Guadalupe Webcams

Introduction

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, established in 1972, preserves a portion of the Guadalupe Mountains, a rugged range running north-south across Texas and New Mexico. These ancient mountains have witnessed over 10,000 years of human history, from hunter-gatherers to Spanish explorers. The park commemorates this rich heritage, including conflicts, cooperation, and survival stories. In 2021, Guadalupe Mountains National Park welcomed a record 243,000 visitors, marking a 28% increase since 2019. During spring break and fall colors season, expect traffic control measures at popular trailheads.

The park spans 86,367 acres (349.5 km²) within the Guadalupe Mountains. Its highest peak, Guadalupe Peak, stands at 8,751 feet (2,667 m), earning it the nickname "Top of Texas." The landscape features diverse ecosystems, from harsh Chihuahuan desert to lush streamside woodlands, rocky canyons, and mountaintop forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park hosts an impressive array of wildlife. Sixty species of mammals, 289 bird species, and 55 reptile species call this area home. For more information, go to the park’s Wikipedia page.

Top Hikes

There are over 80 miles of trails within Guadalupe National Park.  The list is pretty extensive, with around 20 trails.  It can get very hot within the park. The best time to hike is in the fall to late spring.  Make sure you bring plenty of water. Below are the top ones.

The Guadalupe Peak Trail (my favorite) is a strenuous hike that leads to the highest point in Texas at an elevation of 8,751 feet (2,667 m). The trail is 8.4 miles (13.5 km) long and has a total ascent of 3,000 feet (914 m). It takes approximately 7 hours. The view of the surrounding area at top is incredible.  I would highly recommend the hike for anyone who is in physical shape. To get to the trailhead, you can park at the Pine Springs Trailhead parking lot. The parking lot fills up quickly, so it's best to arrive early. If the parking lot is full, you can park at the Pine Springs Visitor Center and walk 0.4 miles (.64 km) to the trailhead.

Devil's Hall Trail takes you through a narrow canyon and requires scrambling on boulders, which can be technical and require experienced skills. It is a moderate to strenuous hike that is approximately 4.2 miles (6.75 km) long and has a total ascent of 548 feet (167 m). The trail takes around three hours. The trailhead is located at the Pine Springs Trailhead parking lot. The trail ends at Devil's Hall, a narrow canyon made of layered rocks. It's important to note that the difficulty of the trail varies based on conditions along the trail. If the wash is dry and you have experience rock scrambling, this trail is of moderate difficulty and takes most people about 2 hours. However, if the wash is wet, this hike becomes much more difficult and longer to hike. Rainy conditions are more likely to occur in the late-summer and the National Park Service urges people to not do this hike in wet or rainy conditions.

The McKittrick Canyon Trail to Pratt Cabin is a moderate hike that is approximately 4.75 miles (7.64 km) long and has a total ascent of 525 feet (160 m). The trail is known for its beautiful fall foliage and is a great option for families with children. The trail leads to the Pratt Cabin and The Grotto, which are two of the most popular sights in the park. To get to the trailhead, you can park at the Pine Springs Trailhead parking lot. The parking lot fills up quickly, so it's best to arrive early. If the parking lot is full, you can park at the Pine Springs Visitor Center and walk 0.4 miles (.64 km) to the trailhead.

The El Capitan Trail is a moderately challenging hiking, it is approximately 9.1 miles (14.6 km) long and has a total ascent of 1,656 feet (505 m). The trail features the southernmost point in the Guadalupe Mountains and showcases the iconic peak of El Capitan. The trail begins at the Pine Springs trailhead and travels to the base of the mountain with stunning valley views along the way. The trail itself is rocky and it is recommended to wear sturdy footwear.

Backpacking Trips

The NPS list several hikes at their site.  If you're planning on camping, make sure to get a backcountry permit beforehand.  The links below can help you with your planning.  The best times to visit this trail are from October through May.  My favorite is below,

The Tejas Trail, McKittrick Canyon Trail, and Dog Canyon Trail is a scenic point-to-point route that leads visitors along some of the more popular trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, United States. The trail is approximately 20.5 miles (33 km) long and offers a scenic route through the park's diverse flora and fauna. The trail begins at the Dog Canyon Campground Trailhead and links up with McKittrick Ridge before ending at the McKittrick Visitor's Center. Along the way, you'll encounter a mix of terrain from exposed and rocky switchbacks to flat and level hiking trails in the valley.

Campgrounds/Lodges

There are no hotel or Lodges within the park.

There are three campgrounds within Guadalupe National Park. They can be reserved at recreation.gov.  Link is below.

Pine Springs Campground is near the Pine Springs Visitor Center.  It is located near the base of Guadalupe Peak. Campground conveniences include: potable water, accessible flush-toilet restrooms, and utility sink. There are 20 tent sites.  Small junipers and oaks partially shade most of the sites and each site has a picnic table. Occupancy of individual campsites is limited to 6 people and 2 tents per site. The RV camping area is a paved parking lot with 13 sites to choose from. The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 55 feet (17 m). There are no hook-ups and there is no dump station. No hose connection for fresh water tanks.

Dog Canyon Campground is in a secluded, forested canyon on the remote north side of the park, a two hour drive from Pine Springs. Due to a slightly higher elevation and protected location beneath steep cliff walls, it remains cooler than Pine Springs campground in the summer and sheltered from strong gusty winds in winter and spring. The campground has 9 tent sites and 4 RV sites. The maximum length of a RV is 23 feet (7 m).  There no hookups, nor dump station. Restrooms have sinks and flush toilets, but no showers.

The Frijole Horse Corral Campground is located near the beginning of the Frijole Ranch Road, one mile (1.6 km) north of Pine Springs. Just a short distance from the highway, this facility offers corrals, tent pads, pit toilet, and trailer parking for group campers and horse users.