Guadalupe Mountains National Park — Visitor Info

← Back to National Parks

Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, along with a remnant of an ancient fossil reef and colorful fall foliage in McKittrick Canyon. It's a quiet, hiking-focused park with no scenic drive loop — nearly everything here is reached on foot. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: High winds (60+ mph gusts are not unusual) can close trails and campgrounds with little notice, and summer heat at lower elevations is extreme. Always check the official Guadalupe Mountains Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
West Texas, near the New Mexico border
Entrance Fee
$10/person (no per-vehicle fee), 1–7 days
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (free)
Lodging
None in-park — camping only, or stay in nearby Carlsbad, NM or Van Horn, TX
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Pine Springs Visitor Center
The main visitor center, open daily 8am–4pm. Trailhead for Guadalupe Peak and El Capitan.
McKittrick Canyon Contact Station
Gateway to McKittrick Canyon, known for fall foliage. Has its own gated hours, separate from general park hours — check before you go, especially near closing time.
Dog Canyon Ranger Station
On the remote north side of the park, about a 2-hour drive from Pine Springs (via New Mexico) — there's no direct road between the two areas.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Guadalupe Mountains charges a $10 per-person fee (ages 16+) rather than a per-vehicle fee, valid 1–7 days. An Annual Pass is $35 and covers up to 4 adults in a vehicle. Pay at the Pine Springs Visitor Center, McKittrick Canyon Contact Station, or via self-pay envelopes at any trailhead (cash or credit/debit at staffed locations; card only at self-pay envelope stations). Keep your fee stub or pass visible in your vehicle.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike. You do need one for:

Backcountry Camping

Free permits are required for all overnight backcountry trips; this is a hike-in park with 10 designated backcountry camping areas and no roadside camping outside the developed campgrounds.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Three developed campgrounds, open year-round. There are no RV hookups or dump station anywhere in the park — the nearest free dump station is in Carlsbad, NM.

Pine Springs Campground
20 walk-in tent sites plus 13 paved RV sites (RVs/trailers 55 ft or longer prohibited), no hookups. Reservable up to 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov. Near the main visitor center at the base of Guadalupe Peak.
Dog Canyon Campground
9 tent sites and 4 RV sites (max 23 ft, no hookups), in a cooler, more sheltered forested canyon on the remote north side — about a 2-hour drive from Pine Springs. Reservable via Recreation.gov.
Frijole Horse Corral Campground
Group and equestrian camping only, near Frijole Ranch, about a mile north of Pine Springs. Corrals, tent pads, and trailer parking for horse users.

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited park-wide (containerized-fuel stoves only). Fees and current details: NPS – Camping.

Good to Know

  • Hiking-only park: there's no scenic loop drive — the main attractions (Guadalupe Peak, El Capitan, McKittrick Canyon) all require hiking.
  • High winds are common and can close trails or campgrounds on short notice, especially in winter and spring.
  • No gas stations in the park — fuel up in Carlsbad, NM or Van Horn, TX.
  • Pine Springs and Dog Canyon aren't directly connected by park road — plan a 2-hour drive around if visiting both.
  • McKittrick Canyon has separate gate hours from the rest of the park — don't get locked in after dark.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, campground availability, and trail conditions change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Guadalupe Mountains National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Backcountry Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions