Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park preserves the highest mountains in Texas, anchored by Guadalupe Peak and dramatic desert canyons. The park offers demanding hikes, fossil reef geology, and broad views across the Chihuahuan Desert. It is best suited to visitors seeking quieter, rugged backcountry experiences.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers both day hiking and backpacking in a rugged, high-desert mountain environment defined by steep relief, strong winds, and limited water sources. Day hikes range from demanding summit ascents to canyon and ridge traverses, often involving sustained elevation gain, exposure, and little shade.
Backpacking opportunities emphasize solitude and self-sufficiency, with designated backcountry camps spread across desert basins and forested high country. Routes traverse an ancient fossil reef uplift, giving the park a stark, austere character that contrasts sharply with more heavily visited mountain parks in the West.
Guadalupe Peak
8.4 miles round trip, ~3,000 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: STRENUOUS DAY HIKE.
A sustained hike to the highest point in Texas via a well-maintained trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The route gains elevation steadily from the desert floor to an exposed summit ridge, with expansive views across West Texas and southern New Mexico. While technically straightforward, the climb is physically demanding due to continuous elevation gain, frequent high winds, and limited shade.
- Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking
- Seasons: Year-round
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: *Varies*
- Land Manager: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
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