Two Days in the Guadalupe Mountains: Texas's Highest Peak

For Guadalupe Mountains hiking, the standouts are the Guadalupe Peak Trail (about 8.4 miles round trip and strenuous, climbing to the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet), McKittrick Canyon to Pratt Cabin or the Grotto (about 4.8 to 6.8 miles round trip, famous for fall color), Devils Hall (about 3.8 miles round trip with a rock scramble), and the easy Smith Spring Loop (about 2.3 miles round trip to a desert spring). The high country of the Bowl and Bear Canyon offers longer forested loops for strong hikers.

The Guadalupe Peak hike is strenuous: about 8.4 miles round trip with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain to the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. Most hikers take 6 to 8 hours. The trail is fully exposed with little shade and no water, and the upper ridge can be brutally windy, so start at first light, carry 3 to 4 liters of water per person, and pack layers.

Late October through mid-November is the prime window, when McKittrick Canyon's bigtooth maples turn red and gold and the air is cool. Spring is notoriously windy, with gusts strong enough to make the summit dangerous. Summer is hot and exposed with little shade, and winter is cold and clear with occasional snow up high. Fall is the clear favorite for hiking and color.

Yes, but it is modest. Entry is about $10 per person for a 7-day pass, and children 15 and under are free. The annual America the Beautiful pass ($80) also covers entry and pays off fast if you visit other national parks. There is no per-vehicle option, so it is charged per adult.

There is no lodging inside the park. The in-park option is Pine Springs Campground, reservable through recreation.gov and busy on fall weekends. For hotels, base in Whites City or Carlsbad, New Mexico, about 35 to 55 minutes northeast and close to Carlsbad Caverns, or in Van Horn, Texas, to the southwest. There is no food or gas in the park, so stock up before you arrive.

Yes, McKittrick Canyon is the most famous fall-color hike in West Texas. Its bigtooth maples turn red and gold from late October through mid-November. Hike to Pratt Cabin (about 4.8 miles round trip) or the Grotto (about 6.8 miles round trip) for the best color. The McKittrick Canyon gate has limited day-use hours, so check the opening and closing times before you drive out.

Absolutely, and most people do. Carlsbad Caverns National Park sits just about 35 to 55 minutes northeast of Guadalupe Mountains, so the two pair naturally into one trip. Many visitors base in Carlsbad or Whites City, New Mexico, hike Guadalupe by day, and tour the caverns on a separate day. El Paso (ELP) is the closest major airport, roughly 1.75 hours west.

No. As in most national parks, pets are not allowed on the hiking trails or in the backcountry at Guadalupe Mountains. Leashed pets are generally permitted only in the campgrounds, parking areas, and along paved roads, and they should never be left alone in a hot car in the desert. If you plan to hike Guadalupe Peak or McKittrick Canyon, leave your dog at home or arrange boarding in Carlsbad or Van Horn.

Yes. Beyond the front-country campgrounds, the park has a network of wilderness campsites in the high country, including near The Bowl and Bear Canyon, reached by strenuous climbs of several thousand feet. Backcountry camping requires a permit, which has generally been free and self-registered at the Pine Springs visitor center, though it is worth confirming the current process before you go. There is no water at the high sites, so you must pack in everything you plan to drink.

Tell us your dates and we ask a local guide who works this area what they can do on your days and what it costs. If nobody is free, we tell you. Asking is free: no card, no deposit, and nothing is held until you say yes.