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Here’s everything you need to know about hiking Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas! From permits to directions, I cover it all in this guide!
I had come to Texas for one thing and one thing only – the hiking. I know that’s a strange thing to say. Forget the bbqs and cowboys and country music, I wanted to explore some of Texas’s best hiking trails.
When researching my trip to Texas, one place that kept popping up time and time again was Guadalupe Peak. With it’s stark rockface and domineering height, I just knew this was a mountain I had to summit.
Well, after hiking Guadalupe Peak, I can officially say it was the best thing I did in Texas. Yes I had bbq; yes I did some dancing to country music, but this was why I wanted to visit Texas and it did not disappoint. In fact, I would go as far in saying it’s one of the best day hikes I’ve ever done.
If you’re planning on climbing Guadalupe Peak yourself, then this is the blog post for you. In it I’ll explain everything you need to know about the hike. From how much the permit costs, to some top tips that’ll help you get to the top, I’ll cover it all.
Guadalupe Peak is one of those mountains that the more research you do beforehand, the more you’ll enjoy it on the day. Don’t underestimate it basically! At 8,751ft (2,667m), it is the tallest mountain in Texas, and it’s classified as a difficult climb. Don’t worry though, I’ve got your back and I’ll take you through it all.
Contents:
Pine Springs Visitor Center
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is pretty remote – but hey, this is Texas, there’s a lot of wide-open space. Just make sure you plan enough time to get to the Pine Springs Visitor Center, as it’s a bit of a drive from anywhere.
El Paso is just under a two-hour drive away. Alternatively, Van Horn to the south is an hour away. This is where we based ourselves (in the El Capitan hotel), and then drove to the national park early in the morning. We were already doing a couple of other hikes in the area like Fort Davis State Park, so being based at Van Horn worked well for us.
I would say getting to the visitor center early is key to beat the heat. It’s open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Mountain Time). What’s Mountain Time I hear you ask? Well, it turns out if you’re driving from Van Horn which is on Texas Central Time, then you lose an hour. That means, if you’re coming from somewhere with Texas Central Time, make sure you plan that into your journey! We left at 7:00am thinking we’d get to the visitor centre when it opened at 8:00am, but because of the time zone change, we actually arrived there at 7:00am. Not the end of the world, but I wish we knew that beforehand!
As for the Pine Springs Visitor Center itself. Inside, you’ll find helpful rangers, free maps, water refill stations, restrooms, and a small gift shop stocked with snacks and essentials. If you don’t have snack bars, then I’d really recommend stocking up beforehand (but more on that later).
There are also interesting exhibits about the local wildlife and geology, plus public Wi‑Fi and surprisingly decent phone signal in the area. This is the main trailhead for hikes like Guadalupe Peak and the nearby Pinery Trail, and the Pine Springs Campground is just next door if you’re staying overnight.
How much is the Guadalupe Peak Mountains Park permit?
If you’re planning on hiking Guadalupe Peak, you’ll need to pay the Guadalupe Mountains National Park entrance fee, which is $10 per person (16 and over). Under 16s go free which is good news if you’re bringing the kiddos. There were four of us hiking, so $40 in total. You have to leave the permit on display in your car.
If you’re camping overnight though at Pine Springs or Dog Canyon, you’ll need a Wilderness Use Permit. That costs $6 per person, per night, plus a $6 reservation fee per trip. You can pick up your permit at the Pine Springs Visitor Center up to 48 hours before your hike or try for a walk-up permit between 8 AM and noon. I’d recommend booking through Recreation.gov if you’re hiking in peak season so it’s all booked beforehand.
How long does the Guadalupe Peak hike take?
The classic Guadalupe Peak Trail is an 8.4-mile (13.5 km) round trip with about 3,000 ft (914 m) of elevation gain. It’s a strenuous hike that typically takes 6–8 hours to complete at a relaxed, average pace.
More experienced or faster hikers often do the round trip in around 4–5 hours. Others, especially those stopping frequently for photos or breaks, can take up to 8 hours or more.
Saying that, I saw all ages and abilities on the trail. There was one trail runner who I think did the round trip in 2h:30m – that seemed pretty epic! I also saw a dad with three young kids (the youngest being just three-years-old), so it really is for everyone!
We took 6h:45m to summit Guadalupe Peak. According to my Strava, this was 4 hours of move time, and 2h:45m static time. We stopped for photos quite a lot, and we spent about an hour on the summit for lunch. As this was the only time I’d ever climb this mountain, I wanted to enjoy it!
This trail is rated as strenuous for a reason. If you’re moderately fit and used to long walks or hikes, you’ll be fine – just take your time. If you’re new to hiking or aren’t acclimatised to altitude, be prepared for a physical challenge.
| Hiker Type | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Experienced/Fit | 4–6 hours (round trip) |
| Average Hiker | 6–8 hours |
| Casual or Leisurely | Up to 9+ hours |
Hiking Guadalupe Peak: Directions
Right, let’s get onto the hike itself! As I mentioned, Guadalupe Peak is 8,751ft (2,667m) – the tallest mountain in Texas.
Once you’re ready and you’ve got all your equipment, drive from the Pine Springs Visitor Center to Guadalupe Peak Wildness Campground. This is a very short three-minute drive, but will save about 10 minutes of hiking time. This campground is right at the foot of the trailhead. Plus, it has restrooms if you need one last pee break.
From the carpark, follow the trail to Guadalupe Peak. There are two signposts which show the trails for Devil’s Hall trail, El Capitan trail and the Bowl. Obviously Guadalupe Peak is the one we want which goes in a north-west direction. Head towards the giant rockface and you can’t go wrong.
Of the 8.4 mile distance, by far the hardest section is the first 2 miles. Even though the path is in good condition, it’s a fairly steep incline and will get those muscles straining. Even though you might have your head down focused on your feet, make sure you stop every now and then to take in the views. Because we were there early, we had a really cool cloud inversion on the horizon which was a great way to start the hike.
Once you’ve ticked off the first 2 miles, the path flattens out and it becomes much easier. In terms of directions, there’s not much I can tell you really – just keep following the path up! It’s as simple as that.
Around mile 3.5, you’ll come to a nice tree section which links up one mountain range to another. I really liked this section, partly because there’s a little bit of much-needed shade. This is where you’ll find the Guadalupe Peak campground if you are camping overnight.
The final half a mile to the summit is fairly steep, so this is quite a difficult section too. The last couple of hundred metres can involve a little scrambling if you veer off the path, but it’s not hard. This was my favourite section as it had awesome views of El Capitan to the left.
Once at the summit, not only will you see an awesome trig point saying this is the highest point in Texas, but you’ll have the most amazing views all around you. For me, this is why I wanted to come to Texas. To climb this mountain, to see these views. Honestly, they were absolutely breathtaking (nothing to do with the height!). If the Guadalupe Peak hike isn’t on your bucket list, it needs to be.
As I mentioned, we probably stayed on the summit for a good hour having lunch and taking in the views. Once we were finished on the summit, the route back down was very simple. I always thing going back down is always a lot quicker and easier than going up! Saying that, if you’re tired or you’ve got bad knees, then take it slowly. Hiking poles can be particularly useful on the way back down.
Much of the trail is over steep, rocky terrain. It goes without saying, but make sure you wear comfortable hiking boots with good traction, and that are well broken in.
There’s very little shade on the trail, especially in the middle section. Make sure you’ve got sun protection and are prepared for fully exposed hiking.
Top tips for hiking Guadalupe Peak
Take lots of water – This one goes without saying, but make sure you take lots of water with you. I’d recommend 4 litres (a gallon). It’s hot and thirsty work, so it’s better to take more than you need.
Head up early in the morning – We aimed to be on the trail by 8am to beat the heat. Well, that didn’t really work as by 9:30am it was already 30 degrees (86 Fahrenheit). It was nice having a little respite in the morning though.
Wear a hat – If you suffer from sun stroke easily or your fair skinned, then I’d recommend wearing a hat. I didn’t in my group, but the other three all had hats and they were very thankful they did! Layers and suncream help too.
Don’t litter and leave no trace! – This goes anywhere around the world, but don’t litter. Make sure you take all waste with you. If you see any litter, pick it up and take it with you. Also, please stay on marked trails and don’t feed any animals you encounter (yes, even the cute ones!). Guadalupe Mountains is a protected area, so leave no trace and respect the environment.
Keep an eye out for snakes – We came across a rattlesnake just on the edge of one of the paths. It was all good; someone noticed the snake and word of mouth got out to have a wide berth of the snake. Just keep your eyes peeled because there can be snakes on the trail.
Bring snacks or lunch – It’s a long hike, so take high-energy snacks like trail mix, granola bars, or a sandwich. There’s a flat spot just before the summit that’s perfect for a quick bite.
Check the weather – This area is prone to sudden changes in weather. High winds, thunderstorms, and temperature drops can all happen quickly at higher elevation, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Take trekking poles if you’ve got them – The trail is steep and rocky in sections, especially on the descent. Trekking poles can really help with stability and take some pressure off your knees.
Suggested packing list
- 4L of water
- Snacks/lunch
- Trekking poles
- Hat and sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight layers
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Small first aid kit
- Offline maps or downloaded trail info
As I stood at the top of Texas, looking out over the desert plains and jagged ridgelines, it hit me just how wild and beautiful this part of the world really is. Guadalupe Peak was everything I hoped for and more – tough, rewarding, and totally unforgettable.
If you have any questions about hiking Guadalupe Peak, let me know in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!
