Guadalupe Mountains
National Park
Located about two hours from the nearest major city, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of only two national parks in Texas. With just over 200,000 visitors annually, it sees about half the foot traffic of Big Bend National Park, making it one of the lesser-visited parks in the U.S. National Park system.
But don’t let its quieter reputation fool you—this park is seriously impressive! It boasts 8 of the 10 tallest peaks in Texas, including the state’s highest point, Guadalupe Peak. The landscape is surprisingly diverse, featuring everything from rugged mountains and deep canyons to sand dunes, forests, and even the occasional snowfall.
Guadalupe Mountains At a Glance
Guadalupe Mountains National Park requires an entrance fee of $10 per person. You can either buy it online in advance, or pay this by card at the visitors center or with cash at any trailhead. Each pass is good for 7 days. Or FREE with the America the Beautiful Pass.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is pretty far from any major cities. It’s 1.5-2 hours east of El Paso and 1 hour SW of Carlsbad, NM (which is a smaller town).
El Paso is home to a larger airport, El Paso International Airport (ELP). So if you’re visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park from outside of Texas, you will want to fly here and rent a car.
The park is mostly accessible year round, so you can plan your visit any time. However, for the most enjoyable experience, we recommend visiting during the warmer months, from April through October.
Reservations are not required to enter the park.
5 Things to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
If you’re looking to experience a Texas hidden gem, we’re sharing the best things to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park to help you plan your adventure!
