Guadalupe Mountains National park was established in 1972. The mountains are surrounded by the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert. It is the 15th least visited National Park and is a perfect place to go to avoid the crowds 

8 of the 10 highest peaks in Texas are located in the park with Guadalupe peak being the highest at 8,751 feet above sea level.

The Guadalupe Peak Trail is a strenuous 8.4 mile round trip with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Reaching the highest point in Texas is definitely worth the tough hike to see the beautiful views of the mountains and desert.

  

 

Activities:

 -Hiking
 -Camping
 -Backpacking
 -Birdwatching
 -Horseback riding
 -Scenic drives

If you have some time to spend in the area there are a few other parks close by you could visit, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is only 35 minutes away. White Sands National Park and Big Bend National Park are both about 3 hours away.

 

Know Before You Go:

There is no gasoline available in the park or for 35 miles in either direction.

There is no convenience store or food sold in the park 

Pets are prohibited on most trails 

Mountain lions and bears are in the area

Links to helpful tips for mountain lion and bear encounters:

https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/black-bear-safety.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/mountain-lion-safety.htm

November through March is the windy season in the park, fast winds could make driving and hiking unsafe.