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Guadalupe Mountains National Park

National Park · Texas

El Capitan with blooming claret cup cacti
Blossoming claret cup cacti add a splash of color to the Chihuahuan desert. Photo: NPS/Bieri

Hours

See this week's hours below.

Entrance fee
$10 · per person
Phone
915-828-3251
Address
400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, TX 79847

About Guadalupe Mountains

Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna, and the stories of lives shaped through conflict, cooperation and survival.

Hours

Pine Springs

The Pine Springs area, including the campground, visitor center, trailhead, and associated parking areas are open and accessible all of the time during normal operations. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only.

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Salt Basin Dunes

Located on the remote west side of the park, these striking dunes cover nearly 2,000 acres. The Salt Basin Dunes are designated day use only and are accessible for visitation beginning at sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Camping is specifically prohibited. The surface of the access road is clay. During rainy weather, the road becomes dangerously slippery; it is unsafe to travel when wet. The speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Watch for livestock on the roadway.

MondaySunrise to Sunset
TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
FridaySunrise to Sunset
SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
SundaySunrise to Sunset

McKittrick Canyon

McKittrick Canyon is designated as day-use only, with visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) daily. Please exit McKittrick Canyon before the posted closing time. The entrance gate on U.S.Highway 62/180 is locked each evening.

Monday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Frijole Ranch

The Frijole Ranch Road provides access to the Frijole Horse Campsites, the Frijole Ranch History Museum, and the associated trailhead. A picnic area is located at the end of the road. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only.

MondaySunrise to Sunset
TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
FridaySunrise to Sunset
SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
SundaySunrise to Sunset

Dog Canyon

Dog Canyon lies in a secluded, forested canyon on the north end of the park at an elevation of 6,300 feet. Remote and far removed from civilization; it stands at the edge of the wilderness boundary, and offers an ideal location for quiet camping, birding, hiking, and solitude. A visitor center, trailhead, and campground are available. The Dog Canyon district is open all day during normal park operations.

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Entrance fees

Per Person$10An entrance fee of $10 per person (16 years of age and older) is required; entrance fees/passes permit 1-7 consecutive days of use in this national park. Holders of the Annual, Senior, Military, 4th grade and Access Pass can bring in 3 adults free of charge under their pass. Any pass must be displayed in a vehicle while in the national park.
Education/Academic GroupsFreeEntrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose of their visit is educational rather than recreational. Completed applications along with required documentation must be submitted via email. Fee waiver requests must be submitted at least six weeks before a scheduled visit to allow for consideration.

An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.

Getting there

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located on the north side of US Hwy 62/180. If you are traveling east from El Paso, TX, we are 110 miles East of the city. Follow US Hwy 62/180 North to the Pine Springs Visitor Center. If you are traveling from Van Horn, TX, you will travel north on US 54 and make a right-hand turn at the junction of US 62/180 to arrive at the park. If you are traveling west from Carlsbad, NM, you will travel on US Hwy 62/180 South and cross into Texas. Follow signs to the park.

Weather

The Guadalupe Mountains are known for high winds year-round; gusts can reach 60MPH or higher. In winter the mountains experiences occasional, light snowfalls which seldom last more than a day. From May through October, temperatures vary with highs between 80F-100F+ with lows in the 40F-60F range. November to April is generally milder with highs in between 50F-70F with lows in the 30F-50F range. Elevations above 8,000’ will be about 10F cooler than headquarters, with corresponding wind-chill.

Things to do

Auto Off-Roading, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Birdwatching, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Front-Country Hiking, Group Camping, Guided Tours, Hiking, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Horse Camping (see also camping), Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Junior Ranger Program, Museum Exhibits, RV Camping, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Wildlife Watching.

Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Guadalupe Mountains ↗