Top Things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
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The 8 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
A great place for exploring caves.
1. Guadalupe Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 255 reviews
Highest peak in Texas at 8,749 feet.
Reviewed By sldufhglviuser - Stoughton, United States
Among other things in Guadalupe National park, we hiked to the Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. It is a wonderful hike, and though there are some sections that are moderately strenuous it is not that bad. The "summit" is well worth the effort and the views are superb. And, C'mon, it's the highpoint of Texas!! You get to brag to your family and friends about that for sure. DO IT, but allot most of a day to manage it.
2. El Capitan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
A huge geological formation made of limestone.
Reviewed By dphoto1 - Seneca, United States
Beautiful Views .. easy walking trails .. highly recommend this day outing located about an hour from the city of Van Horn.
3. McKittrick Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Scenic canyon with unique animal and plant life.
Reviewed By GroverR - Pensacola, United States
On our transition day from Big Bend to Carlsbad, NM we drove El Camino del Rio but I also allowed for enough time to stretch our legs in McKittrick Canyon. We had too much fun taking pictures of El Capitan rest stop so we did not have the full two hours to make Pratt Cabin, but we did have an amazing walk through a unique canyon. Please note Guadalupe Mountains is administer out of Carlsbad so on Mountain time and Daylight Savings keeps the park open until 6:00. My friend and I made the 5th ford across the creek when we decided to turn around, probably less than a 1/2 mile from the cabin. However, they lock you in at 6:00 and it is a federal felony if you get stuck per the McKittrick VC. Still we saw most of what we wanted to see in the canyon. One of those unique things was water. As the park time had only recently change, we did happen on 5 unsuspecting deer in the creek bottom. Judging by the smell, we also snuck up on a skunk. Unlike most of our experience in the Chihuahuan desert, McKittrick had wide diversity of plants and animals. Abundant water was a part of this and one of the things that made this hike so interesting. Another part that was cool, both figuratively and temperature wise, was hiking in the shadows of the canyon. This was another reason for the plants and tree we saw. As for the hike itself, it was very flat and easy. We saw many families with children returning as we were striking out. The path is gravel and wide. This allowed us to make good time just not enough to get to Pratt Cabin. Still the experience and the wildlife was everything I wanted for this hike. For all these reasons, our entire group loved this. We all had a great time at the entrance sign. Of all the parks we visited, Guadalupe was rank first by Alltrails. It may be a park you have never heard of but it has the best trails you ever want to visit. We all highly recommend this hike. The
4. Smith Spring
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Getting to this scenic area is a popular day hike.
Reviewed By melissabubash - Cincinnati, United States
We just needed something easy to kill time the day after hiking guadalupe peak (we were still tired) and decided to see if the smith museum was open and walk to the spring. We were so glad we did this. It's an easy 3 mile loop (it was nice to have a loop hike instead of an out and back). The spring in the middle is a beautiful oasis in the middle of no where.
5. Devil's Hall Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By edmondite
We (2 couples ages 45-60 in pretty good shape) hiked this on a beautiful fall day about 3:30-5:30 p.m. We were already tired after hiking 6 miles in McKittrick, but we refueled with water and snacks and started our hike. After a long ways on the trail, we descended to the creek bed and followed the wash for a long time, climbing over boulders, seeing lots of bird and mule deer. The surrounding trees were gorgeous as well! Finally we reached the staircase. The steps were slippery but we made it, just in time to see a pit of flies! The people below us said they thought there was something dead in there. It was gross. Anyway, we continued walking through a lot more boulders and finally made it. We celebrated and snacked and took lots of pictures. We were pretty sure it was longer than the 4 miles round trip noted on the information. But we made it back, exhausted and happy. We agreed it was the best thing we did that day!
6. Pinery Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Scenic hiking trail at Pine Springs.
Reviewed By Jolene224 - Bulverde, United States
1/3 of a mile there and 1/3 of a mile back. Would be suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Dogs allowed. Benches along the way to stop and enjoy the scenery
7. Frijole Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By tangojohnDallas - Dallas, United States
Stopped today to visit museum and do the circle hike up to . We clocked walking 2.8 miles going from parking lot to museum and up to spring going up the right side and down on the left. The area where the spring comes out is beautiful. Spent less than 10 minutes inside house, museum. I found the outside more interesting with the spring in the yard and other outside buildings. If you do the hike wear good hiking shoes. We went up to the spring on the right side which is rocky but a little less incline than going up the left side. Don't sweat it if you miss seeing the inside of the museum.
8. Pine Springs Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Jolene224 - Bulverde, United States
There are some informative displays and a station to fill up water bottles. Free WiFi in the visitors center. They turn on the 12 minute movie on request
