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Overnight on McKittrick Ridge - Guadalupe Mountains National Park

A mountainous ridge with trees and rocks looms in the distance
Backcountry Camping

Overnight on McKittrick Ridge

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Permit required
2-3 Days
Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter
Pets: No
Fees: Yes

Visitor Dashboard

Current park status

6 active alerts
Park Closure

Temporary Closure of McKittrick Canyon Due to Wildland Fire Activity

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The McKittrick Canyon section of Guadalupe Mountains National Park will be temporarily closed due to wildland fire activity. This includes all day use areas and the McKittrick Ridge, Wilderness Ridge and Mescalero wilderness campgrounds.
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.

About this activity

The journey to the top of McKittrick Ridge is "the toughest hike in Texas." This arduous hike is best enjoyed as an overnight hike allowing for rest, recovery, and fabulous night skies at the McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground. An overnight Wilderness Use Permit is required for camping.

The journey to the top of McKittrick Ridge is "the toughest hike in Texas." This very strenuous hike is best enjoyed as an overnight experience. This route takes you through MicKittrick Canyon up the steepest trail in the park. At the halfway point to the ridge is "The Notch", where there is a spectacular view of the canyon both directions. As you continue, don't be fooled by the false summits that make you think you've nearly reached the top!

Distance: 15.2 miles (24.5 km) round-trip, out and back
Elevation Change: 2,700 feet
Time Estimate: 4-6 hours to reach the campsites
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: Minimum of one night, two days.
Trailhead: Start and end at the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead.
Wilderness Use Permit is required for overnight use of any wilderness camping sites.

Activity details

Location
McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground
Duration
2-3 Days
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Time of day
Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
Pets
No
Fees
Yes
Accessibility

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Access requirement information

Permit required

Wilderness Use Permit is required for overnight use of any wilderness camping sites.

Official website

Official access information supplied by the provider for this activity. Requirements and availability may change, so always verify the latest details on the official website.
Visit official website

Weather forecast

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.
Today
77°F25°C
Sunny
SW 5 mph8 km/h Rain: 2%
Tonight
59°F15°C
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 19%
Tuesday
70°F21°C
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 43%
Tuesday Night
56°F13°C
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 23 mph36 km/h Rain: 72%
Wednesday
65°F18°C
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 74%
Wednesday Night
56°F13°C
Showers And Thunderstorms
E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 75%
Forecast data provided by the National Weather Service.
Last updated: Sep 21, 2026 at 6:06 AM
Official forecast
Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

More weather details

Today
77°F25°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.

SW 5 mph8 km/h Rain: 2%
Tonight
59°F15°C
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 19%
Tuesday
70°F21°C
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 43%
Tuesday Night
56°F13°C
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

E 23 mph36 km/h Rain: 72%
Wednesday
65°F18°C
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

SE 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 74%
Wednesday Night
56°F13°C
Showers And Thunderstorms

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 75%
Thursday
65°F18°C
Showers And Thunderstorms

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

SE 20 mph32 km/h Rain: 75%
Thursday Night
56°F13°C
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

E 10 mph16 km/h Rain: 69%
Friday
67°F19°C
Rain Showers Likely

Rain showers likely before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.

SE 3 mph4 km/h Rain: 69%
Friday Night
58°F14°C
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.

E 3 mph4 km/h Rain: 66%
Saturday
69°F21°C
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

0 mph0 km/h Rain: 39%
Saturday Night
59°F15°C
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

0 mph0 km/h Rain: 21%
Sunday
74°F23°C
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

0 mph0 km/h Rain: 16%
Sunday Night
60°F16°C
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

0 mph0 km/h Rain: 20%

Disclaimer

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.

Weather, wind, precipitation and temperature can vary by location and time. Prepare appropriate clothing and equipment and check official alerts and park guidance.

Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

Location and map

View this park in your preferred navigation app for directions and nearby places.

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