Guadalupe Mountains National Park - General Park Information

Guadalupe Mountains National Park and its facilities are open all year. Information about amphitheater programs and other park activities can be obtained at the Headquarters Visitor Center, McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center and Dog Canyon Ranger Station.
There are no roads within the park. The only major route to the park is US 62/180. This road briefly crosses the southeast corner of the park and offers views of El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak and the eastern and western escarpment. Along the route are the ruins of The Pinery, a Butterfield Stage Station, just east of the Headquarters Visitor Center.
Three short spurs off US 62/180 lead to McKittrick Canyon, the Pine Springs/Headquarters Visitor Center campground complex and Frijole Ranch. Frijole Ranch House contains The Cultural Museum, which traces the human history of the area from more than 10,000 years ago to the present.

While the park lacks roads, it does offer 85 miles of trails for hikers, ranging from .5 to 18 miles. One of the more popular routes begins at McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center and progresses through the lush and twisting McKittrick Canyon. This trail, a relatively short round trip of 7 miles, is limited to day use.
An even shorter hike is the 2.3-mile loop from the Frijole historic site to Smith and Manzanita Springs and back. Longer hikes include travel to Guadalupe Peak, The Bowl and the base of El Capitan. Hikers should always carry water--at least one gallon per person per day.

Campgrounds at Pine Springs and Upper Dog Canyon are open all year on a first-come, first-served basis. Pine Springs is off US 62/180, and Upper Dog Canyon is at the end of New Mexico SR 137. Tent and RV camping are permitted at a cost of $8 per space per night; no hookups are available.

The closest gasoline stations are 35 miles northeast in White's City, 110 miles west in El Paso and 65 miles south in Van Horn.
The brilliant foliage of McKittrick Canyon makes fall the most popular season, but the spring also is beautiful and not as crowded. In general, the summers are warm and winters mild, with temperatures varying with the altitude. Be aware that sudden changes in the weather are common and often are accompanied by strong winds, electrical storms and occasional heavy downpours.