Tejas

Permit required

Tejas is a designated backcountry camp. You cannot reserve it directly — you must name it on a wilderness permit, and camping here without one is not permitted.

Apply for the permit on Recreation.gov

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. There are five tent pads at the Tejas campground.

The meadow at the lower part of the campground is fragile; social trails and unecessary trampling should be avoided. Placing a tent anywhere other than a designated site is prohibited. By the nature of the location of the campground, sites lack early morning sun exposure, and generally experiences lower nighttime temperatures than campgrounds located along ridge tops. The Tejas campground is generally protected from strong winds.

Fees

Reservation Fee: A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each overnight permit reserved. Recreation Fee: A $6 per-person-per-night fee is required for each hiker on the overnight reservation. Entry into the park requires a fee or pass. Over 96% of the Recreation Fee goes directly to funding Guadalupe Mountains National Park projects that improve the visitor experience.

Rules

This reservation is NOT your permit. You MUST pick up your reserved permit in person at the Pine Springs Visitor Center by 3:30PM Mountain Time up to forty-eight hours before the start of your trip. Walk-up permits for unreserved sites in the Wilderness may be issued on-site on a first-come, first-served basis at the Pine Springs Visitor Center from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Noon, daily. Walk up permits may be obtained up to 24 hours in advance of the trip. Proof of identity will be required to obtain your permit (acceptable forms of identification include driver’s license, work ID, school ID, credit card, passport, etc.). Parking: Your permit reservation does not ensure a parking spot. Parking lots fill up early in the morning during peak visitation periods. Carpooling is encouraged. Wilderness protection requires your personal commitment. Plan your activities to allow time and energy for good Leave No Trace practices. All group members are responsible for complying with the following minimum impact restrictions. A ranger will review these restrictions when you pick up your Wilderness Use Permit. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by all park rules and regulations . Planning: Weather is highly variable even on a day-to-day basis so you must plan for all types of inclement conditions. Please check with the National Weather Service when planning your trip. The nearest places to stay prior to your arrival are in park front-country campgrounds, only available through reservation, and in Carlsbad, NM or Van Horn, TX. Consult the park website for more information on how to choose an itinerary and prepare for your trip. Water: There is no water available in the Guadalupe Mountains. All users must carry in their water; plan for one gallon per person per day. Water is available at Pine Springs, McKittrick Canyon, and Dog Canyon. Safety: You are responsible for your own safety. Search and rescue is discretionary. Rescuer safety is our first priority. Exhibit self-reliance commensurate with the riskiness of your activities. Cell phones have limited coverage. If you carry a phone or satellite device, learn its operation and limitations. Don't rely on it to summon help or notify family that you are "OK." If you have an emergency and cannot self-rescue, contact a ranger or call 911 or Texas DPS Pecos Dispatch (432) 447-3533. Provide clear, concise information about the nature and exact location of the emergency. For more information on planning your adventure in the wilderness of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visit our Wilderness Trip Planning page.