Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, United States
4.5 (165 reviews) Spent Ranking #1 in Salt Flat National Parks
Short beautiful hikes
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.
Address
400 Pine Canyon Drive, Salt Flat, TX 79847-9400
Mobile
Website
http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 13, 2024, 20:15
User Ratings
4.5 based on (165 reviews)
Reviews
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5shesekmatok 5:00 PM Feb 15, 2022
GO, What R U Waiting For ?
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 ??♀️??♀️??♀️??♀️
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5Autumn G 5:00 PM Jul 20, 2021
Don’t pass this up!
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.
