Guadalupe Mountains National Park

400 Pine Canyon (Pine Springs Visitor Center, off US-62/180) · Salt Flat, TX

Why you should go…

Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects what the National Park Service calls the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, along with the four highest peaks in Texas. The Guadalupe Peak Trail climbs about 3,000 feet over 8.5 miles round trip to the 8,751-foot summit, and spring-fed McKittrick Canyon shelters bigtooth maples. Start at the Pine Springs Visitor Center, and come supplied: there is no restaurant or grocery in the park and no gas for 35 miles in either direction.

#national park
#hiking
#guadalupe peak
#backpacking
#desert canyons

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

Weather calls the shots
Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.
Shoes, water, sun cover
The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.
Parking and launches fill early
On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.
Daylight shrinks in shoulder season
Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.