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Guadalupe Mountains National ParkManzanita Spring is a desirable watering hole for park wildlife.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Directions
Getting There

By Car
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in far West Texas on U.S. Highway 62/180. The driving distance is 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas, or 56 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Visitors traveling to Dog Canyon, on the park's north side, can access the area via New Mexico State Road 137.

Plane
The closest large commercial airline service is El Paso, Texas. Other airlines serve Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lubbock and Midland, Texas and Mesa Airlines offers passenger service between Albuquerque and Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Public Transportation
There is no public transportation or shuttle service available in the park.

Getting Around

While the approach to Guadalupe Mountains National Park is scenic from any direction, there are no paved driving tours within the park. Park roads provide access to the Headquarters Visitor Center and Pine Springs Campground, the McKittrick Canyon Contact Station, Frijole Ranch, Williams Ranch (4X4 only), and trailheads.

Most visitors enjoy the park by hiking along one of over 80 miles of trails; trails range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Many trails are rocky, often steep, and rugged. Trails lead to Guadalupe Peak, around the base of El Capitan, up into the high country, and into McKittrick Canyon. Self-guided nature trails are located at McKittrick Canyon (McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail), at the Headquarters Visitor Center (Pinery Trail), and at Dog Canyon (Indian Meadow Trail).

Western Scrub-Jays are a common bird in the Guadalupes.  

Did You Know?
More than 300 bird species are known to frequent Guadalupe Mountains National Park; there are more than 40 species alone that nest in McKittrick Canyon. With several unique life zones and a myriad of habitats, the park is a birder's paradise.

Last Updated: November 04, 2007 at 16:25 EST