Entrance Fee/Parking/Time Zone

We recommend entering the park near the Pine Springs Visitor Center, where you can pay the $10 entrance fee, walk through the museum, and grab some maps of the terrain. GMNP is a wilderness park with few roads, so an extra map is recommended as you wander the terrain.

Even though GMNP is widely considered the least visited national park, it’s still enormously popular in the late spring and early fall. If you’re visiting during these busy months, arrive early to get a parking spot before the lots fill up. The Pine Springs parking lot is usually the first to reach capacity. If it’s full when you arrive, try one of these other lots at alternate trailheads throughout the park.

You’ll also want to note the time, as your devices might not update correctly. Most of Texas is in the Central Time Zone, but the park is a few miles north of the boundary separating Mountain Time from Central Time. Your phone or watch will likely show Central Time when you’re actually in Mountain Time.

Hike Along McKittrick Canyon

Our favorite moderate hike is the McKittrick Canyon Trail. Named for one of the area's first settlers, this trail passes through woodlands, deserts, high plains, and alongside a mountain stream.

The seven-mile out-and-back trail takes roughly three hours to complete and is a great way to experience the park’s diverse landscape. It’s especially popular in the fall when the leaves turn scarlet and burnt orange.

Hike to the Top of Guadalupe Peak

If you're up for a challenging adventure with breathtaking views, we recommend the hike to the top of Guadalupe Peak. This rugged, eight-mile hike usually takes five to six hours to complete. We suggest starting early to ensure a safe descent before the sun is high in the sky.

As you make your ascent, you’ll pass through multiple ecosystems and have a birds-eye view of unique geological formations. When you reach the top, you’ll be standing at 8,751 feet— the “top of Texas!”

Desert Camping

If you’re staying overnight, we like the Pine Springs Campground. This developed campground can be reserved six months in advance and is located at the base of Guadalupe Peak. So, if you’re planning on hiking the peak, this is a great base camp spot. The campsite has potable water, restrooms, and a utility sink. It’s also an amazing stargazing spot!

You can also catch the night sky program at the nearby Pine Springs Amphitheater, within walking distance of the campground. After 7:30 p.m., a ranger will describe the constellations visible from the park and provide interesting facts about the night sky. This is a great way to end your day at the park.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is worth the trip. It is one of a group of national parks that are often forgotten but make for an incredible trip!