3 Days in Guadalupe Mountains: Itinerary & Ultimate Guide

Jen, Ollie, and I visited Guadalupe Mountains National Park as part of our exploration of all US National Parks and were blown away by its towering peaks, rugged canyons, and fossil-filled landscapes. Most people only visit this National Park to climb to the “Top of Texas,” but that only scratches the surface of what the Guadalupe Mountains have to offer.

To help you get the most out of your visit, we’ve put together this 3-Day Guadalupe Mountains National Park Itinerary, compiling what we loved most. After the itinerary, you’ll find everything else you need to plan your trip—from the best time to visit and where to camp, to practical tips for exploring this wild slice of West Texas!

ℹ️ About Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the highest peak in Texas—Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet. The park is also known for its rugged canyons, desert landscapes, and a strikingly well-preserved section of the 260-million-year-old Capitan Reef (the largest exposed fossil reef in the world). In more recent history, this land was home to the Mescalero and Lipan Apache peoples, and later became a key stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route in the mid-1800s.

The land was then turned into a national park in 1972 and now receives over 200,000 visitors a year. The park is divided into 5 districts: Pine Springs, Salt Basin Dunes, McKittrick Canyon, Frijole Ranch, and Dog Canyon, so we’ve organized this 3-day itinerary to take you to all of them! Let’s jump in.

📝 3-Day Guadalupe Mountains National Park Itinerary

The following itinerary is how we would spend 3 days in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This itinerary takes you to the top spots in the park, from hiking trails to historic cabins, giving you a taste of all the Guadalupe Mountains have to offer!

Day 1: Guadalupe Peak & Devil’s Hall

We’re kicking off Day 1 hiking to the Top of Texas on the Guadalupe Peak Trail. You’re going to want to start this trail before sunrise. We did this to avoid crowds and were back for a proper lunch around 1 PM. This strenuous 6-8-hour round-trip hike has a 3,000-foot elevation gain, with the first two miles being the steepest. Layer up, bring plenty of water (we carried a gallon each), and snacks to enjoy at the top.

The final mile is exposed, so if it’s windy (this is one of the windiest places in the U.S.), it can be a bit intense. But trust us, the views from the top are unreal. As you climb higher, the surrounding landscape opens up, and near the summit, you can spot ancient fossils from when this area was part of a prehistoric reef.

After you’ve made your way down, fuel up over lunch and rest. We’ll be spending the afternoon exploring the Devil’s Hall Trail. This 2 to 3-hour trail (depending on your speed) starts easily but involves some rock scrambling as you approach the canyon. The final payoff is a set of natural rock stairs that lead up to the narrow canyon. It’s a beautiful contrast to Guadalupe Peak, and especially scenic on the way back in the afternoon light.

We actually skipped going back to our van after Guadalupe Peak and used the connector horse trail to join the Devil’s Hall Trail. The pro is that you save some distance, but the con is that you combine two hard hikes into a difficult one! We ran out of water, so make sure you are well prepared if you want to tackle both in one go.

After Devil’s Peak, and once the sun goes down, don’t skip out on gazing up at the night skies of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, especially if you’re camping within the park or nearby! Then, eat a hearty dinner and get a good night’s rest as you gear up for Day 2.

Trail Maps: Guadalupe Peak Trail & Devil’s Hall Trail

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Day 2: McKittrick Canyon, Frijole Ranch Museum, & Manzanita Spring

Day 2 kicks off with a 2.5-hour hike into McKittrick Canyon, one of the most unique and unexpectedly lush parts of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The trail is mostly flat with just a bit of elevation gain and a few riverbed crossings, leading you through a canyon filled with colorful rock walls, desert plants, and wildlife!

We hiked to Pratt Cabin, which has a shady front porch and great views of the canyon walls, before continuing to The Grotto, a small alcove cave, and Hunter Line Shack, a historic stone and wood cabin. Both of these final stops are 5 minutes from each other and have picnic tables. We happened to do this hike in the rain, which made the canyon smell amazing—a mix of woodsy and floral scents that made the whole experience even more memorable.

After lunch, head back to the trailhead and drive 15 minutes over to the Frijole Ranch Museum, a quick and worthwhile stop to get a glimpse into the human history of the area, from early ranchers to stagecoach routes. If you’re looking for another nearby trail before the end of the day, go on the Smith Spring Trail, a 1-hour loop trail that travels from the Frijole Ranch to Manzanita Spring.

Trail Maps: McKittrick Canyon Trail & Smith Spring and Manzanita Spring Loop Trail

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Day 3: The Pinery & Salt Basin Dunes

Start your day with a short 22-minute walk to The Pinery, the stone ruins of an 1858 stagecoach stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route. It’s a quick and scenic trail with historical plaques, and it’s also the only dog-friendly trail in the park—perfect for a stroll with your pup if you’re traveling with one like we were!

After your short walk, head over to the Pine Springs Visitor Center to check out their exhibits on the local flora and fauna. While here, ask about conditions in the Salt Basin Dunes, your next stop. On our visit, it was raining and we were advised not to make the drive over there as the dunes turn into “pancake batter” when wet.

After lunch, weather permitting, drive about an hour west to the Salt Basin Dunes, a stunning stretch of white gypsum sand set against the mountains. The short 1-hour hike to the dunes is ideal around sunrise or sunset, when the light and colors are most dramatic.

If you’re up for even more exploring after the dunes, you’ve got the Dog Canyon Trail nearby, a 1.5-hour forested trail that offers a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience. And that wraps up Day 3!

Trail Maps: The Pinery Trail & Salt Basin Dunes Trail

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🌤️ Best Time to Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park

We think the best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park is during the spring (March–May) or fall (September–November), when temperatures are milder. Summer brings intense heat, especially at lower elevations, while winter can deliver snow and freezing temperatures to mountain trails like Guadalupe Peak.

Spring and fall also tend to have the most stable weather, but it’s still important to check wind conditions—gusts over 60 mph are not uncommon here, particularly in winter and early spring. October is the park’s busiest month, especially in McKittrick Canyon, as visitors flock to see the vibrant fall foliage.

⏰ How Many Days Do You Need in Guadalupe Mountains National Park?

The number of days you should spend in Guadalupe Mountains National Park largely depends on how many hikes you’re hoping to tackle—we think the sweet spot is 2–3 days. If you’re a seasoned hiker or want to explore all five park districts, adding more days can be well worth it. Here’s a rough idea of what you can fit into different trip lengths:

• 1 Day: Hike to Guadalupe Peak in the morning, then explore a shorter trail like Devil’s Hall in the afternoon.
• 2 Days: Spend Day 1 summiting Guadalupe Peak and hiking Devil’s Hall. On Day 2, hike McKittrick Canyon and explore Frijole Ranch and Manzanita Spring.
• 3 Days: Do the full 3-day Guadalupe Mountains National Park Itinerary from this article!😁
• 4+ Days: Add in longer or more challenging trails like Hunter Peak via Bear Canyon, El Capitan Trail, or overnight backcountry hiking. You could also take your time exploring each district and enjoy slower mornings or sunset photography sessions at the dunes.

🏨 Where to Stay When Visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Here’s a breakdown of free and paid campgrounds, hotels, and other places to spend the night, both within and outside of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

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Guadalupe Mountains Campgrounds

• Pine Springs Campground – Offers basic RV (no hookups) and tent camping. Tent sites are a short walk from parking, with pit toilets and shared picnic tables. $20/night for individual sites, $60/night for group sites on Recreation.gov.
• Dog Canyon Campground – A quieter, cooler campground in the park’s northern section, more sheltered from wind. $20/night for individual sites, $60/night for group sites on Recreation.gov.
• Frijole Horse Corral Campground – For visitors with horses (10-animal limit), located on the park’s east side. $20/night on Recreation.gov.
• Backcountry Camping – 10 designated campgrounds (60 sites total), permit required. $6 wilderness permits can be obtained 1 day in advance at Pine Springs Visitor Center or online at Recreation.gov/permits. After the permit, there is a $6/night per person fee. Bring all your water and a wind-sturdy tent—conditions can be intense, but the solitude is unmatched!

Free RV Camping

All Texas road stops allow you to stay one night for free! Some have amenities like bathrooms, while others are just a place to park for the night! Here are 3 that we stayed at.

• El Capitan View Point — This rest stop has incredible views of El Capitan and allows you to park your RV overnight. No amenities or bathrooms, but close to the park.
• Pine Spring Safety Rest Stop — This rest stop has 18 car parking spots and 10 18-wheeler or RV spots. The bathrooms were clean, and there were views of the Guadalupe Mountains.
• Chosa Campground — We stayed at this free, first-come, first-serve lot-style campground and loved it! There were several other campers parked at the same time as us, and the campground even had trash disposal. You could stay in a tent, but the winds are known to pick up here, so we recommend staying in a car or van if possible.
• Drive into New Mexico — Drive 15 minutes until you cross the border into New Mexico, where there is an abundance of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land like this Crystal Snake Pull Off BLM, where you can stay the night for free!

Hotels Near Guadalupe Mountains National Park

• Budget — Karbani Inn is an affordable motel located a 40-minute drive away from the park, in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
• Moderate — Sleep Inn & Suites Carlsbad Caverns Area is a hotel with a small indoor pool and a bit more comfort than Karbani Inn, also located in Carlsbad.
• Luxury — Hyatt House Carlsbad is a highly-rated hotel with a pool, gym, and work areas located in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

🌮 Best Restaurants Near Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The closest town, Carlsbad, New Mexico, is located 40 minutes away and is filled with a ton of restaurants. Here are three top restaurants to keep in mind if you’re in the mood to grab a meal:

• Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Co — Brewery and pizzeria we visited in downtown Carlsbad, where you can sip on a flight of beer, dig into some artisan pizza, and relax on their patio.
• The Trinity Hotel Restaurant — Sit-down restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with American breakfast classics and some Italian-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner.
• The Carrot Top — New food-truck health food restaurant serving up breakfast bowls, protein smoothies, salads, paninis, and wraps.
• El Charro — No frills Mexican diner serving up tacos, enchiladas, and more Mexican dishes to eat in or to go.

💰 How Much Does a Trip to the Guadalupe Mountains Cost?

We found Guadalupe Mountains National Park to be one of the more affordable parks to visit. Here’s a quick look at what you might expect to spend.

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🚗 How to Get to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Dell City, Texas. If you don’t have access to a car, van, or motorbike, we highly recommend using a rental company. Here’s a breakdown of how to get to the park:

• Car — The easiest way to reach the park is by car. It’s about 2 hours from El Paso, 1 hour from Carlsbad, and 3.5 hours from Midland.
• Public Transport — There’s no public transport directly to the park. We recommend renting a car from El Paso or Carlsbad.
• Plane — Fly into El Paso (ELP) for the most flight options. Midland (MAF) and Carlsbad (CNM) are smaller alternatives. From the airport, we recommend renting a car.

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🪧 Learn More: How to Help the Guadalupe Mountains

Guadalupe Mountains National Park faces ongoing challenges from invasive species, human impact, and climate change. One major concern is the presence of Barbary sheep (aoudad)—a non-native species originally from North and West Africa that competes with native wildlife like mule deer and bighorn sheep for limited food and water.

You can help protect the park by sticking to designated trails, packing out all trash, and respecting wildlife from a distance. Consider donating to park-related nonprofits like the National Parks Conservation Association, or even donating a few dollars at a visitor center.

Read Next:

Top 7 Hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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