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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
4.5
165 reviews
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4.5
165 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
60
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Michael K
Davenport, IA837 contributions
Short beautiful hikes
Nov 2021
Two great hikes, the McKittrick trail was crowded but beautiful with the leaves turning. This was a fairly easy hike, we went only to "the grotto" so it was 3.4miles each way and not much elevation gain. We also did the loop to Smith Springs and this was a short but gorgeous trail with the area at the springs a beautiful reward for a little bit of climbing: a green and deciduous oasis different from the desert trail we climbed to get there. This tail was also easy-moderate and only 2.5 miles for the whole loop.
The visitor center is in a weird kind-of Covid lockdown with only 6 people allowed in the visitor center at a time, and a ranger enforcing this closely. It is a small center compared to some National Parks, but interesting if you don't feel rushed because people are waiting for you to leave.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
shesekmatok
Los Angeles, CA689 contributions
GO, What R U Waiting For 😉
Dec 2021 • Friends
Hello fellow travelers 👋🏾👋🏾

Great hiking experience is here!
On the smaller side of national parks, which makes hiking easier. A lot of trails, start from the same spot.

We've stayed in the national park's Campground for 5 nights.
At least, That was the plan.
But the park was hit with winds and gusts that made us collapse the tent for 2 nights.
A few words about the Campground.
15$ for a night, which are worth it.
The campsites have some privacy and some are a short walk from the parking spot.
There are skunks and apparently they know how to open zippers, so we got a visit from a baby skunk on our first night.
Keep ur food/trash out of the campsite.

As for toilets. There are 2 vault toilets at the edge of the Campground and flush toilets with sinks, at the Trailhead.
Also, there's an outside sink for dishes.
You need to book a spot on the nps website.
Campground hosts are on the premises.

First day hike was to Guadalupe Peak. Amazing views and u get to take a great pic of El Capitan.
The 2nd day, due to weather conditions, we drove to the Sitting Bull Falls and hiked over there.
3rd day Hunter Peak.
4th day McKittrick Canyon
5th and last day Devil's Hall - short hike.

If you have one day, definitely go for the Guadalupe peak
2 days, I recommend to do a trail in McKittrick Canyon for some different views.

Guadalupe Peak isn't an easy hike, but definitely doable and the peak is rewarding.

The park wasn't too busy during weekdays. McKittrick and the sitting Bull Falls, were quite empty.

Devil's Hall, was the less traveled one.

we've started the hikes relatively late, because day light comes round 7am and it's really cold in the morning.

I have enjoyed all of the hikes immensely.
Each one, had it's unique views.
check the pics

Got questions? Feel free to ask...

Have fun 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️
Written February 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Autumn G
290 contributions
Don’t pass this up!
Jul 2021 • Family
This place is incredible- we just showed up on a whim after visiting Carlsbad Caverns and it has a beauty all its own. We only had a few hours to spend there so we went to the visitor’s center first and took the short nature trail from there which went to the ruins of an old outpost. We then drove over to the Frijole Ranch and took the Manzanita/Smith Springs trail. We hiked it for about 40 minutes and then had to turn back due to time. Some elevation gain and rocky terrain but very beautiful with lots of plants and interesting creatures along the way. Wish we had more time and could have made it all the way to Smith Springs.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tleeEvans
Houston, TX897 contributions
Wilderness at its best
May 2022
Went over Memorial Day only to find most of the park is closed due to extreme drought and fire conditions. Only Pine Canyon visitor center is open, with only two trails available to hike. Both start at the RV section of the campground. The Park Ranger at the visitor center was not very helpful at all, and seems very put out by the visitors asking about open trails. Will need to go back after the dry windy weather is gone, so can see more of hate park. this park is unlike some other NP, there is not a main road that travels throughout the park. So with the Mckittrick Canyon Visitor center closed and everything in that area was not accessible. The scenery is beautiful and one of the trails going to the El Capitan is open, but it does take several hours to hike and with the heat in the 100's, you have to start very early.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
brock c
1 contribution
My experience was awful.
Apr 2021 • Friends
I was told I had to leave the campground at night after trying to find the camp ground officers for hours. I tried calling the park to make reservations, nobody was at the park office upon arrival, and you can’t reserve. It was a total crap shoot for myself and others who had no clue how to effectively get a spot. We had been driving for 12 hours and had set up camp before the camp rangers forced us to leave after trying to locate them.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mgs1627
Chicago, IL757 contributions
Lots of hiking trails
Apr 2021
We went here at the beginning of April. Our first hike was on the Smith Spring Trail which is 2.3 miles round trip. We were told to look for birds deer and elk along the way but we didn't see any wildlife. It was early in the season so there were no flowers or bright colors. This trail is very rocky and we spent most of our time looking down to make sure we didn't misstep and fall.
The second trail we went on was McKittrick Canyon trail to Pratt Cabin. We liked this trail much more. There were some rocky parts but overall a better surface to hike on. The hike is about 4.8 miles round trip. If you plan to go further to the Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin that is z 6.8 mile hike round trip.
There are many more trails including the 8.4 mile round trip hike to the Guadalupe Peak which is strenuous and can take 6-8 hours.
I would love to go back here when the flowers are in bloom.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bill K
Mantorville, MN6,313 contributions
Excellent Hiking Park
Nov 2020
There are no drives through this park, so the best way to experience it is by hiking. There are several flatter, easier trails, and there are some very challenging trails. Something for just about everyone.

If you choose some of the more challenging trails then pack plenty of water, snacks, layered clothing, materials for bathroom breaks (no restrooms on the trails), sunscreen, and such.
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
melissa w
Cincinnati, OH1,031 contributions
Can cover the park in 2 days
Mar 2020
We visited GMNP as part of our trip to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend State Park, and Carlsbad Caverns. 2 days was plenty to feel like we saw a large part of the park. We stayed in Pine Springs Campground for 3 nights which was decent for a developed NP campground. Guadalupe Peak was definitely a highlight of GMNP but was strenuous and took a whole day. Smith Spring and the ranch was worth the visit. We also drove out to the Salt Basin Sand dunes. They were neat but compared to other dunes we've seen (amazing dunes in Death Valley NP), they were fairly underwhelming and took a lot of time for what they were. Another highlight was driving out to Williams Ranch (I wish I could add pictures because this had spectacular views). This requires a high clearance vehicle with good tires though. Overall, the park is worth the visit, you just don't need a ton of time.
Written March 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Siandra W
Coffs Harbour, Australia507 contributions
What a majestic NP, breathtaking!
Oct 2022
Absolutely breathtaking. The mountains just rise to the occasion! The diversity, the remoteness and the beauty are extraordinary. We loved this NP and we probably took some of our best photos here as well. The visitor centre is very good although a bit too small when there is lots of people in there. However the young female ranger that we spoke to was great and full of information so we appreciated that. I love national parks that are not too crowded, it was just a lovely visit with spectacular views everywhere!
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lew
Jefferson City, MO28 contributions
Campers beware
Apr 2022 • Couples
Campground layout is poor. We were tenting and most of the campsites are walk in. This means that you are either a long walk from your car or if you had a site close to the road, everyone was walking back and forth by your site. Little privacy and quite a bit of noise. If you have a trailer or Rv it’s worse….you are in the middle of a parking lot. Park is very nice, with good trails and awesome views.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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