πŸ•οΈNational Park Data
El Capitan with blooming claret cup cacti
the slat flats become flooded during monsoon months after large rain events.
Fall colors in Devil's Hall
Pratt Cabin in McKittrick Canyon
wildflowers blossom along The Bowl trail
A metal and stone entrance sign stands in front of a building and desert mountains
National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Texas

πŸ’°
Entrance Fee
$10
πŸ•
Hours
All Day
πŸ“
Location
Salt Flat, TX
πŸ“ž
Visitor Center
915-828-3251

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.

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About Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a national park located in Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains are known for high winds year-round; gusts can reach 60MPH or higher. In winter the mountains experiences occasional, light snowfalls which seldom last more than a day. From May through October, temperatures vary with highs between 80F-100F+ with lows in the 40F-60F range. November to April is generally milder with highs in between 50F-70F with lows in the 30F-50F range. Elevations above 8,000’ will be about 10F cooler than headquarters, with corresponding wind-chill.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located on the north side of US Hwy 62/180. If you are traveling east from El Paso, TX, we are 110 miles East of the city. Follow US Hwy 62/180 North to the Pine Springs Visitor Center. If you are traveling from Van Horn, TX, you will travel north on US 54 and make a right-hand turn at the junction of US 62/180 to arrive at the park. If you are traveling west from Carlsbad, NM, you will travel on US Hwy 62/180 South and cross into Texas. Follow signs to the park.

πŸ’° Entrance Fees & Passes

General entry to Entrance - Education/Academic Groups is free. General admission passes are not required.

πŸ₯Ύ Things to Do

Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Auto Off-Roading, Camping, Backcountry Camping, and 16 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

βœ… Auto and ATV
βœ… Auto Off-Roading
βœ… Camping
βœ… Backcountry Camping
βœ… Car or Front Country Camping
βœ… Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
βœ… Group Camping
βœ… RV Camping
βœ… Guided Tours
βœ… Self-Guided Tours - Walking
βœ… Hiking
βœ… Backcountry Hiking
βœ… Front-Country Hiking
βœ… Horse Trekking
βœ… Horse Camping (see also camping)
βœ… Horseback Riding
βœ… Junior Ranger Program
βœ… Wildlife Watching
βœ… Birdwatching
βœ… Museum Exhibits

πŸ“¦ Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Guadalupe Mountains

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πŸŽ’ Trail Essentials

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πŸ₯Ύ Activity-Specific Gear

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πŸ§₯ Apparel & Layers

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πŸ’‘ Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

πŸ“‹ Visitor Planning Tips for Guadalupe Mountains

  • β†’Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Guadalupe Mountains before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • β†’Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 3 active alerts for Guadalupe Mountains. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • β†’Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Guadalupe Mountains get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • β†’Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Guadalupe Mountains. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Guadalupe Mountains

The entrance fee for Guadalupe Mountains National Park is $10 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

πŸ§—

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer β€” National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

πŸ”οΈ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio β†’

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