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Texas · Est. 1972

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Last verified $10 / person

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. — nps.gov

GUADALUPE MOUNTAINSTEXAS31.92°N · 104.89°W
El Capitan with blooming claret cup cacti
Photo: NPS/Bieri

Guadalupe Mountains National Park at a glance

State
Texas
Established
September 30, 1972
Size
86,367 acres
2025 visits
206,423
Busiest-park rank
#52 of 63
Entrance
$10 / person

Best time to visit

When is Guadalupe Mountains quiet?

Guadalupe Mountains is busiest in March and quietest in August. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, February is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 206,423 recreation visits, the #52 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Guadalupe Mountains open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA
JFMAMJJASOND
Monthly recreation visits: Jan 12,020, Feb 16,306, Mar 35,185, Apr 27,647, May 19,602, Jun 13,125, Jul 13,226, Aug 9,934, Sep 12,166, Oct 22,294, Nov 19,514, Dec 23,616.

Quietest: AugustBusiest: March

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Guadalupe Mountains

Per person (on foot / bike)$10
Guadalupe Mountains annual pass$35

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Guadalupe Mountains

The National Park Service lists 48 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.
All activities →
  • El Capitan Viewpoint1-30 Minutes · All year

    On the climb up Guadalupe Pass on U.S. Highway 62/180 just a few miles west of the Pine Springs area, this roadside pull-off provides an unparalleled view to the summit of El Capitan.

    Pets OK
  • Guadalupe Peak Viewpoint1-30 Minutes · All year

    This viewpoint, located just to the southeast of the park boundary alongside U.S. Highway 62/180 provides an excellent view to the summit of Guadalupe Peak.

    Pets OK
  • What Time Is It?1-5 Minutes · All year

    Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the Mountain Time Zone. Visitors relying on electronic devices may be misled, as cell signal service for the park comes from towers located in the Central Time Zone. We strongly…

    Fee
  • Dealing with Human Waste5-15 Minutes · All year

    Nothing can spoil a trip in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness as quickly as the discovery of human waste or toilet paper at a prime camping spot or along the trail. Always use the restroom before hiking. If you are on…

    Fee
  • Campground Connector Trail10-20 Minutes · All year

    This short trail connects the visitor center to the campground and the trailhead area at Pine Springs.

    FeePets OK
  • Shop at the Park Store10-45 Minutes · All year

    The park store is operated by Western National Parks Association, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The…

    Fee
  • Visit the historic Frijole Ranch10-60 Minutes · All year

    Frijole Ranch is a delightful oasis on the edge of the dry, lower slopes of the Guadalupe escarpment which truly captures the rugged sprit of the American West. Today the Frijole Ranch History Museum occupies the old…

    Fee
  • Manzanita Spring20-30 Minutes · All year

    The Manzanita Spring Trail is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) out and back trail that begins adjacent the Frijole Ranch. Manzanita Spring is a wide pool that provides excellent bird watching opportunities.

    Fee
Show all 48 things to do

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Guadalupe Mountains

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.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Guadalupe Mountains

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.

400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, TX, 79847 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Guadalupe Mountains

  1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park25 mi~1 h drive (est.)
  2. White Sands National Park103 mi~2 h drive (est.)
  3. Big Bend National Park206 mi~5 h drive (est.)
  4. Saguaro National Park344 mi~8 h drive (est.)
  5. Petrified Forest National Park353 mi~8 h drive (est.)
  6. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve408 mi~10 h drive (est.)

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Closest big cities: San Antonio (414 mi) · Austin (436 mi) · Dallas (478 mi) · Oklahoma City (489 mi)

Road trip

Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains & White Sands

3 parks, about 128 miles between them (~3 h of driving, estimated).

Guadalupe Mountains is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

Photos of Guadalupe Mountains National Park

the slat flats become flooded during monsoon months after large rain events.
Photo: NPS/Yates
Fall colors in Devil's Hall
Photo: NPS/Flores

FAQ

Guadalupe Mountains, quickly

When is the best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
If you want fewer people, go in February, the quietest shoulder-season month. March is the busiest month on average, and August the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
$10 / person. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
Do you need a reservation for Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 2026?
The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
The National Park Service lists 48 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, including El Capitan Viewpoint, Guadalupe Peak Viewpoint, What Time Is It?, Dealing with Human Waste, Campground Connector Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Guadalupe Mountains National Park become a national park?
Guadalupe Mountains National Park was established as a national park on September 30, 1972.
What is the closest national park to Guadalupe Mountains?
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 25 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

  1. 1.Guadalupe Mountains National Park — official site · National Park Service
  2. 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
  3. 3.Guadalupe Mountains National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/gumo.

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