed in a vehicle while in the national park.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups: 0.00
Entrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose of their visit is educational rather than recreational. Completed applications along with required documentation must be submitted via email.
Fee waiver requests must be submitted at least six weeks before a scheduled visit to allow for consideration.
Map
Things To Do
Category
6 Results
Drive to Williams Ranch
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Description
If you have a high-clearance, four wheel drive vehicle, the primitive dirt road to Williams Ranch provides a unique opportunity to get off the beaten path and get close to the remote and imposing western escarpment of the Guadalupe Mountains.
The lesser used Permian Reef Trail leads to sheltered campsites and spectacular views into McKittrick Canyon, making a great destination of a one night, two day backpacking trip into the Wilderness.
This viewpoint, located just to the southeast of the park boundary alongside U.S. Highway 62/180 provides an excellent view to the summit of Guadalupe Peak.
Frijole Ranch is a delightful oasis on the edge of the dry, lower slopes of the Guadalupe escarpment which truly captures the rugged sprit of the American West. Today the Frijole Ranch History Museum occupies the old ranch headquarters and displays the human history of the Guadalupes. The grounds are open from dusk to dawn, with picnic tables at the parking area and under the large shade trees in the courtyard. Bring your binoculars; this is an excellent location for birding!
The hike to "the Notch" is a challenging day hike that proceeds through McKittrick Canyon to a dramatic viewpoint about half way up toward McKittrick Ridge.
A new kind of experience in the Guadalupe Mountains starts where the maintained trail ends. However, off-trail hiking requires planning and preparation and carries a great deal of risk. Any person or persons planning to hike off trail in the park must stop by the Pine Springs Visitor Center and be issued an off-trail hiking permit.
El Capitan with blooming claret cup cactithe slat flats become flooded during monsoon months after large rain events.Fall colors in Devil's HallPratt Cabin in McKittrick Canyonwildflowers blossom along The Bowl trailA metal and stone entrance sign stands in front of a building and desert mountains
