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 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.
A backpacking trip in Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness requires some prior planning and decision-making to ensure the best experience.
Park entry fee required for all adult visitors. A Wilderness Use Permit fee is required for all overnight use of any wilderness camping sites.
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!
Park entry fee required for all adult visitors.
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.
Park entry fee required for all adult visitors.
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.
Park entry fee required for all adult visitors.
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 Williams Ranch Road is currently CLOSED.
Park entry fee required for all adult visitors.