Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas is one of the newer parks in the country. It’s home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in all of Texas at 8,749 feet. The park also has the ruins of an old stagecoach station, and the restored Frijole Ranch which hosts a museum of ranching history. The park is in the same mountain range as Carlsbad Caverns, 25 miles to the north.

In part because the park is newer, there are fewer amenities than other national parks. Plan on filling your gas tank before arriving, and bring your own food to eat as there are no restaurants. Cell phone service is also very unreliable. However, all of this also means you’re guaranteed more solitude and fewer crowds than if you headed to a park with more conveniences.

As with many mountain areas, weather can change quickly. During the spring and summer months, temperatures during the day are often between 70-80 ° F, and evening lows are between 40-60 ° F. In fall and winter, highs are in the 50’s-60’s and dip at night to 30-50 ° F.

Towns around the Guadalupe Mountains are few and far between, but there are some fun and unique places to visit. The park is near the border of Texas and New Mexico and you can take side trips to learn more about everything from green chiles to UFO activity.

There are plenty of activities to do inside the park as well. From hiking and backpacking to horseback riding to stargazing, you’ll find plenty of ways to appreciate the natural beauty of west Texas. Along with self-led activities, there are planned events at the park as well. You can find a full calendar of park activities here.