Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the vast Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. It’s known for its bright-white Salt Basin Dunes, wildlife-rich grassland and fossilized reef mountains. The Guadalupe Peak Trail weaves up through a conifer forest to the state’s highest summit, with views of the rocky El Capitan peak to the south. In the north, the McKittrick Canyon Trail is known for its colorful fall foliage.
https://www.nps.gov/gumo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadalupe_Mountains_National_Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the vast Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. It’s known for its bright-white Salt Basin Dunes, wildlife-rich grassland and fossilized reef mountains. The Guadalupe Peak Trail weaves up through a conifer forest to the state’s highest summit, with views of the rocky El Capitan peak to the south. In the north, the McKittrick Canyon Trail is known for its colorful fall foliage.
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna, and the stories of lives shaped through conflict, cooperation and survival.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located on the north side of US Hwy 62/180. If you are traveling east from El Paso, TX, we are 110 miles East of the city. Follow US Hwy 62/180 North to the Pine Springs Visitor Center. If you are traveling from Van Horn, TX, you will travel north on US 54 and make a right-hand turn at the junction of US 62/180 to arrive at the park. If you are traveling west from Carlsbad, NM, you will travel on US Hwy 62/180 South and cross into Texas. Follow signs to the park.
Dog Canyon Ranger Station
Visitors can pick up brochures and maps from the Dog Canyon Ranger Station when staff or volunteers are available. The Dog Canyon Ranger Station is open intermittently depending on staff availability. If staff and volunteers are present they may be patrolling trails or the campground and not necessarily inside the station.
Coming from Texas: Traveling north on Highway 62/180 you will cross the state line into New Mexico. About 27 miles after crossing the state line, you will come up on the junction of Dark Canyon Rd-408. Turning in to Dark Canyon Rd-408 N follow the road for 22 miles to the junction of NM-137 N. At the junction, turn into NM-137 N and follow for 35 miles to the entrance of Dog Canyon.
McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center
Visit the contact station at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon (staffed during peak seasons in the spring and fall). Pick up a park brochure, and view the outside exhibits and video.
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, 56 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico or 62 miles north of Van Horn on Hwy 54. The McKittrick Canyon access road is seven miles north of the Pine Springs visitor center. The McKittrick Canyon visitor center is at the end of the McKittrick Canyon access road.
Pine Springs Visitor Center
Pine Springs Visitor Center is the park's main visitor center and headquarters. Visitors can pay entrance and camping fees, tour the museum, purchase items from the park store, pick up brochures and maps, and obtain overnight wilderness use permits here.
Following US Hwy 62/180, you will see signs along the highway pointing you to our center. The visitor center is on the north side of the highway.
Blue Ridge Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. Blue Ridge Campground is surrounded by ponderosa pine and Douglas fir; wild roses and grassy areas are nearby - a beautiful location and very remote. The distance from Pine Springs Trailhead: via the Tejas & Blue Ridge Trails is 7.8 miles, via the Tejas, Bush Mountain & Blue Ridge Trails is 8.9 miles.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Blue Ridge campsite
A hardened surface for a tent among rocks and trees
Blue Ridge campsite
Blue Ridge Campsite
A hardened surface for tent in a forest
Blue Ridge Campsite
Blue Ridge campsite
A hardened surface for a tent on a slope
Blue Ridge campsite
Blue Ridge campsite
A hardened surface for a tent in a forest
Blue Ridge campsite
Blue Ridge campsite
A hardened surface for a tent in a forest
Blue Ridge campsite
Bush Mountain Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. A favorite of many for the exceptional vistas and western sunsets. Though the campsites at Bush Mountain are semi-protected from high winds, backpackers will find hiking on the exposed trails to reach the campground difficult during periods of high wind activity. Bush Mountain Campground is 6.2 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead via the Tejas and Bush Mountain Trails. Five designated campsites are defined by tent pads.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Bush Mountain tent pad
A hardened surface for tents in grass and forest
Bush Mountain tent pad
Bush Mountain tent pad
A hardened surface for tents in a forest
Bush Mountain tent pad
Bush Mountain Tent pad
A hardened surface for tents in grass and forest
Bush Mountain tent pad
Bush Mountain tent pad
A hardened surface for tents surrounded by trees
Bush Mountain tent site
Bush Mountain campsite
A small cliff rises above a hardened surface for a tent
Bush Mountain campsite.
Dog Canyon Campground
Dog Canyon is a two-hour drive from the Pine Springs area. The Dog Canyon Campground sits at 6,300 feet in elevation and has 9 tent and 4 RV sites. There is one group site at Dog Canyon that can be reserved for a group of 10-20 individuals. Campground amenities include drinking water and flush toilets (there are NO hookups, dump stations or showers). Only cooking stoves are permitted; charcoal, wood fires, and propane firepits are not permitted.
Individual Tent Sites
20.00
Individual sites can accomodate 8 people with 2 tents. Sites include a single tent pad measuring 10' x 10' and a picnic table.
RV Sites
20.00
Each RV site will have a parking spot that can accommodate a 23 foot RV. Each site will have a picnic table in the spot.
Group Campsites
60.00
Groups must stay in designated group sites at the Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds. Group site occupancy is limited to a minimum of 10 persons and a maximum of 20 persons per site. Vehicles parked here cannot block traffic.
Horse Corral Fee
15.00
Horse corral fees are $15.00 per night. This fee is in addition to the required entrance fee and campsite fee and is needed only if the corral facility will be used.
Dog Canyon Campground
The trail in between campground sites.
The Dog Canyon Campground offers shady camping sites.
Accessible Tent Campsite
Accessible campsite and tent pad.
Dog Canyon accessible campsite
Dog Canyon Tenting Site
A typical tenting campsite at Dog Canyon
Tenting site and the Dog Canyon Campground
Dog Canyon RV Campground
Dog Canyon RV campsites
Dog Canyon RV Campground
Horse Corral Camping
Horse corrals at the campground
Dog Canyon horse corrals and campsite
Frijole Horse Corral Campground
The Frijole Horse Corral Group Campsite is the only facility for horse users on the east side of the park. The visitor horse corrals and campsites may be reserved up to six months in advance of the visit. This camping area is immediately adjacent Highway 62/180 on the Frijole Ranch access road. Due to proximity to both the highway and the access road, this site has little privacy and is subject to road noise. The Frijole Horse Corral has a capacity of 10 animals.
Group Camping Fee
60.00
Group site occupancy is limited to a minimum of 5 persons and a maximum of 10 persons per site. Vehicles parked here cannot block traffic. Fee includes use of the adjacent horse corral at this site
Frijole Ranch Horse campsite corrals
A fenced horse corral compound with desert mountains in the background
Frijole Ranch Horse campsite corrals
Frijole Ranch Horse Campsite
Tent sites with desert mountains in the background
Frijole Ranch Horse Campsite
Frijole Ranch horse campsite tent pads
Fenced campsite areas
Frijole Ranch horse campsite tent pads
Guadalupe Peak Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. This primitive campground is located on the Guadalupe Peak Trail, 3.1 miles from the Pine Springs Trailhead, and 1 mile below the Peak. The elevation gain from the trailhead to the campsites is 2,200 feet. The campground is on a small knoll and only minimally protected from high winds. Five designated campsites are defined by tent pads. These sites are exposed and high winds are common.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Guadalupe Peak tent pad
A hardened pad for a tent in a sparse mountain landscape with few trees
Tent pads on Guadalupe Peak have little to no cover ore break from wind.
Guadalupe Peak tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent overlooks a steep rocky mountain landscape
Guadalupe Peak campsites have great landscape view but little shade or cover from the elements.
Guadalupe Peak tent pad
A hardened surface for tent camping is outlined by rocks
Guadalupe Peak tent pads are in the open.
Guadalupe Peak tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent lined with wood
Some tent pads have shade.
Marcus Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. From Dog Canyon, hikers travel through grassy areas then cross Manzanita Ridge to view West Dog Canyon before descending to an elevation equivalent to the starting point. Not frequently used; pay attention to the trail and rock cairns marking the way. The campground is in pinion and juniper, shaded and protected from the wind. The distance from Dog Canyon is 3.7 miles.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Marcus campsite
A hardened surface for a tent below a few trees
Marcus campsite
Marcus campsite
A hardened surface for a tent is located between small trees
Marcus campsite
Marcus campsite
A hardened campsite below a few trees
Marcus campsite
McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. Travel through the beautiful McKittrick Canyon before beginning the very steep climb up to the ridge. From McKittrick Canyon Trailhead, the distance is 7.6 miles, with the elevation gain (significant for quite some distance) of over 2,700 feet. If you'd like to visit this beautiful ridge without quite the workout, begin instead at Dog Canyon.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
McKittrick Ridge tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent in a forested location
McKittrick Ridge tent pads are located in cover a distance from the ridge
McKittrick Ridge tent pad
A hardened surface for tents is located in dense cover
The tent pads have generally good shelter from the elements
McKittrick Ridge tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent in a forested setting
The Mckitterick Ridge camping area is a short distance from the ridge.
McKittrick Ridge tent pad
A hardened pad for a tent in full shade from trees.
McKittrick Ridge tent pads are in the trees a short distance from the ridge
McKittrick Ridge tent pad
A hardened pad for a tent in the full shade of trees
McKittrick Ridge campsites have shade and shelter from some of the elements.
McKittrick Ridge tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent under the trees
McKittrick Ridge campsites have tree cover.
McKittrick Ridge Tent Pad
A hardened surface for tents in the midge of a forest
McKittrick Ridge tent site
McKittrick Ridge Tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent in a forest
McKittrick Ridge tent site
Mescalero Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. This campground is near several trails leading in different directions, making it an excellent choice for a "base camp" while exploring the high country. (Listen for wild turkeys off in the distance.) Mescalero is situated in ponderosa pine and brush, and is on a slope overlooking a small drainage. Located on the Tejas Trail, Mescalero is 6.2 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead or 4.7 miles from Dog Canyon.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Mescalero Wilderness Campground
A metal sign directs hikers off the trail to the Mescalero campsites
A sign directs hikers off the trail to the Mescalero campsites
Mescalero campsite
A hardened surface for a tent is outlined by rocks in a forest
Mescalero campsite
Mescalero campsite
A hardened surface for tents in a forest
Mescalero campsite
Mescalero campsite
A hardened surface for a tent surrounded by pine trees
Mescalero campsite
Mescalero campsite
A hardened surface for a tent surrounded by trees
Mescalero campsite
Mescalero Campsite
A hardened surface for a tent surrounded by rocks and trees.
Mescalero campsite
Pine Springs Campground
The Pine Springs Campground has 20 tent and 13 RV sites available. All campsites are reservable through recreation.gov. Individual campsite cost is $20 per night, per site. There are 2 group sites for groups of 10-20 people. Campground amenities include drinking water and toilets (NO hookups, dump stations or showers). Only cooking stoves are permitted; charcoal, wood fires, and propane firepits are prohibited.
Individual Tent Sites
20.00
Campsites include a 10' x 10' tent pad and picnic table. Sites can typically accommodate 8 individuals with 2 tents.
All campsites in the Pine Springs Campground will be reservable through recreation.gov. The fee is $20.00 per night per site, $10.00 for Senior and Access passholders; there is no discount for Annual, Annual Military, Annual 4th grade, Volunteer or Guadalupe Mountains National Park passholders.
RV Sites
20.00
RV sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length and include a picnic table.
All campsites in the Pine Springs Campground will be reservable through recreation.gov and campsite cost will be $20 per night, per site; $10.00 for Senior and Access passholders; there is no discount for Annual, Annual Military, Annual 4th grade, Volunteer or Guadalupe Mountains National Park passholders.
Group Campsites
60.00
Groups must stay in designated group sites at the Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds. Group site occupancy is limited to a minimum of 10 persons and a maximum of 20 persons per site. Vehicles parked here cannot block traffic.
Pine Springs Tent Site
Tent site at the Pine Springs Campground
Pine Springs tenting site
Pine Springs Campground
Registration bulletin board at the Pine Springs Campground
Pine Springs Campground
Pine Springs RV Site
RV site at the Pine Springs Campground
RV campsite in Pine Springs
Pine Top Wilderness Campground
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.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Pine Top tent pad
A hardened dirt surface in a rocky mountain landscape
The tent pads allow for camp sites to limit impact on the landscape of the park.
Pine Top tent pad
A hardened dirt surface for tents with rocks beyond and a tree above
Tent pad areas are cleared of rocks to create level surfaces for camping.
Pine Top tent pad
A square hardened surface in a forested area
Camping must be confined to the provided tent pads.
Pine Top tent pad
a trail leads to a shaded square surface for a tent in a forested area
Some tent pads are more private and have shade
Pine Top tend pad
mountains can be seen in the background of a hardened surface fore a tent
Some tent pads have views of the surrounding area.
Shumard Canyon Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. If you enjoy arid Chihuahuan desert or you find yourself fascinated by the geology of the Guadalupes, consider a backpack trip to this remote location. Though it is 9.0 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead, the elevation gain is much less significant than many of the other trails—though it's by no means flat. Do make sure you are prepared for sun, wind, and weather exposure. The trail is not protected by trees along the way.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Shumard Canyon Campground sign
A metal sign marking the camping area rises above the desert landscape.
The Shumard campsites are in a high desert landscape
Shumard tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent surrounded by sharp desert vegetation.
The Shumard tent sites are in desert vegetation.
Shumard campsite
A hardened pad for a tent is located in an open desert environment.
The Shumard campsites are in the open desert with no shade or break from the wind.
Shumard Canyon tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent in the desert.
The Shumard sites are located in the desert on the west side of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Shumard Canyon tent pad
A hardened pad for a tent below high desert mountains.
The Shumard Canyon campsites provide dramatic views of the west face of the Guadalupe Mountains.
A Shumard Canyon campground sunset
A small tent is backlit by the setting sun in a wide desert landscape.
A Shumard Canyon campground sunset
Shumard campsite
A hardened surface for a tent is locate before a desert ridge
The Shumard campsites can be dangerously hot during the summer months.
Shumard tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent is below tall desert mountains
The Shumard campsites are below the western escarpment of the Guadalupe Mountains
Tejas Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. The extra distance to the Tejas Wilderness Campground is worth the time for those who wish to stay in a more densely forested surrounding. The tall trees provide deep shade in the morning and late afternoon and protection from high winds aloft. Centrally located, the Tejas Campground is 5.5 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead or 6.2 miles from Dog Canyon.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Tejas Campground sign
A metal sign directs hikers to the Tejas campground
A metal sign directs hikers to the Tejas campground
Tejas tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent in a forest
Tejas campsites feature good cover from wind and the elements.
Tejas tent pad
A hardened dirt surface for a tent in the forest
Tejas tent pad
Tejas tent pad
A hardened dirt surface for a tent in the forest
Tejas tent pad
Tejas tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent in near an old metal water tank
The Tejas sites are located near an old ranch era water tank
Tejas tent pad
A hardened dirt surface in a forest
Tejas tent pad
Tejas tent pad
A hardened dirt surface for tent in a forest
Tejas tent pad
Tejas Tent pad
A hardened dirt surface on a forest slope
Tejas tent pad
Wilderness Ridge Wilderness Campground
A Wilderness Use Permit is required for all use of these campsites. An interesting hike along the Permian Reef Trail meanders up 2,000 feet to Wilderness Ridge where the sudden transition from rock to trees is refreshing. Once on top, the trail is level through forested and open areas and takes you to the edge of the escarpment where the view is outstanding. Wilderness Ridge Campground is in the trees, and worth the extra distance to save the resource from unnecessary damage.
Permit Reservation Fee
6.00
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.
Permit Per-Person-Per-Night Recreation Fee
6.00
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.
Wilderness Ridge Campground sign
Metal sign along a trail
A metal sign marks the location of the Wilderness Ridge Campground
Wilderness Ridge tent pad
A hardened dirt surface underneath a tree
Wilderness Ridge tent pad
Wilderness Ridge tent pad
A hardened surface for a tent is located on a slope with trees behind it
One of the five tent pads at Wilderness Ridge
Wilderness Ridge tent pad site
A hardened surface for a tent with pine trees around it
The Wilderness Ridge tent pads are sheltered from the wind
Wilderness Ridge tent pad
A hardened dirt surface for a tent under a pine tree
Wilderness Ridge tent sites have shelter from wind and elements
El Capitan
El Capitan with blooming claret cup cacti
Blossoming claret cup cacti add a splash of color to the Chihuahuan desert.
Flooded Salt Flats
the slat flats become flooded during monsoon months after large rain events.
After the monsoon storms, the salt flats will often become flooded creating a seasonal lake.
Devil's Hall Fall Colors
Fall colors in Devil's Hall
Changing maple trees line the Devil's Hall trail during the fall months.
Pratt Cabin
Pratt Cabin in McKittrick Canyon
Pratt Cabin is nestled in McKittrick Canyon with abundant trees and
The Bowl wildflowers
wildflowers blossom along The Bowl trail
During the spring months, wildflowers are a common sight along The Bowl trail.
Entrance Sign
A metal and stone entrance sign stands in front of a building and desert mountains
Entrance sign at Pine Springs
It’s Alive! Biological Soil Crusts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts
It might come as a surprise to learn that in the sublime expanses of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, some of the most interesting life around can be found in the dirt right in front of your feet! Biological soil crusts form a living groundcover that is the foundation of desert plant life.
Soil crust at White Sands National Monument
Climate Change and the Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert Network is currently developing protocols to monitor several vital signs that may reflect current and future impacts of climate change. This brief offers a summary of how Chihuahuan Desert Network monitoring will detect future change.
Smith Springs is one of many springs that serve as a water source for plants & animals in the CHDN.
World War II Plane Crashes in National Parks
During WWII, more than 7,100 air crashes involved US Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft occurred on American soil. Collectively these crashes resulted in the loss of more than 15,599 lives (Mireles 2006). Many of these military aircraft accidents occurred in remote, often mountainous, areas managed by the National Park Service.
plane crash at base of grassy hill
Air Quality Monitoring in the Southern Plains and Chihuahuan Desert Networks
Both the Clean Air Act and the National Park Service Organic Act protect air resources in national parks. Park resources affected by air quality include scenery and vistas, vegetation, water, and wildlife. Over the past three decades, the National Park Service has developed several internal and cooperative programs for monitoring various measures of air quality.
Cactus and clear skies at Tonto National Monument
Air Quality in the Chihuahuan Desert
Three park units in the Chihuahuan Desert Network, Big Bend National Park (NP), Carlsbad Caverns NP, and Guadalupe Mountains NP are designated as Class I air quality areas under the Clean Air Act. Class I areas receive the highest protection under the act, and degradation of air quality must be minimal. Air quality concerns include atmospheric deposition effects and visibility impairment from fine particle haze.
Rugged landscape under a partly cloudy sky at Big Bend National Park
NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports.
rock cliff
Monitoring Upland Vegetation and Soils in the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert Networks
Vegetation and soils are two of many natural resources monitored by the National Park Service (NPS) Division of Inventory & Monitoring (I&M). Learning about vegetation dynamics helps us to better understand the integrity of ecological processes, productivity trends, and ecosystem interactions that can otherwise be difficult to monitor. In NPS units of the American Southwest, three I&M networks monitor vegetation and soils using the scientific protocol described here.
Quadrat used for biological soil crust sampling
Park Air Profiles - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Air quality profile for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Gives park-specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Guadalupe Mountains NP as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Guadalupe Mountains NP.
Fall colors in McKittrick Canyon
Efficient Response to El Capitan Fire
The lightning-ignited El Capitan fire was detected in Guadalupe Mountains National Park on May 26, 2012. The fire was located approximately one mile east of historic Williams Ranch and approximately three miles southwest of Pine Springs, Texas. Red flag conditions, terrain, and desert fuels added to the potential for rapid wildfire spread. Interagency and international cooperation was essential to controlling the fire in just three days.
fire in the desert landscape
Module Conducts Wildland-Urban Interface Projects Throughout the Intermountain Region
In 2013, the Saguaro Wildland Fire Module (WFM) managed multiple projects simultaneously in AZ, TX, and NM. WFMs are highly skilled and versatile fire crews that provide expertise in long-term planning, ignitions, holding, prescribed fire preparation and implementation support, hazardous fuels reduction, and fire effects monitoring. With their help, fire fulfills its natural or historic role to meet resource and management objectives and create fire-adapted communities.
The Archeology of Buffalo Soldiers and Apaches in the Southwest
After the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, African American military regiments were established, called the Buffalo Soldiers. On the Texas and New Mexican frontiers U.S. troops, comprised mostly of Buffalo Soldiers, encountered fierce opposition from the Lipan, Mescalero, and Warm Springs Apache, as well as the Comanche and Kiowa. Archeologists investigated the interlaced record of Apache and military activities at Pine Springs Camp, on the mountains' eastern slopes.
Archeologists mapping at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Reptile and Amphibian Inventory
Guadalupe Mountains NP includes the highest point in Texas (8,749 ft.), reliable springs, sand dunes, and forests. This inventory focused primarily on McKittrick Canyon, a very diverse riparian area, and the Salt Basin Dunes area, characterized by creosote flats, gypsum and quartz dunes.
Desert box turtle
Exotic Plants Monitoring in the Southern Plains and Chihuahuan Desert
National parks, like other publicly managed lands, are deluged by new exotic species arriving through predictable (e.g., road, trail, and riparian corridors), sudden (e.g., long distance dispersal through cargo containers and air freight), and unexpected anthropogenic pathways (e.g., weed seeds mixed in with restoration planting mixes).
Landscape with a uniform, green foreground consisting of invasive kochia
Sand Dune Mammals at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a critical location for understanding the distribution of mammals in the Chihuahuan Desert. Situated along the Texas-New Mexico border, the park includes representative habitats from desert lowlands to mountainous highlands. Situated at the base of the western escarpment of the Guadalupe Mountains in northern Hudspeth County, Texas, are a series of gypsum and quartz dunes of which the park recently acquired approximately 10,000 acres.
White gypsum dunes against a mountainous backdrop
Wildland Fire in Ponderosa Pine: Western United States
This forest community generally exists in areas with annual rainfall of 25 inches or less. Extensive pure stands of this forest type are found in the southwestern U.S., central Washington and Oregon, southern Idaho and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Recently burned ponderosa pine forest.
Ship on the Desert Cultural Landscape
The Wallace E. Pratt Residence, also known as Ship on the Desert, was designed in 1941 by the New York City architecture firm of Milliken & Bevin and construction was supervised by Newton P. Bevin and his wife, Elizabeth Hopkins Bevin, between 1941 and 1943. The Ship on the Desert is significant as an early modernist house in an astonishingly dramatic and remote high desert landscape.
Ship on the Desert (NPS)
Survey of Winter-resident Grassland Birds
In winter of 2002 and 2003, an independent researcher began conducting a two-year inventory of winter-resident birds in grasslands in two parks in the National Park Service’s Chihuahuan Desert Network. The objective of this study was to inventory selected grassland habitats in Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks for the presence, diversity, and abundance of wintering bird species.
Rufous-crowned sparrow at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Southwest River Environments
In the arid Southwest, water means life, and prehistorically, rivers were the lifelines of the people.
The Colorado River flowing through a canyon
Southern Basin and Range
The Southern Basin and Range is an extension of the Basin and Range Province centered on Nevada and the Great Basin and extending from southern Oregon to western Texas, and into northwest Mexico.
Mountains and Desert in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains Violet
The Guadalupe Mountains violet, a perennial, yellow-flowered violet, is an extremely rare endemic plant of the Guadalupe Mountains. The violet is known only from Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where it grows at high elevations on vertical limestone faces.
Guadalupe Mountains violet
Climate Monitoring in the Southern Plains, Sonoran Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert
Climate is one of many ecological indicators monitored by the National Park Service (NPS) Division of Inventory & Monitoring (I&M). Climate data help scientists to understand ecosystem processes and help to explain many of the patterns and trends observed in other natural-resource monitoring. In NPS units of the American Southwest, three I&M networks monitor climate using the scientific protocol described here.
Kayaking across a fl ooded parking lot, Chickasaw NRA, July 2007.
POINT takes on Guadalupe Peak
For most visitors, hiking to the summit of Guadalupe Peak is a very challenging day hike. Imagine attempting the same feat in a wheelchair. In July 1982 a group of six paraplegics, members of a Dallas-based organization known as POINT (Paraplegics on Independent Nature Trails), set out to climb Guadalupe Peak in wheelchairs.
Three men touch a pyramid shaped summit monument together.
Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Cenozoic Era
The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths.
fossils on display at a visitor center
Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Paleozoic Era
During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era.
fossil corals in a rock matrix
Series: Chihuahuan Desert Network Reptile and Amphibian Inventories
In 2003 and 2004, the University of Arizona conducted an inventory of reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna) in six National Park Service Chihuahuan Desert Network parks. Primary objectives of this inventory were to document reptile and amphibian species, map the distribution of all species found, and determine a rough relative abundance for each species.
Trans-Pecos ratsnake
Series: Defining the Southwest
The Southwest has a special place in the American imagination – one filled with canyon lands, cacti, roadrunners, perpetual desert heat, a glaring sun, and the unfolding of history in places like Tombstone and Santa Fe. In the American mind, the Southwest is a place without boundaries – a land with its own style and its own pace – a land that ultimately defies a single definition.
Maize agriculture is one component of a general cultural definition of the Southwest.
Series: Park Air Profiles
Clean air matters for national parks around the country.
Photo of clouds above the Grand Canyon, AZ
Series: Seasonal Inventory of Birds in Low Elevation Chihuahuan Desert Riparian Habitats
In 2004, independent researchers began conducting a three-year inventory of birds in low-elevation riparian (stream-side) habitats in the National Park Service’s Chihuahuan Desert Network. The goals of this study were to (1) document the presence, richness, and abundance of bird species; (2) compare results to existing information about park birds and update park checklists; and (3) provide baseline data and site evaluations that may be used to develop bird monitoring programs in the Network.
Bird survey site in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Permian Period—298.9 to 251.9 MYA
The massive cliffs of El Capitan in Guadalupe Mountains National Park represent a Permian-age reef along the supercontinent Pangaea. The uppermost rocks of Grand Canyon National Park are also Permian.
flat-top mountain
Paleozoic Era
During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era.
fossil corals in a rock matrix
Quaternary Period—2.58 MYA to Today
Massive ice sheets advanced and retreated across North America during much of the Quaternary, carving landscapes in many parks. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve contains geologic evidence of lower sea level during glacial periods, facilitating the prehistoric peopling of the Americas. The youngest rocks in the NPS include the lava of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the travertine at Yellowstone National Park, which can be just a few hours old.
fossil bone bed and murals of mammoths
Cenozoic Era
The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths.
fossils on display in a visitor center
Climate Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Climate is the primary driver of ecological processes on earth, affecting soil-water relationships, plant-soil interactions, plant productivity, cycling of nutrients and water in an ecosystem, and the occurrence and intensity of disturbances. The Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network monitors climate over time at Guadalupe Mountains National Park to detect changes that could have cascading effects on park ecosystems.
A dusting of snow on the Guadalupe Mountains and plants and rocks in the foreground.
Groundwater Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Groundwater is one of the most critical natural resources in the American Southwest, including at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It provides drinking water, irrigates crops, and sustains rivers, streams, and springs throughout the region. Groundwater interacts either directly or indirectly with all key ecosystem features of the arid Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion. The Chihuahuan Desert Network monitors groundwater at six wells on the park.
Two people in National Park Servie uniforms lowering a cable into a well.
Springs Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
We monitor six sentinel springs at Guadalupe Mountains National Park to detect broad-scale changes in these important resources. Springs are relatively rare but ecologically important natural resources in the American Southwest. Despite their small size, springs tend to be hot spots of biodiversity in arid lands.
A pool of water surrounded by boulders and grass.
Series: Climate and Water Resource Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Climate and water dramatically shape ecosystems, especially in arid and semi-arid places like Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Chihuahuan Desert Network monitors climate, groundwater, and springs at the park each year to detect changes that could be detrimental to park ecosystems. Climate change is an emerging stressor on springs in the American Southwest and a diverse array of plants and animals depend on these sparse water resources in the park.
A lake with sandbars and desert plants and desert mountains in the distance
Tribal Cultural Landscapes: Beyond Archeological Sites
Mescalero Apache Tribe have a lot of natural resources: a fish hatchery, timber, etc. The Apaches were mobile hunters and gatherers, covering most of New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, of three bands: Chiricahua, Lipan and Mescalero. Mobility was not allowed to occur anymore and also hunting and gathering were restricted, they were forced to farm. This affected culture in many ways, yet, the culture persists and remains strong today.
Mescalero Apache tribe members have a mescal roast, to roast harvested agave in a pit.
The Living Landscape of the Guadalupe Mountains
Our Park film was very old and the 50 year anniversary is 2022. In creating a new film, how do we make a wilderness park relevant in the 21st Century? A cultural landscape concept for the new Park film will tell the stories of the landscape at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We connect visitors to the park interpretive themes through education and awareness. Visitors connect where their interests begin.
A man stands at the highest point in Texas at sunset, mountains below.
Bringing New Voices to Cultural Landscapes
The National Parks Conservation Association uses the cultural landscapes framework to bring a wider audience and new voices to historic preservation and help protect these sites for current and future generations. A century later, we have 1.3 million members and supporters across the country, who use their voices to support Parks, speak up for those stories and iconic landscapes.
The Last Traditional National Park: Guadalupe Mountains
This article considers Guadalupe Mountains National Park and its meaning and place in the history of national parks, as well as in American culture and society.
A woman and a park ranger walk toward tall mountains in the bright sun
A 1920s Attempt at Preserving the Guadalupes
While Congress authorized Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 1966 and the National Park Service established the park in 1972, attempts to set the area aside as either a national park or monument date back to 1924, if not earlier. And yet, 50 years passed before the park was established. This article explores why the early interest came to nothing.
A mountian ridge rises above a desert landscape
Buffalo Soldiers in The Guadalupe Mountains
The Guadalupe Mountains were one of the last strongholds of the Mescalero Apache who had been fighting for nearly three centuries to preserve their lands and their way of life. In the late 1870s the US Army established a force projection camp garrisoned by African American soldiers at Pine Springs in present-day Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Costumed interpreters recreate a scene of Buffalo Soldiers camped in desert mountains
Series: The Early Movements to Establish a Park in the Guadalupe Mountains
At the beginning of the Twentieth Century, to most Americans this remote corner of the Southwest was little more than windswept desert, a dry and brittle void on the national landscape. Until the year of the great stock market crash, there was no paved road connecting El Paso with Carlsbad. During this time, the surrounding region witnessed early attempts at oil and gas exploration, struggles with development, transportation, the impact of the Great Depression, and incipient tourism.
An automobile of the 1940s parked below a prominent peak.
The Proposed Extension of Carlsbad Caverns
Concurrent with the Texas legislative efforts, the National Park Service investigated the possibility of extending the boundaries of Carlsbad Cave National Monument, which at that time encompassed only one square mile. On May 14, 1930, Congress gave the area national park status and authorized the extension of the boundaries. The proximity of these lands to the scenic splendors of the Guadalupe Mountains raised the issue of extending the Carlsbad Caverns boundaries.
Judge J.C. Hunter and Early Park Plans
Judge J. C. Hunter was a prime mover in the group boosting the idea of a park centered on McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains. In 1924 he had visited the inaccessible but spectacular canyon for the first time. Hunter was from Van Horn, Texas, a ranching community approximately halfway between Carlsbad and El Paso, and 65 miles south of the southern end of the Guadalupe range.
The 1938 Revival
For three years the Guadalupe park proposal received little attention. Then, in April 1938, Herbert Maier and a team of four resource specialists investigated the entire Guadalupe range, to its southern extremity in Texas. Maier and the survey team concluded that except for the southern extremity of the range, the mountains provided little in the way of scenic or wildlife values. They recommended against extending the boundaries of Carlsbad Caverns to include the area.
The 1940s and 1950s
In spite of the depressed state of the national economy, the 1930s had been a time of expansion and improvement for the parks; the work performed by the Civilian Conservation Corps had been particularly beneficial. The optimism of the park officials who investigated the Guadalupe extension to Carlsbad Caverns was part of that wave of expansion and improvement. The 1940s, however, brought a new Director to the Park Service and new attitudes toward the national park system.
The Early Park Movements
From 1925 to 1945 a relatively sustained effort existed to establish a park in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas. The effort, however, was highly fragmented. Little substantive exchange took place between interested citizens and park agencies. Boosters were interested in expanding tourism because their communities would experience economic benefits.
The Forces at Work
During a period of fifty years a number of social, political, and economic factors combined to bring about the establishment of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Three of those factors might be singled out as crucial. One was philosophical and the other two factors were economic.
The El Paso Boosters and the Texas Legislature
Although Texas had set up a state parks board in the mid-1920s, by 1930 it still did not have a state park system.
The National Park Service and the Grisham-Hunter Ranch
In January 1934 Toll returned to Texas and toured the proposed park land with J. C. Hunter. Hunter indicated his interest in creating a park and offered the Grisham-Hunter Corporation's 43,200 acres to the federal government for $237,600, which was the corporation's cost for acquiring the land. Toll had been advised, by sources he did not reveal, that Pratt had no interest in the park idea and preferred to see the land used for private summer homes.
Hardscrabble in the Guadalupes
The grizzled mining prospector, on a quest for that one fabulous strike that will transform him from subsistence miner to man of wealth and status, is one of the many colorful characters that walk the pages of Western history. The remote recesses of the southern Guadalupe Mountains were prospected in the 1890s, and small-scale mining for valuable minerals was attempted briefly at a few locales.
A mine entrance in a hillside features a metal gate to allow bats to come and go freely.
Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks
Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios.
Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background
The Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the largest and oldest Wilderness in the state of Texas. In 1978, 46,850 acres of the park’s high country were designated as wilderness by Congress. Designated and eligible wilderness comprise 95% of the park’s area.
A hiker stands in the Guadalupe Mountains Wildeerness
El Paso Salt Wars
Upon approaching the Guadalupe Mountains from the west, visitors traveling from the El Paso area will pass through a landscape of barren beauty. The Salt Flats are a remnant of an ancient, shallow lake that once occupied this area during the Pleistocene Epoch, approximately 1.8 million years ago. Salt collected here as streams drained mineral-laden water into this basin. The salt deposits left behind would later become a precious resource to the people of the El Paso area.
Interpretive exhibit with the salt flats in the background.
Studying the Past and Predicting the Future Using Rat Nests
In the western United States, packrat middens are one of the best tools for reconstructing recent environments and climates. These accumulations of plant fragments, small vertebrate remains, rodent droppings, and other fossils can be preserved for more than 50,000 years. Packrat middens have been found in at least 41 National Park Service units.
Photo of a wood rat.
Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 14, No. 2, Fall 2022
All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul>
Photo of a person sitting while using a laboratory microscope.
Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads
One of the most frequently asked questions at Guadalupe Mountains National Park is “Is there a scenic drive I can take to explore the park?” The answer to that question reflects the history of the National Park Service and changing perspectives on visitor access, preservation, and life in the Chihuahuan Desert.
A road extending into the distance with the Guadalupe Mountains in visible in the far distance
The 11 Essentials for Hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains
No matter what activity you choose, it is important to plan ahead. Make a fun adventure a safe adventure! Having the Ten Essentials with you can help you be prepared for minor injuries, sudden weather changes, or unexpected delays. An often overlooked eleventh essential is toiletries.
The ten essentials laid out on a table
Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils
The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian.
photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface
Natural High Points of States in Parks
We all strive to reach new heights whether taking on the physical challenge to climb to the top or armchair-exploring from the comfort of our own home through virtual experiences. Discover the highest natural points in each state that are located within the National Park System, many of which can be visited by hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and drivers who are often rewarded by breathtaking views. Find photos, virtual tours, fun facts, and more on park websites.
Snow-covered mountain elevation
Ship on the Desert: The Pratt Family in the Guadalupe Mountains
Hidden off the main road to McKittrick Canyon stands a home built in the early 1940s for retired oil geologist Wallace Pratt and his second wife, Iris Calderhead Pratt. For fifteen years the Pratts lived in this remote desert mountain home before donating the building and nearly 6,000 acres of land to the National Park Service as a catalyst to the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Ship on the Desert, mid-1940s
Frijole Ranch During the Smith Years
For thirty-six years John Thomas Smith raised ten children and carved out a life on the foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains. The historic ranch that visitors see today changed over time, but still bears the indelible mark of the Smith family's time here.
A black and white photograph of a ranch compound in a desert mountain landscape
The Pioneer Legacy of Frijole Ranch
The Frijole Ranch area has been a focal point of human use in the Guadalupe Mountains for many centuries. This is not surprising when one considers that Pine, Juniper, Smith, Manzanita, and Frijole springs are all within a two-mile radius of the Frijole Ranch site. The ranch is a legacy of westward settlement.
Members if the Smith family stand near the Frijole Ranch with a deer in the 1930s.
Frijole Ranch Orchard
The orchard at Frijole Ranch was part of the self-sustaining farmstead developed in the early 1900s. Irrigated by area springs, the fruit trees provided a source of food and shade in the West Texas desert. In 2006, a century after the Smith family settled here, the orchard was partially replanted. It continues to represent a vital aspect of ranching and homestead history and shows how the landscape functioned for the family and the community.
Three children on top of a stack of hay on the back of a wagon with horse, near orchard trees.
Making an Impact: Long-Term Monitoring of Natural Resources at Intermountain Region National Parks, 2021
Across the Intermountain Region, Inventory & Monitoring Division ecologists are helping to track the effects of climate change, provide baseline information for resource management, evaluate new technologies, and inspire the next generation of park stewards. This article highlights accomplishments achieved during fiscal year 2021.
A man looks through binoculars at sunrise.
A Changing Bimodal Climate Zone Means Changing Vegetation in Western National Parks
When the climate changes enough, the vegetation communities growing in any given place will also change. Under an expanded bimodal climate zone, some plant communities in western national parks are more likely to change than others. National Park Service ecologists and partners investigated the future conditions that may force some of this change. Having this information can help park managers decide whether to resist, direct, or accept the change.
Dark storm clouds and rainbow over mountains and saguaros.
Project Profile: Visitor Access & Ecosystem Planning in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The National Park Service will create an implementation plan for front country management at Guadalupe Mountains National Park to minimize impacts to ecological, biophysical, and cultural resources while optimizing the quality of visitor experiences at locations with high levels of visitation.
a hiker stops under a tree to admire a mountain in the distance
From Buffalo Soldier to Bath Attendant: The Story of Hugh Hayes and Hot Springs National Park
Learn about the life of Hugh Hayes, an African American man from Tennessee, and how his life as a Buffalo Soldier and bath attendant at Hot Springs National Park connected him to significant moments in American history.
African American man wearing a white shirt and tie sits in a wooden chair
Project Profile: Plug Orphaned Wells in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The National Park Service will plug a well in Guadalupe Mountains National Park originally drilled in 1947 and used to test for oil in the Delaware Basin of West Texas.
An oil rig along an arid landscape and moutainside at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service
To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.
Climate and Water Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Water Year 2022
Chihuahuan Desert Network scientists visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park every year to monitor climate, groundwater, and springs. By taking measurements of these key resources each year, we can better understand how they may be changing over time. This report summarizes the results from Water Year 2022.
Desert scrub and cacti frame the iconic El Capitan in the Guadalupe Mountains.
24 in 2024: An Explore Nature Year in Review
As we reflect on 2024, we offer you a list of 24 interesting and exciting science and nature events from parks of the national park system. From awe-inspiring celestial events to celebrating anniversaries and conservation wins, 2024 was filled with amazing moments.
purples and greens of the northern lights light up the sky over hot springs at night
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Visitor
Guide 2015
summer/fall
Find
Your
A Sky
FullAdventure
of Wonder
and a Mosaic of Biodiversity
Through
the
Seasons,
The Beauty of the Guadalupes Remains
Spring
By Michael Haynie
The interplay of light and shadow and
their changing proportions through the
seasons act as the warp and weft of the
beautifully complex landscape of the
Guadalupes. Nature, the master weaver
who stitches it all together, has saved her
most valued yarn to make sure it does not
unravel. The silver thread of water hidden
in remote canyons, running through
scattered springs, and saved for a seasonal
flourish when many would assume the
desert would be at its hottest and driest, the
summer, becomes the strength and support
of a delicate fabric that we must handle
with care. Easily torn, and time-consuming
to mend, the varied environments of
Guadalupe Mountains National Park are
part and parcel of a precious heirloom that
we bequeath to future generations.
Such variety offers delightful surprises
throughout the year as the seasons turn,
some because they contradict what we
would expect for a desert, and others
because they do not mesh with the
archetypal division of the year into four
NPS Photos/M. Haynie
On the Guadalupe Ridge Trail
Summer
Fall
Winter
seasons. Spring temperatures can be mild
or extremely variable, accompanied by high
winds. April showers are sporadic and often
are measured only in the hundreths of an
inch. Summer with increased light and heat,
splits in two…before the monsoon rains,
and after. Adding a little water this way has
a transformative effect, bringing dormant
seeds into their fullness. Fall brings
welcome respite from the heat, and one of
the greatest surprises of all…a beautiful
display the sunset’s palette of colors held
gently for a few weeks in the leaves of
maples, ash, walnut, and sumacs. Bright
orange, yellow, and scarlet deepen to amber,
gold, and crimson from mid-October to
mid-November. Winter’s shorter days range
from cool to cold, but the nights are often
freezing. Snow is rare, and high winds are
again common. While the night sky here
is always dazzling, the longer nights and
clearer air of winter make for excellent
viewing of the ancient light of stars and
galaxies. For those with telescopes, this time
of year offers excellent views of the Orion
and Crab nebulas. For those without, extra
gear is not needed to enjoy the seasonal
highlight of the Geminid meteor shower in
mid-December.
cooler. Most nights will have freezing
temperatures. Visibility is often better, so
hikes to the highcountry offer distant vistas
and viewing the night sky is often at its best.
Before you visit, be sure to check out our
safety information regarding the weather
(page 5) and bring everything you need.
With adequate preparation, Guadalupe
Mountains National Park can be enjoyably
visited all year long. Spring and fall are
the busiest seasons. Visiting during these
times allows you to avoid the more extreme
temperatures of the summer and winter
and to see some spectacular seasonal
phenomena, whether its the bursting forth
of new life in mid- to late-spring (April May), to the winding down of the year with
one last hurrah of color in the fall.
The first part of summer is the hottest,
with afternoon and evening rains (usually
short-lived thunderstorms) common in
the latter part of summer. Flowers are
more abundant, and as the monsoon rains
become more reliable, a renewed burst of
growth occurs, greening the grasses and
freshening the air. In winter, temperatures
may be mild during the day (50s or 40s),
but winds can make them feel much
The park has limited driving opportunities,
but if you are willing to explore some of
our trails, which range from accessible
nature trails, to moderate canyon hikes and
strenuous mountain hikes, you can discover
one of the most biologically diverse areas
in West Texas and experience a wilderness
landscape preserved in perpetuity.
Inside
Got a Wild Question About the Park?
Ask Lupe the Ringtail!
The Other Side of the Mountain
Hiking Information
Prepare for Changeable Weather
Wildlife & You
Wildland Caving & Sitting Bull Falls
(Lincoln National Forest)
Nearby Attractions
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
The National Park Service was
created in the Organic Act of
1916. The new agency’s mission
as managers of national parks
and monuments was clearly
stated.
“....to conserve the scenery and the natural
and historic objects and the wild life therein
and to provide for the enjoyment of the
same in such manner and by such means
as will leave them unimpaired for the
enjoyment of future generations.”
To support that mission, the
collecting of natural and historic
objects is prohibited.
Telephone and
Web Directory
Greetings
Welcome to Guadalupe Mountains
National Park. Guadalupe Mountains
National Park protects one of the
world’s best examples of a fossil reef,
diverse ecosystems, and a cultural
heritage tha
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Visitor
Guide 2015
summer/fall
Fall/Winter 2019
Find
Your
A Sky
FullAdventure
of Wonder and a Mosaic of Biodiversity
On the Guadalupe Ridge Trail
Photo by Artist in Residence Ethan Smith
Greetings
W e lc o m e t o Gua d a lu p e M o u n ta i n s
National Park. Guadalupe Mountains
National Park protects one of the world’s
best examples of a fossil reef, diverse ecosystems, and a cultural heritage that spans
thousands of years.
Our park staff are here to help make your
visit a truly memorable event and will be
happy to help you plan your visit in the
park and surrounding areas. Guadalupe
Mountains National Park has over 80 miles
of hiking trails to explore, ranging from
wheelchair accessible paths to strenuous
mountain hikes, including an 8.4 mile
roundtrip hike to Texas’ highest mountain,
Guadalupe Peak (8,751').
As you travel and spend time in the area
please remember to keep safety in mind.
Deer and other wildlife are plentiful—enjoy watching wildlife, but remember they
often move across roads, especially in the
evenings; be vigilant while driving during
twilight hours. Hikers should be prepared
for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Hikers can become dehydrated in our dry
climate, so carry plenty of water (one gallon per person per day is recommended).
Always check with a ranger before venturing into the backcountry.
We wish you a rewarding experience in
every way.
Sincerely,
Eric Brunnemann
Superintendent
By Elizabeth Jackson
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
is full of wonderful surprises. From the
disappearing streams of McKittrick
Canyon to the Sky Island coniferous
forest and meadow of the Bowl trail, no
matter where you hike in the park, there
is always something unique to experience and learn. One area of the park
that is often overlooked is the Salt Basin
Dunes. Located along the western area
of the park, they are tucked away, down
a secluded, rugged road. This is an area
where expensive cars fear to travel.
The Salt Basin Dunes glisten in the sun,
beckoning the adventurous to trek into
its white, shifting landscape. Although
these sand drifts originated in an area
once covered by water 1.8 million years
ago, they have no water current to
change the ripples now. The wind and
wildlife are tasked to paint patterns in
the sand here. Created by a fault in the
crustal rocks some 26 million years ago,
the gypsum grains cover almost 2,000
acres on the western range of the park.
This stunning, austere beauty calls the
visitor who is looking to explore more
remote areas.
The Salt Basin Dunes picnic area and
trailhead are located 50 miles from the
Pine Springs Visitor Center. Travel west
for 23 miles along Highway 62/180 and
turn right on FM 1576 just before you
reach the town of Salt Flat. Travel north
17 miles and then turn right on William’s
Road. Continue on the dirt packed road
for 8.5 miles. Use caution and travel
slowly. There is no water, so be sure to
bring what you need.
An alternate route to the dunes incorporates a visit to Dell City first. Travel
west on Highway 62/180 for 30 miles
and turn right on FM 1437. Continue for
13 miles, and look on the left side for the
familiar National Park Service arrowhead signaling the park contact station.
Enter the parking lot into the Dell City
Contact station to visit the new exhibits
and listen to a brief electronic narration
regarding park logistics and information
on the dunes site. From the contact station, visitors can continue to the dunes
by driving north through town and
turning right on FM 2249 and then right
on FM 1576. Then turn left on William
Road (about one mile from FM2249).
When visitors arrive to this day use area,
they can learn more about the dunes
and the western escarpment formation
from the recently installed interpretive
wayside exhibit that provides visitor
information on the geology of the ex-
Inside
Parks as Neighbors
Page 2
Got a Wild Question About the Park?
Page 2
Ask Lupe the Ringtail!
P.B. King: Geology Giant of the
Guadalupes
Page 3
posed range. Facilities at the trailhead
include accessible parking, RV/bus
parking, picnic tables with shade structures, as well as pit toilets. Camping is
strictly prohibited in this area.
As you begin your 1.5 mile hike to the
dunes, you enter ecologically sensitive
terrain. The area landscape leading to
the dunes is fragile and visitors are asked
to stay on the trail. A darkened cryptogamic crust can be observed on the
sandy soil alongside the trail. This crust
assists vegetation and allows it to take
hold, while providing a thinly layered
nitrogen source. This delicate layer also
helps the dunes resist the strong winds
and prevents erosion.
Once at the dunes, as you look over to
the north end, a sixty foot high dune
rises, meeting the nearby western
mountain range. Smaller dunes surround the area and soft red quartz grain
dunes can be seen north of the Patterson Hills area, giving the illus
If you have...
One hour
The Pinery Nature Trail
Manzanita Springs and/or Smith Springs Trail
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
Indian Meadow Nature Loop (at Dog Canyon)
Two - Three hours
Smith Springs Trail
McKittrick Canyon (to Pratt Cabin)
Devil’s Hall Trail
Four hours
McKittrick Canyon (to the Grotto)
Marcus Overlook (at Dog Canyon)
One Day
Guadalupe Peak Trail
The Bowl Trail
Permian Reef Trail
El Capitan Trail
Foothills/Frijole Trail
Lost Peak (at Dog Canyon)
Pine Springs Visitor Center Trailhead
The Pinery Trail
3/4 mile round trip
Easy, wheelchair-accessible
Discover the desert as you walk from the
Visitor Center to the ruins of the Pinery, a
Butterfield Trail stagecoach station. The Pinery Trail ends at the Pinery parking area on
Hwy 62/180. Modest incline on return trip.
Pine Springs Trailhead
Guadalupe Peak
8.4 miles round trip
Strenuous, 6-8 hours
The Bowl
8.5 miles round trip
Strenuous, 6-8 hours
Devil’s Hall
4.2 miles round trip
Moderate, 2.5-3 hours
On clear days, the views from the “Top of
Texas” (8,749’, 2,667m) are outstanding. the
trail is well established and does not require
rock-climbing abilities.
Avoid the peak during high winds and
thunderstorms.
Take a high country hike through a coniferous forest, and see how the area is recovering from a wildland fire that occurred in
1990. Recommended route: Tejas Trail, Bowl
Trail, Hunter Peak side trip, Bear Canyon
Trail, Frijole Trail.
After following one mile of constructed
trail, turn left and follow the route through
the wash. Extremely rocky. Continue for one
mile to the Hiker’s Staircase and Devil’s Hall.
Do not scramble up slopes or go into caves
or shelters. Rocks may be unstable due to
flooding that occurred in September, 2013.
El Capitan
11.3 mile round trip
Moderate to strenuous, 6-8 hours
Frijole & Foothills Trails
5.5 miles round trip
Moderate, 3-4 hours
This trail leads through Chihuahuan Desert
to the base of El Capitan at the southern
end of the Guadalupe Mountain range.
Recommended route: El Capitan Trail, Salt
Basin Overlook, and back.
The Frijole and Foothills trail make a loop
connecting the Pine Springs Campground
and the Frijole Ranch. Start at either end.
Frijole Ranch Trailhead
Smith Spring Trail
2.3 miles round trip
Moderate, 1-2 hours
Wheel-chair accessible to Manzanita Spring
(0.4 miles round-trip). The trail then becomes rocky and is rated moderate.
Look for birds, deer, and elk on your way to
the shady oasis of Smith Spring.
Dog Canyon Trailhead
McKittrick Canyon Trailhead
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Day Hikes
Indian Meadow Nature Trail
0.6 miles round-trip
Easy
Discover the plants and animals of a meadow in the secluded north section of the
park.
Lost Peak
6.4 miles round-trip
Strenuos, 1,500 feet of elevation gain
Climb out of Dog Canyon on the Tejas Trail
to visit the coniferous forest above. Outstanding views from Lost Peak. There is no
trail the last 1/4 mile to the peak.
Marcus Overlook
4.5 miles round-trip
Moderate, 800 feet of elevation gain
Follow the Bush Mountain Trail for 2.3 miles
to the ridge top for a view into West Dog
Canyon.
McKittrick Canyon
to Pratt Cabin
4.8 miles round-trip
Moderate, 2-3 hours
to the Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin
6.8 miles round-trip
Moderate, 4-5 hours
Follow an intermittent stream through the
desert, transition, and canyon woodlands to
the historic Pratt Cabin, Grotto Picnic Area,
and Hunter Line Cabin. A guidebook is
available at the trailhead visitor center.
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
0.9 miles round-trip
Moderate, <1 hour
Stroll through the foothills and learn about
the natural history of the Chihuahuan Desert. Trailside exhibits.
Permian Reef Trail
8.4 miles round-trip
Strenuous, 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
For serious geology buffs, this trail has stop
markers that can be used with a geology
guide book available at park visitor centers.
There are excellent views into McKittrick
Canyon from the top of this ancient Permian structure.
Salt Basin Dunes Trailhead
Salt Basin Dunes Trail
3-4 miles round-trip
Moderate, some of the largest dunes are
60’ high and involve some scrambling
Hike to a gypsum dune field with excellent
views of the western escarpment. There
is no shade, so carry plenty of water and
avoid hiking in the midday heat.
Visit Safely
Bring food and plenty of water.
Wear sunscreen and a hat.
Carry a trail map.
Pack rain gear; sudden weather changes are
common.
Protect the Park
Stay on trails; don’t cut across switchbacks or
create new trails.
Carry out all trash, including cigarette butts.
Report any trail hazards to the Visitor Center.
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Guadalupe Peak Trail
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Total Elevation Gain:
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Guadalupe Peak X 8751 feet
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February 2015
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas
McKittrick Canyon Trail Day Hikes
LINCOLN
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New Mexico
Texas
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Open 8 am to 6:00 pm (April - October)
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View from The Notch
McKittrick Ridge
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Day Hikes Near Pine Springs
Pinery Trail
Pine
Springs
Visitor
Center
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Pinery Ruins
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The Pinery Trail offers visitors
an opportunity to take a quick
walk on a paved trail. The trail
features signage identifying
common local plants. The trail
also features ruins of the Old
Butterfield Stagecoach Route
Pinery Station built in 1858.
Elevation Change: 40 feet
Tra
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Distance: 0.9 miles (Round-Trip)
!
Time Estimate: 20 minutes
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Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Paved
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The Smith Springs Loop is paved
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Spring. It then ascends along
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vegetated Smith Spring. The
trail offers dramatic views of
the surrounding mountains,
foothills, and desert landscape.
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The Devil's Hall Trail is a wellmaintained trail for one mile. It
then enters a rocky wash, which
requires the hiker to scramble
over large boulders. The trail offers
spectacular views of geologic
formations, steep canyon walls,
tall trees, and mountaintops.
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Distance: 3.8 miles (Round-Trip)
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Stock Trail Junction
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Smith Spring
À To U.S. Highway 62/180
W I L D E R
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Trail Enters Wash
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Manzanita Spring
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Devils
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January 2015
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Tejas Trail
LINCOLN
137
·
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Indian Meadows Trail
Permian Reef
Geology
Trail
Dog Canyon Ranger
Station, Campground,
and Trailhead
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El
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Trail
El Capitan
Trail
Pine Springs
Visitor Center,
Campground,
and Trailhead
Legend
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!
Campground
Tejas Trail
Eligible Wilderness
Designated Wilderness
Salt
Basin Overlook
Trail
Park Boundary
Tejas Trail Profile
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Foothills Trail
Pinery Trail
Miles
Mileage Chart
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2
3
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Mescalero Campground
6000
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Pine Springs Trailhead
Tejas Campground
6500
(0.2 miles to Pine Top CG)
7000
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5
6
Length (Miles)
7
!
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McKittrick Trail
7500
Bush Mtn./Bowl Tr. Junction
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Elevation (Feet)
Ro
8000
8
!
Dog Canyon
9
10
11
12
January 2015
Marker 28
At this highpoint of the trail, you can find evidence that
sea levels eventually rose and the reef front moved toward
the basin center. The shallow lagoon that would have normally been behind the reef returned. Because evaporation
rates were very high in the hot arid environment, the seawater had a high concentration of minerals. Mineral rich
water permeated the limestone here, and replaced some of
its calcium with magnesium, thus forming dolomite. Note
that the reef has been eroded away here, but would have
occupied a position a few hundred yards over the edge of
the escarpment.
Guadalupe Mountains
National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department
of the Interior
The Permian Reef
Trail Guide
At this point you are 2,000 feet above the desert floor. You
have encountered rocks formed on the seafloor and have
seen evidence of the organisms that lived there. You have
seen the forces of gravity and wave action working against
the reef’s upward growth, and you have found fossils of
organisms frozen in the same position they were in millions of years ago. The clues found in the rocks preserved
in Guadalupe Mountains National Park tell an unexpected
story of life and death hidden in a remote corner of the
Southwest.
Lagoonal deposits
Reef
Forereef
14
View from McKittrick Canyon Contact Station
Marker 27
The massive cliff at the top of the northeast wall of
McKittrick Canyon is a fossil reef that formed approximately 260-270 million years ago. The Capitan Reef grew
from the remains of billions of marine animals and plants
cemented together by calcium carbonate.
You can find another clue that sea levels dropped at this
stop. Sheet cracks and teepee structures (tent-like folds in
the rocks) are evident along the trail here. Teepee structures may have formed by the expansion of hardening rock
between softer layers of unconsolidated sediment. Today,
teepee structures are seen in areas around the Persian Gulf
in peritidal areas where sediments would be alternately
submerged and exposed to the air during tidal cycles.
Limy sands and muds were deposited in warm, quiet
lagoons behind the reef. These “backreef” layers form
horizontal rock beds visible to the left of the reef cliff. A
narrow shoal, perhaps consisting of a line of small islands
when sea level was low, restricted water circulation between the shallow lagoons and those above and oceanward of the reef. This allowed rapid evaporation of lagoon
waters often leading to hypersaline conditions.
Fragments of the growing reef edge often broke off and
rolled down slope into deep water, mixing with shells,
sand, and other sediments to create thick “forereef” deposits. Generations of reef creatures then grew seaward on
top of the remains of the old.
Sheet crack filled by sediments
Water at the base of the forereef deposits was over 1500
feet deep. Fine windblown sand and floating organic
debris sometimes crossed the shoal and barrier into the
deep, cold water of the Delaware Basin. The organic
debris eventually became the source of vast petroleum
deposits of the Permian Basin of West Texas.
How to Use This Guide...
The photos on the following pages were taken near the
numbered markers, but not necessarily right next to
them, so some searching may be involved.
Each stop highlights an aspect of the reef’s story or a
fossil from the reef community that will give the user a
broad understanding of the Capitan Reef.
Fossils are rare, non-renewable resources. Please do not
damage or take fossils.
Numbered markers not featured in this guide are described in a technical work, written by professional
geologists, called Guide to the Permian Reef Trail,
McKittrick Canyon, Guadadalupe Mountains National Park, West Texas. This book is available for loan at the
McKittrick Canyon Contact Station or for purchase at
the Headquarters Visitor Center (Pine Springs).
13
Marker 24
Marker 1
Stromatolites, structures formed by communities of algae,
grew only in intertidal areas and they are featured at this
stop. Stromatolites are characterized by alternating layers
of algae and minerals that formed in mounds. They are
an indication that sea levels were somewhat lower for a
period of time.
After crossing a rocky wash, you will notice beds of
rounded rocks cemented together. These rocks pre-date
the current downcutting cycle of the stream in McKittrick
Canyon. Approximately 40,000 years ago during the
Last Ice Age, floodwaters carried rocks to this location.
Geologically speaking, the Pleistocene Epoch (11,500 to
1.8 million years ago) was not that long ago. However, the
climate was very different than today: rainfall was higher
and temperatures were cooler. Rushing streams transported the rocks eroded from the high country. Constant
tumbling along the streambed rounded these rocks, and
calcium cement in the water bound them together to form
a sedimentary rock called conglomerate. Uplift of the
mountains and erosion by the stream has exposed them.
Stromatolites can b