National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas
United States
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Hiking & Travel Guide
Current park status
5 active alerts
Current park status
5 active alerts
Park Closure
Temporary Closure of Pine Springs Trailhead Parking Lot
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Starting the evening of Sunday 8/16/26 with an anticipated completion on Saturday 8/22/26, a paving project will be taking place in the Pine Springs area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. During this closure there will be no parking at the Pine Springs Trailhead. Those that want to hike trails such as Devils Hall or Guadalupe Peak must park at the visitor center and follow a .25-mile path to the trailhead. Wilderness permit holders will also need to park at the visitor center.
Park Closure
Temporary Closure of Pine Springs Trailhead Parking Lot
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Starting the evening of Sunday 8/10/26 with an anticipated completion on Saturday 8/15/26, a paving project will be taking place in the Pine Springs area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. During this closure there will be no parking at the Pine Springs Trailhead. Those that want to hike trails such as Devils Hall or Guadalupe Peak must park at the visitor center and follow a .25-mile path to the trailhead. Wilderness permit holders will also need to park at the visitor center.
Information
Park Store To Go Cashless
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Starting August 14th, 2025 the park store will go cashless. All major credit cards, debit cards and mobile electronic payments will be accepted.
Information
Williams Ranch Road Closed
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The Williams Ranch Road is currently impassable and closed to public access due to unsafe conditions.
Caution
Devil's Hall is a Strenuous Hike
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The hike to Devil's Hall is rated as strenuous. The portion of the route in the wash requires rock scrambling and is dangerous when wet or if water is present. The wash surface is loose gravel and rocks and may be unstable.
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National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects a rugged landscape of desert, canyons, high mountain forests, fossil reefs, and the tallest peaks in Texas. Rising dramatically above the Chihuahuan Desert in far West Texas, the park offers outstanding hiking, backpacking, wildlife watching, and wilderness experiences far from the crowds and development found at many major destinations.
Guadalupe Peak is the park’s most famous hiking destination. At 8,751 feet, it is the highest point in Texas and rewards hikers with panoramic views across the surrounding mountains and desert. The challenging trail climbs thousands of feet from Pine Springs, making it an adventure that requires adequate time, water, and preparation.
El Capitan is another defining landmark. Its massive limestone face rises above the desert and can be seen for miles from surrounding highways. Together with Guadalupe Peak, it forms part of an ancient fossil reef that developed when this region was covered by a tropical sea millions of years ago.
McKittrick Canyon provides a different experience, with a trail leading through desert vegetation into an increasingly sheltered canyon. The area is especially famous for its fall colors, when maples and other vegetation create an unexpected seasonal display in the West Texas mountains.
More than 80 miles of hiking trails provide many other things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Visitors can explore Devil’s Hall, backpack into mountain wilderness, discover Dog Canyon, photograph desert landscapes, camp, watch wildlife, ride horses on designated trails, and experience exceptionally dark night skies.
There are no hotels, cabins, restaurants, grocery stores, or gas stations inside the park. Pine Springs and Dog Canyon provide primitive camping, while travelers looking for lodging and additional services can use communities such as Carlsbad or Van Horn.
Guadalupe Mountains combines naturally with nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Whether you come to stand on the highest point in Texas, hike through McKittrick Canyon, or spend several days exploring the wilderness, careful preparation rewards visitors with one of Texas’s most impressive mountain landscapes.
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Weather forecast
Plan your visit with the latest weather forecast for this park.
Overnight
65°F18°C
Partly Cloudy
NE 10 mph16 km/h Rain: 2%
Sunday
80°F27°C
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 13 mph20 km/h Rain: 19%
Sunday Night
64°F18°C
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
E 18 mph28 km/h Rain: 19%
Labor Day
80°F27°C
Sunny
E 13 mph20 km/h Rain: 2%
Monday Night
64°F18°C
Mostly Clear
E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 2%
Tuesday
80°F27°C
Sunny
E 13 mph20 km/h Rain: 8%
Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.
Location and map
Things To Buy
Recommended gear for Guadalupe Mountains National Park
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$45.00
Backpacks & Packs
$35.00
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$55.00
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$59.99
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$54.99
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$40.00
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$85.00
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$45.00
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$84.99
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$45.00
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$84.99
npusa_explorer_commercial_product_family_hiking_trail_footwear
$35.00
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Directions
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in far West Texas along U.S. Highway 62/180. Pine Springs Visitor Center is the primary starting point for most visitors and provides access to Guadalupe Peak, Devil’s Hall, and several of the park’s major hiking trails.
From El Paso, drive east on U.S. Highway 62/180 for approximately 110 miles toward the park. Travelers coming from Carlsbad, New Mexico, follow the same highway south for about 56 miles. From Van Horn, drive north on U.S. Highway 54 before turning east onto Highway 62/180.
Dog Canyon, on the northern side of the park, has a separate approach through New Mexico and is roughly a two-hour drive from Pine Springs. Plan this area as a separate destination rather than expecting an internal park road connection.
There is no public transportation within the park and no gasoline, restaurant, or grocery store. Fill your fuel tank and purchase food and supplies before arrival. El Paso provides the closest large commercial airport for most travelers.
Climate
Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a dry mountain and desert climate with major differences in temperature, wind, and precipitation depending on elevation. Conditions can change quickly between the desert floor, Pine Springs, and the park’s highest peaks.
Spring and fall generally provide warm, pleasant conditions and are popular seasons for hiking. Summer is hotter, particularly at lower desert elevations, while the high country can remain around 10°F cooler. Thunderstorms during the warmer months may bring lightning, heavy rain, and flash flooding.
Wind is one of the most important weather factors in the Guadalupe Mountains. From late fall through early spring, strong winds are common, with gusts occasionally reaching 50 to 80 mph. Winter can also bring freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and freezing fog at higher elevations.
Weather at Guadalupe Peak may be very different from conditions at the visitor center. Whatever the season, carry plenty of water, dress in layers, and check the forecast for the specific elevation and trail you plan to explore.
Information & Disclaimer
National Parks Explorer strives to present accurate and up-to-date information collected from official and trusted sources, including the National Park Service. While we make every effort to keep this information current, information may be incomplete, inaccurate, outdated or subject to change without prior notice, including access requirements, permits, reservations, operating hours, alerts, fees, road and trail conditions, weather and other visitor information.