Welcome to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Short hikes, long hikes, or go for the big one, all the way to the top of the tallest mountain in Texas! But be prepared for a MAJOR hike to get to the top of 8,749 foot Guadalupe Peak. I didn't make it.

I tried, but a long winter of sitting around the house looking out at the snow had flabbed more muscles than I thought.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is almost as far west as you can go in the state of Texas. It's on highway 62/180 110 miles east of El Paso and 55 miles sw of Carlsbad, New Mexico. SO, if you're visiting Carlsbad caverns, this is a short side trip. Come on down for picnic, if nothing else.

The premier hike, of course, is up to Guadalupe Peak, but there are a lot of shorter and almost as interesting hikes.

There are 10 back country campsites, you have to have a permit, but they're free at the park headquarters. There is a 4-wheeler drive, seven pretty rough miles to an historic ranch.

If you're going to do the Guadalupe Peak hike, check the weather and get an early morning start. This is a moderately difficult hike, about 8 1/2 miles round trip. Going up is just that, the trail does nothing but go UP, and steeply so. The average hiker in GOOD shape will take 5 hours to make the hike, but 6 or more hours is not anything to be ashamed of.

The Park's website is here.

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	GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Short hikes, long hikes, or go for the big one, all the way to the top of the tallest mountain in Texas! But be prepared for a MAJOR hike to get to the top of 8,749 foot Guadalupe Peak. I didn't make it. I tried, but a long winter of sitting around the house looking out at the snow had flabbed more muscles than I thought. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is almost as far west as you can go in the state of Texas. It's on highway 62/180 110 miles east of El Paso and 55 miles sw of Carlsbad, New Mexico. SO, if you're visiting Carlsbad caverns, this is a short side trip. Come on down for picnic, if nothing else. The premier hike, of course, is up to Guadalupe Peak, but there are a lot of shorter and almost as interesting hikes. There are 10 back country campsites, you have to have a permit, but they're free at the park headquarters. There is a 4-wheeler drive, seven pretty rough miles to an historic ranch. If you're going to do the Guadalupe Peak hike, check the weather and get an early morning start. This is a moderately difficult hike, about 8 1/2 miles round trip. Going up is just that, the trail does nothing but go UP, and steeply so. The average hiker in GOOD shape will take 5 hours to make the hike, but 6 or more hours is not anything to be ashamed of. The Park's website is here. RETURN TO HOME PAGE