Pine Top Wilderness Campground

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Basic Information

A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. Pine Top is the backcountry campground in closest proximity to the Bowl and offers excellent views of the park's highest peaks. Pine Top is an excellent choice for a single night backpack trip. It is 3.9 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead via the Tejas and Bush Mountain Trails. Elevation gain is 2,300 feet. Though secluded in trees, Pine Top is susceptible to high winds & lightning. Eight designated campsites are defined by tent pads.

TOTAL SITES: 8

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 8

Walk to/Boat to: 8

Group: 0

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

No

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

No

Food Storage Lockers

No

Camp Store

No

Ice for Sale

No

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

No

Amphitheater

No

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

No Water

Fire/Stove Policy

Fires, including charcoal fires, are not permitted anywhere in the park. Bring a backpacking stove if you plan to cook.

Toilet Types

• No Toilets

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

Wilderness Campgrounds may close due to emergency, maintenance work, or resource protection concerns. All wilderness campgrounds require a Wilderness Use Permit to stay overnight, and all campers must use the tent pads.

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Fees

Permit Reservation Fee

All Wilderness Use Permits for overnight camping will require a $6 reservation fee (one per permit) plus a scalable $6 per-person-per-night recreation fee for each individual listed on the permit.

$6.00

Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee

In addition to the $6 Reservation Fee, all Wilderness Use Permits for overnight camping will require a scalable $6 per-person-per-night recreation fee for each individual listed on the permit. For example, one person camping one night would pay $6; while three people camping one night would pay $18; one person camping two nights would pay $12; while three people camping two nights would pay $36.

$6.00

Contact Information & Directions

Additional Information & Regulations

Regulations

• A wilderness use permit is required before you occupy any wilderness campsite in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
• Use or discharge of firearms is prohibited. All wildlife is protected by federal law. Possession of other weapons, traps, or explosives is prohibited.
• Camp fires are prohibited in the Guadalupe Mountains. Use containerized fuel stoves only.
• Contain your trash and pack it out.
• No pets on trails or in the backcountry.
• To protect the landscape and prevent erosion, do not take shortcuts on trails.
• Collecting or disturbing any natural or historical feature or object is prohibited.
• Camp within designated sites.
• The use of hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited. 
• The use of a landfill-safe commercial toilet bag system is required for all overnight wilderness permit holders. A minimum of one bag per person per night is required and proof of possession must be shown when permit is issued.
• Do not feed wildlife.

More about regulations

Reservations

A Wilderness Use Permit is required for use of any wilderness camping and can be obtained up to one day in advance of your trip. Advanced reservations for Wilderness Use Permits are available through the recreation.gov service.

Reservations

Image Gallery

A hardened dirt surface in a rocky mountain landscape

A hardened dirt surface for tents with rocks beyond and a tree above

A square hardened surface in a forested area

a trail leads to a shaded square surface for a tent in a forested area

mountains can be seen in the background of a hardened surface fore a tent

The tent pads allow for camp sites to limit impact on the landscape of the park.
NPS Photo

Tent pad areas are cleared of rocks to create level surfaces for camping.
NPS Photo

Camping must be confined to the provided tent pads.
NPS Photo

Some tent pads are more private and have shade
NPS Photo

Some tent pads have views of the surrounding area.
NPS photo

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - The Pine Top Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.

Wheelchair Access - The Pine Top Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.

RV & Trailer Information - The Pine Top Campground is a primitive camping area accessible only by foot trail.

RV Allowed - No

Trailer Allowed - No

Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite.