400 Pine Canyon
Salt Flat, TX 79847
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.
Park District - 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. Park District - Salt Basin DunesLocated 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. Park District - McKittrick Canyon- Every Day:8:00 AM–5:00 PM
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. Park District - Frijole RanchThe 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. Park District - 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.
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.
Entrance Fee (Standard Entrance Pass) Other Entrance Passes | Type | Cost |
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| Annual Park Pass | $35.00 |
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Pine Springs Visitor Center is the park's main visitor center and headquarters. Visitors can pay entrance and camping fees, tour the museum, purchase items from the park store, pick up brochures and maps, and obtain overnight wilderness use permits here. - Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Pine Springs Visitor Center is open year-round, closing on New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
When staffing levels or scheduling needs require, this visitor center may close for a lunch break from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Mountain time. Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsHolidays2025–2026 | New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Closed |
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| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Closed |
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| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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Visitors can pick up brochures and maps from the Dog Canyon Ranger Station when staff or volunteers are available. The Dog Canyon Ranger Station is open intermittently depending on staff availability. If staff and volunteers are present they may be patrolling trails or the campground and not necessarily inside the station. Closed today The Dog Canyon Ranger Station is open intermittently depending on staff availability. Staff and volunteers may be in the area and not necessarily inside the station. Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsHolidays2025–2026 | New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Closed |
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| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 19, 2026 | Closed |
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| Washington's Birthday | February 16, 2026 | Closed |
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| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Closed |
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| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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Visit the contact station at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon (staffed during peak seasons in the spring and fall). Pick up a park brochure, and view the outside exhibits and video. Closed today McKittrick Canyon is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time. The gate at the highway is closed and locked at 5:00 PM. All visitors must be out of the area by 5:00 PM. The McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center restrooms are open daily. The trailhead is immediately through the breezeway. View the outside exhibits and video. The visitor center is open intermittently depending on staff availability.
Public WiFi is available.
Free public WiFi is available at the Pine Springs visitor center and Dog Canyon Ranger Station.
Cell service is generally available around Pine Springs and Frijole Ranch. Dead zones do exist in the Wilderness, along longer trails, in canyons, and in the Salt Basin Dunes. Check with your provider to verify coverage. Cellular service is available in most nearby communities and along some of the major roads leading to the park. However, areas without coverage do exist throughout the region.
A Note About Goods & Services
Visiting Guadalupe Mountains requires some planning to ensure that your experience is a pleasant one. Below is a list of things to remember when visiting the park.
- There is no gasoline available in the park. In Texas, the nearest communities with full services are Van Horn (60 miles south), and El Paso (120 miles west). When traveling from New Mexico, Whites City is the last place that offers gas, diesel, food and ice.
- We're not kidding. No gas is available for 35 miles in either direction from the visitor center. Plan accordingly.
- Campgrounds offer primitive dry camping for both tents and RVs. Other than restrooms and potable water, there are no other amenities. There are no lodges in the park.
- Bring the food you need. There is no restaraunt or grocery in the park.
A Note About Time Zones
The Park is in Mountain Time. Your smart devices will probably be wrong.
Pets Prohibited on Most Trails
Opportunities for dogs are severely limited. We encourage visitors to think twice before bringing their dog to the park.
What time is it?
Guadalupe Mountains is in the Mountain Time Zone; it is likely that your smart phone will display the time incorrectly during your visit.
Plan Your Visit
Planning a visit? Discover the hiking, birding, backpacking, picnicking and many more opportunities that await you.
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