Lonesome Ridge WSA is located in southern New Mexico, about 40 miles southwest
of Carlsbad on the eastern side of the Guadalupe Escarpment. The area features
stark landscape transitions from Chihuahuan Desert shrubs at the lower
elevations to sheer limestone cliffs. The steep, rugged mountains with
dramatic rock outcrops are highly scenic. The WSA is contiguous with the
Guadalupe Escarpment WSA (managed by the U.S. Forest Service) and Guadalupe
Mountains Wilderness (managed by the National Park Service) in Texas.

<p>Lonesome Ridge WSA is located in southern New Mexico, about 40 miles southwest of Carlsbad on the eastern side of the Guadalupe Escarpment. The area features stark landscape transitions from Chihuahuan Desert shrubs at the lower elevations to sheer limestone cliffs. The steep, rugged mountains with dramatic rock outcrops are highly scenic. The WSA is contiguous with the Guadalupe Escarpment WSA (managed by the U.S. Forest Service) and Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness (managed by the National Park Service) in Texas.</p>

Contact the field office for more information.

Bird's eye view of the park

Lonesome Ridge Wilderness Study Area

The Devil's Den Canyon WSA is located in southern New Mexico, approximately 40
miles southwest of Carlsbad and is contiguous with the Guadalupe Escarpment
WSA (managed by the U.S. Forest Service). Devil's Den Canyon contains the
mouth of a major drainage on the west side of Guadalupe Escarpment and has a
variety of vegetation including desert shrubs and grasses, piсon and juniper
woodlands, and sub-riparian trees and shrubs in the canyon bottom.

<p>The Devil's Den Canyon WSA is located in southern New Mexico, approximately 40 miles southwest of Carlsbad and is contiguous with the Guadalupe Escarpment WSA (managed by the U.S. Forest Service). Devil's Den Canyon contains the mouth of a major drainage on the west side of Guadalupe Escarpment and has a variety of vegetation including desert shrubs and grasses, piсon and juniper woodlands, and sub-riparian trees and shrubs in the canyon bottom.</p>

Devil's Den Canyon Wilderness Study Area

The McKittrick Canyon WSA is located in southern New Mexico, approximately 40
miles southwest of Carlsbad. It is contiguous with the Guadalupe Escarpment
WSA (managed by the U.S. Forest Service). McKittrick Canyon contains
Chihuahuan Desert grassland and scrub, including creosote bush and mesquite,
as well as piсon-juniper woodlands and deciduous riparian. This WSA consists
almost entirely of steep side slopes.

<p>The McKittrick Canyon WSA is located in southern New Mexico, approximately 40 miles southwest of Carlsbad. It is contiguous with the Guadalupe Escarpment WSA (managed by the U.S. Forest Service). McKittrick Canyon contains Chihuahuan Desert grassland and scrub, including creosote bush and mesquite, as well as piсon-juniper woodlands and deciduous riparian. This WSA consists almost entirely of steep side slopes.</p>

McKittrick Canyon Wilderness Study Area

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.

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.

## Overview

  * **Dog Canyon is a 70-mile (113 km) drive from the nearest town of Carlsbad, New Mexico and is 110 miles (177 km) from the Pine Spring Visitor Center & Campground (a 2 hour drive time).**
  * Before booking a reservation: It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite. Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival. Refunds are not provided by the park.
  * Dog Canyon Campground lies in the secluded, forested canyon on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park at an elevation of 6,300 feet (1920 m). It is located at the end of NM Hwy. 137 (Queen Highway).
  * This quiet location is great for relaxing, wildlife watching and hiking. 
  * The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November.

## Recreation

  * Trails from Dog Canyon offer good access, with relatively easy grades, to the high country of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 
  * The hike to Lost Peak is 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round-trip, is considered strenuos and has 1500’ (457 m) elevation gain. 
  * The hike to Marcus Overlook is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round-trip, is considered moderate with an 800' (244 km) elevation gain. 
  * The Indian Meadow Nature Trail near the campground is 0.6 miles (1 km) and winds around a grassy area surrounded by a mix of broadleaved evergreens, deciduous trees and pines.

## Facilities

  * The campground features 13 sites total with 9 tent, 4 RV sites and 1 group site available by reservation. 

  * Campsite occupancy is limited to 6 persons or 2 tents, per site. The group site allows 10 -20 persons. 

  * **No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park. Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted.**

  * Tent sites are hike-in only (61 to 178 feet/19 to 54 m from parking) and cannot accommodate RV parking. Each site offers a tent pad and picnic table. 

  * RV sites are gravel with picnic tables. 

  * No shower facilities, hookups or dump stations. 

  * Dog Canyon is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park. 

  * **The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited**. _This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilderness food storage are not subject to this limitation._

## Natural Features

  * The Dog Canyon Campground is in an area with wooded drainages, meadows, and grassy hillsides and sparsely vegetated outcrops. Large alligator junipers, oaks, maples, madrones, piñon and ponderosa pine are in and near the campground. Shrubs include ceanothus, sumacs, mahonia, and mountain mahogany. Desert-adapted plants include a variety of prickly pear cactus, agave, and chollas. Western scrub jays, acorn woodpeckers, and a variety of hummingbirds frequent the area. Mule deer are commonly seen.
  * Algerita ridge casts morning shade, and cool mountain air settles in the canyon bottom nightly. Daytime highs are similar to the Pine Springs area, but nighttime lows can be much cooler. Views of the night sky are pristine.
  * During the Permian Period, shallow marine water that was behind the Capitan Reef, created a series of layers of limestone and sandstone. Faulting and subsequent erosion created the canyon. Nearby topographic features include Lost Peak, Blue Ridge, West Dog Canyon, and the Brokeoff and Cutoff Mountains.

## Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (915) 828-3251 for general
information.

## Nearby Attractions

**Carlsbad Caverns National Park:** In addition to a variety of cave tours,
the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake
Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions
for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs.

**Lincoln National Forest:** The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National
Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road
access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to
NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The
forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking
opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the
Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the
area, closer to Dog Canyon.

**Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park:** Fort Davis is one of the
best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the
Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect
emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the
San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5
hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a
scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several
programs available.

**White Sands National Park:** Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is
one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New
Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of
desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National
Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants
and animals that live here.

**Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site:** Hueco Tanks State Park is located
on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At
Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history,
picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view
rock imagery.

## Charges & Cancellations

  * Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.
  * If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov.
  * Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dog Canyon is a 70-mile (113 km) drive from the nearest town of Carlsbad, New Mexico and is 110 miles (177 km) from the Pine Spring Visitor Center & Campground (a 2 hour drive time).</strong></li>
<li>Before booking a reservation: It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite.  Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival.  Refunds are not provided by the park.</li>
<li>Dog Canyon Campground lies in the secluded, forested canyon on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park at an elevation of 6,300 feet (1920 m). It is located at the end of NM Hwy. 137 (Queen Highway).</li>
<li>This quiet location is great for relaxing, wildlife watching and hiking.  </li>
<li>The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<ul>
<li>Trails from Dog Canyon offer good access, with relatively easy grades, to the high country of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. </li>
<li>The hike to Lost Peak is 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round-trip, is considered strenuos and has 1500’ (457 m) elevation gain. </li>
<li>The hike to Marcus Overlook is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round-trip, is considered moderate with an 800' (244 km) elevation gain. </li>
<li>The Indian Meadow Nature Trail near the campground is 0.6 miles (1 km) and winds around a grassy area surrounded by a mix of broadleaved evergreens, deciduous trees and pines.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<ul><li><p>The campground features 13 sites total with 9 tent, 4 RV sites and 1 group site available by reservation.  </p></li><li><p>Campsite occupancy is limited to 6 persons or 2 tents, per site. The group site allows 10 -20 persons. </p></li><li><p><strong>No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park. Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted.</strong></p></li><li><p>Tent sites are hike-in only (61 to 178 feet/19 to 54 m from parking) and cannot accommodate RV parking. Each site offers a tent pad and picnic table.  </p></li><li><p>RV sites are gravel with picnic tables.  </p></li><li><p>No shower facilities, hookups or dump stations. </p></li><li><p>Dog Canyon is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park.  </p></li><li><p><strong>The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited</strong>. <em>This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilderness food storage are not subject to this limitation.</em></p><p> </p></li></ul><h2>Natural Features</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Dog Canyon Campground is in an area with wooded drainages, meadows, and grassy hillsides and sparsely vegetated outcrops. Large alligator junipers, oaks, maples, madrones, piñon and ponderosa pine are in and near the campground. Shrubs include ceanothus, sumacs, mahonia, and mountain mahogany. Desert-adapted plants include a variety of prickly pear cactus, agave, and chollas. Western scrub jays, acorn woodpeckers, and a variety of hummingbirds frequent the area. Mule deer are commonly seen.</li>
<li>Algerita ridge casts morning shade, and cool mountain air settles in the canyon bottom nightly. Daytime highs are similar to the Pine Springs area, but nighttime lows can be much cooler. Views of the night sky are pristine.</li>
<li>During the Permian Period, shallow marine water that was behind the Capitan Reef, created a series of layers of limestone and sandstone. Faulting and subsequent erosion created the canyon. Nearby topographic features include Lost Peak, Blue Ridge, West Dog Canyon, and the Brokeoff and Cutoff Mountains.</li>
</ul>


<h2>Contact Info</h2>
This location has limited staffing. Please call (915) 828-3251 for general information.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p><strong>Carlsbad Caverns National Park:</strong> In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs.</p>
<p><strong>Lincoln National Forest:</strong> The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon.</p>
<p><strong>Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park:</strong> Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5 hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several programs available.</p>
<p><strong>White Sands National Park:</strong> Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.</p>
<p><strong>Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site:</strong> Hueco Tanks State Park is located on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view rock imagery.</p>
<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
<ul>
<li>Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.</li>
<li>If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov.</li>
<li>Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.</li>
</ul>

Guadalupe Mountains National Park group campsite fees are $60.00 per night.
Group site occupancy requires a minimum of 10 persons and is limited to a
maximum of 20 persons per site.

Groups larger than 20 persons are required to obtain a Special Use Permit 3
weeks prior to your visit. To begin the SUP process, click here

Overview of Dog Canyon campground, loop road and mountain views.

Overview of Dog Canyon campground and loop road with view of mountains in the background.

Dog Canyon Group Campsite with views of Algerita ridge in the background.

Dog Canyon Group Campsite with two tent pads delineated with landscape timbers and filled with fine crushed gravel. Three picnic tables are located in an open grassy area for groups to gather.

Dog Canyon ranger station and surrounding mountains

Dog Canyon ranger station with mountain views

The gravel road in the Dog Canyon area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Gravel road accessing Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the Dog Canyon area. Green grass, trees and mountains surround the road.

A field of summer wildflowers with Algerita Ridge in the background.

A field of summer wildflowers with a backdrop of the Algerita Ridge and a bright blue skies dotted with white clouds.

Dog Canyon tent campsite with mountain views

Dog Canyon tent campsite with mountain views, a tent pad with a two-person tent displayed and picnic table.

This Horned Lizard was seen along the trail near Dog Canyon.

A Horned Lizard along the Tajas trail near Dog Canyon.

Mountain views from the Tejas trail looking back toward the Dog Canyon area.

Accessible Tent Campsite

Overview of the four Dog Canyon RV sites.  Trailhead parking is just across from the campsites.

Dog Canyon RV campsite area. Four RV sites available and are located next to the trailhead and horse corals.

Dog Canyon RV campsite, mountains in the background and a picnic table for campers

Gravel road leading to the Dog Canyon RV campsites

Dog Canyon Campground

## Overview

  * **This site is designed for stock use. If your party does not need access to a horse campsite, please consider selecting a campsite at the Pine Springs Campground located one mile west of Frijole Horse Corral Campground.**
  * Frijole Horse Corral Campground is located one mile east of Pine Springs Visitor Center, just off U.S. 62/180 and at an elevation of 5,400 feet.
  * This campground has a large gravel parking area that is used as trailhead parking to access the Foothills and Frijole trails. It provides additional parking for horse trailers. 
  * The Frijole Horse Corral campground is located 1 mile from the Pine Springs area and Visitor Center. It is 100 miles or a 2 hour drive from the Dog Canyon horse corrals by road.
  * The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November.
  * **High winds with over 50 mph gusts are common** , especially during winter and spring
  * The Frijole Horse Corral Campsite is approximately 100 yards from the very busy U.S. 62/180 highway, expect traffic noise, including large trucks, 24 hours a day.

## Recreation

Stock users may access trails in the Pine Springs area **after obtaining a
free stock use permit at the Pine Springs Visitor Center (8:00 a.m. to 3:30
p.m.)** the day of their trip or up to 24 hours in advance. Trails that allow
stock use are indicated on the park map and on maps for sale at the park
bookstore.

Riders must start their trip from the Frijole corral using the Foothills trail
or Frijole trail.

**The use of horses or pack animals is allowed on the following trails, routes
or areas:**

**Trails designated for stock use are as follows:**

  * El Capitan Trail, Salt Basin Overlook Trail, Foothills Trail, Frijole Trail, Tejas Trail, Bush Mountain Trail from Tejas Junction at Pine Top to hitching racks at Bush Mountain, Bush Mountain Trail from Dog Canyon to Marcus Junction and the Marcus Trail, Blue Ridge Trail from Marcus Junction to Tejas Trail, McKittrick Canyon Trail from Tejas Trail to McKittrick Ridge Campground hitching racks

**Roads designated for stock use are as follows:**

  * Dog Canyon Road & designated old roads in the west side escarpment area. Note that not all the old roads within the park are open for stock use. 
  * These roads are open to stock use to allow access to designated trails and because there are no alternative trails or routes.

**Hikers will find many opportunities as well:**

  * The nearby Pine Springs Trailhead includes access to many different types of hikes. Hikes to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl are strenuous, 8-9 miles, and have 2500-3000 feet of elevation gain. Another strenuous hike is the Devil’s Hall Trail (4.2 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, ½ of the trail in a rocky, uneven wash which includes route-finding and boldering skills). For a more moderate hike consider the the Frijole/Foothills Trail. The El Capitan Trail is a strenuous trail that offers excellent open views of the surrounding desert and close approaches to the cliff face of El Capitan. Because of its distance, lack of shade, some primitive route travel, and numerous elevation changes, this trail is best saved for cooler times of year and for people with experience in route-finding. 
  * The ruins of a Butterfield stage station, called the Pinery are next to the highway, and a short, paved nature trail connects the visitor center and the historic site. 
  * The Frijole Ranch & History Museum is .25 miles away. The grounds are always open, but the museum is staffed intermittently.
  * Six miles to the east on Hwy 62/180 is McKittrick Canyon. This area offers three trails, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail (0.9 miles loop), McKittrick Canyon Trail (4.8 miles round-trip to Pratt Cabin or 6.8 miles round-trip to the Grotto) and the Permian Reef Trail (8.4 miles round-trip, for serious geology buffs).

## Facilities

  * **No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park. Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted.**

  * This site has the following amenities to accommodate for stock users: (4 corrals, hitching posts, extra trailer parking (not level), water troughs, stock watering tanks). Please be aware that recreating near horse campgrounds can provide a different experience to non-stock users. Please be courteous and select non-horse sites at Pine Springs Campground.

  * This area may be shared with other stock users for day use purpose. Reserving the campsite does not guarantee you will have the area to yourself.

  * Frijole Horse Corral Campsite has a large gravel parking area that is used for trailhead parking to access the Foothills and Frijole trails. It provides additional parking for horse trailers. The area is not level.

  * Campsite occupancy allows 1 – 12 persons.

  * The site has two tent pads (one is raised for accessibility) and two RV parking spaces (one site is paved for accessibility).

  * This site offers a picnic table and drinking fountain. 

  * The Park does not have shower facilities, hookups or a dump station. **Remember to fill your holding tanks prior to arrival.**

  * The Park is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park. The visitor center bookstore carries limited camping and hiking supplies.

  * Cell phone service may be available in the Frijole Ranch and Pine Springs area , depending on your service provider. Free Wi-Fi may be available in front of the Pine Springs Visitor Center.

  * Overnight backcountry permits are required for wilderness camping. Permits may be obtained in person at the Pine Springs Visitor Center (open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) 24 hours before the start of your trip.

  * **The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited.** _This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilderness food storage are not subject to this limitation._

## Natural Features

  * The Frijole Corral Campground is in an area with small, scattered trees, shrubs, and grasses. Trees include gray oaks and redberry junipers. Higher elevations include Douglas fir and hop-hornbeam. Shrubs include whitethorn acacia, Mexican orange, Apache plume, sumacs, and algerita. Desert-adapted plants also occur in this area, and include prickly pear cactus, New Mexico agave, sotols, and soaptree yuccas.
  * Hunter Peak, El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak are visible from the campground. Riding up either side of Pine Springs canyon offers excellent views of the surrounding desert.
  * Birds commonly seen and/or heard around the campground can include Canyon towhees, turkey vultures, white-winged doves, common ravens, chipping sparrows, Say’s phoebes, common poorwills, and Woodhouse’s scrub jays depending on the season.
  * Night sky visibility is excellent and nearly pristine. Nearby high ridges and peaks are situated to north.

## Nearby Attractions

  * **Carlsbad Caverns National Park:** In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs.
  * **Lincoln National Forest:** The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon.
  * **Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park:** Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5 hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several programs available.
  * **White Sands National Park:** Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.
  * **Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site:** Hueco Tanks State Park is located on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view rock imagery.

## Charges & Cancellations

  * Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.
  * If you need to cancel or modify your reservation you must do so through **Recreation.gov**.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>This site is designed for stock use. If your party does not need access to a horse campsite, please consider selecting a campsite at the Pine Springs Campground located one mile west of Frijole Horse Corral Campground.</strong></li>
<li>Frijole Horse Corral Campground is located one mile east of Pine Springs Visitor Center, just off U.S. 62/180 and at an elevation of 5,400 feet.</li>
<li>This campground has a large gravel parking area that is used as trailhead parking to access the Foothills and Frijole trails.  It provides additional parking for horse trailers.  </li>
<li>The Frijole Horse Corral campground is located 1 mile from the Pine Springs area and Visitor Center.  It is 100 miles or a 2 hour drive from  the Dog Canyon horse corrals by road.</li>
<li>The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November.</li>
<li><strong>High winds with over 50 mph gusts are common</strong>, especially during winter and spring</li>
<li>The Frijole Horse Corral Campsite is approximately 100 yards from the very busy U.S. 62/180 highway, expect traffic noise, including large trucks, 24 hours a day.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Stock users may access trails in the Pine Springs area <strong>after obtaining a free stock use permit at the Pine Springs Visitor Center (8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)</strong> the day of their trip or up to 24 hours in advance. Trails that allow stock use are indicated on the park map and on maps for sale at the park bookstore. </p>
<p>Riders must start their trip from the Frijole corral using the Foothills trail or Frijole trail.</p>
<p><strong>The use of horses or pack animals is allowed on the following trails, routes or areas:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Trails designated for stock use are as follows:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>El Capitan Trail, Salt Basin Overlook Trail, Foothills Trail, Frijole Trail, Tejas Trail, Bush Mountain Trail from Tejas Junction at Pine Top to hitching racks at Bush Mountain, Bush Mountain Trail from Dog Canyon to Marcus Junction and the Marcus Trail, Blue Ridge Trail from Marcus Junction to Tejas Trail, McKittrick Canyon Trail from Tejas Trail to McKittrick Ridge Campground hitching racks</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Roads designated for stock use are as follows:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Dog Canyon Road & designated old roads in the west side escarpment area. Note that not all the old roads within the park are open for stock use. </li>
<li>These roads are open to stock use to allow access to designated trails and because there are no alternative trails or routes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hikers will find many opportunities as well:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The nearby Pine Springs Trailhead includes access to many different types of hikes. Hikes to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl are strenuous, 8-9 miles, and have 2500-3000 feet of elevation gain. Another strenuous hike is the Devil’s Hall Trail (4.2 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, ½ of the trail in a rocky, uneven wash which includes route-finding and boldering skills). For a more moderate hike consider the the Frijole/Foothills Trail. The El Capitan Trail is a strenuous trail that offers excellent open views of the surrounding desert and close approaches to the cliff face of El Capitan. Because of its distance, lack of shade, some primitive route travel, and numerous elevation changes, this trail is best saved for cooler times of year and for people with experience in route-finding. </li>
<li>The ruins of a Butterfield stage station, called the Pinery are next to the highway, and a short, paved nature trail connects the visitor center and the historic site. </li>
<li>The Frijole Ranch & History Museum is .25 miles away. The grounds are always open, but the museum is staffed intermittently.</li>
<li>Six miles to the east on Hwy 62/180 is McKittrick Canyon. This area offers three trails, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail (0.9 miles loop), McKittrick Canyon Trail (4.8 miles round-trip to Pratt Cabin or 6.8 miles round-trip to the Grotto) and the Permian Reef Trail (8.4 miles round-trip, for serious geology buffs).</li>
</ul>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<ul><li><p><strong>No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park. Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted. </strong></p></li><li><p>This site has the following amenities to accommodate for stock users: (4 corrals, hitching posts, extra trailer parking (not level), water troughs, stock watering tanks). Please be aware that recreating near horse campgrounds can provide a different experience to non-stock users. Please be courteous and select non-horse sites at Pine Springs Campground.</p></li><li><p>This area may be shared with other stock users for day use purpose. Reserving the campsite does not guarantee you will have the area to yourself.</p></li><li><p>Frijole Horse Corral Campsite has a large gravel parking area that is used for trailhead parking to access the Foothills and Frijole trails. It provides additional parking for horse trailers. The area is not level.</p></li><li><p>Campsite occupancy allows 1 – 12 persons.</p></li><li><p>The site has two tent pads (one is raised for accessibility) and two RV parking spaces (one site is paved for accessibility).</p></li><li><p>This site offers a picnic table and drinking fountain. </p></li><li><p>The Park does not have shower facilities, hookups or a dump station. <strong>Remember to fill your holding tanks prior to arrival.</strong></p></li><li><p>The Park is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park. The visitor center bookstore carries limited camping and hiking supplies.</p></li><li><p>Cell phone service may be available in the Frijole Ranch and Pine Springs area , depending on your service provider. Free Wi-Fi may be available in front of the Pine Springs Visitor Center.</p></li><li><p>Overnight backcountry permits are required for wilderness camping. Permits may be obtained in person at the Pine Springs Visitor Center (open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) 24 hours before the start of your trip.</p></li><li><p><strong>The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited.</strong> <em>This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilderness food storage are not subject to this limitation.</em></p><p> </p></li></ul><h2>Natural Features</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Frijole Corral Campground is in an area with small, scattered trees, shrubs, and grasses. Trees include gray oaks and redberry junipers. Higher elevations include Douglas fir and hop-hornbeam. Shrubs include whitethorn acacia, Mexican orange, Apache plume, sumacs, and algerita. Desert-adapted plants also occur in this area, and include prickly pear cactus, New Mexico agave, sotols, and soaptree yuccas.</li>
<li>Hunter Peak, El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak are visible from the campground. Riding up either side of Pine Springs canyon offers excellent views of the surrounding desert.</li>
<li>Birds commonly seen and/or heard around the campground can include Canyon towhees, turkey vultures, white-winged doves, common ravens, chipping sparrows, Say’s phoebes, common poorwills, and Woodhouse’s scrub jays depending on the season.</li>
<li>Night sky visibility is excellent and nearly pristine. Nearby high ridges and peaks are situated to north.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Carlsbad Caverns National Park:</strong> In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs.</li>
<li><strong>Lincoln National Forest:</strong> The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon.</li>
<li><strong>Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park:</strong> Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5 hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several programs available.</li>
<li><strong>White Sands National Park: </strong>Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.</li>
<li><strong>Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site:</strong> Hueco Tanks State Park is located on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view rock imagery.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
<ul>
<li>Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.</li>
<li>If you need to cancel or modify your reservation you must do so through <strong>Recreation.gov</strong>.</li>
</ul>

Guadalupe Mountains National Park group campsite fees are $20.00 per night.
Frijole Horse Corral Campsite allows a minimum of 1 person and is limited to a
maximum of 12 persons in the site. An additional fee of $15 per night is
required to be paid if using the corrals.

Entry sign to the Frijole Ranch area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Entry sign to the Frijole Ranch area with view of the mountains in the background and the Frijole Horse Corral campground.

Foothills trail leading away form the Frijole Horse Corral Campground.

Foothills trail leading away form the Frijole Horse Corral Campground.  El Capitan mountain is visible in the background.

Trailhead parking located next to the Frijole Horse Corral Campsite.  In the background you can see traffic passing along U.S. Hwy 62/180.  Highway noise should be considered prior to reserving this campsite.

View of trailhead parking located next to the Frijole Horse Corral Campsite.  This area is available for larger horse trailers too.

Gravel road leading into the Frijole Ranch area.  Views of the Guadalupe Mountains in the background.

Frijole Horse Corral Campsite with RV parking spaces in the foreground, tent pads, picnic table and restroom are shown.

Gravel road leading to the Frijole Ranch area.  Guadalupe Mountains are visible in the background.

Frijole Horse Corral Campground

The campground is located on the Guadalupe Peak trail, 3.1 miles from the Pine
Springs trailhead, and 1 mile below the Peak. The campground is on a small
knoll and only minimally protected from high winds. Makeshift windbreaks and
rocks left behind on tent pads are a reminder to others to prepare for wind.
Five campsites are available; a backcountry permit is required for use.

The campground is located on the Guadalupe Peak trail, 3.1 miles from the Pine Springs trailhead, and 1 mile below the Peak. The campground is on a small knoll and only minimally protected from high winds. Makeshift windbreaks and rocks left behind on tent pads are a reminder to others to prepare for wind. Five campsites are available; a backcountry permit is required for use.

Bird's eye view of the campground

Guadalupe Peak

## Overview

  * **The Pine Springs RV campground is not a traditional campground. Be aware, this is a paved parking lot. The area shares a popular and busy trailhead accessing four major trails. The area is frequently congested with day use hikers searching for available parking and with foot traffic from overflow parking areas.**
  * Before booking a reservation: It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite. Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival. Refunds are not provided by the park.
  * Pine Springs Campground is located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center, just off U.S. 62/180 and at an elevation of 5,730 feet. 
  * The location offers great hiker access to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park trail system. 
  * The campground is situated at the opening to the Pine Springs Canyon with spectacular views of the world’s best example of a fossil reef and of the vast Permian Basin to the east. 
  * The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November.
  * High winds with over 50 mph gusts are common, especially during winter and spring. 

## Recreation

  * The Pine Springs Trailhead includes access to many different types of hikes. Hikes to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl are strenuous, 8-9 miles, and have 2500-3000 feet of elevation gain. Another strenuous hike is the Devil’s Hall Trail (4.2 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, ½ of the trail in a rocky, uneven wash which includes route-finding and boldering skills). For a more moderate hike consider the the Frijole/Foothills Trail. The El Capitan Trail offers excellent open views of the surrounding desert and close approaches to the cliff face of El Capitan. Because of its distance, lack of shade, some primitive route travel, and numerous elevation changes, this trail is best saved for cooler times of year and for people with experience in route-finding. 
  * The ruins of a Butterfield stage station, called the Pinery are next to the highway, and a short, paved nature trail connects the visitor center and the historic site. 
  * The Frijole Ranch & History Museum is 1.5 miles away. The grounds are always open, but the museum is staffed intermittently.
  * Seven miles to the east on Hwy 62/180 is McKittrick Canyon. This area offers three trails, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail (0.9 miles loop), McKittrick Canyon Trail (4.8 miles round-trip to Pratt Cabin or 6.8 miles round-trip to the Grotto) and the Permian Reef Trail (8.4 miles round-trip, for serious geology buffs).

## Facilities

  * The campground features 35 sites total with 20 tent, 13 RV and 2 group sites available by reservation.

  * Campsite occupancy is limited to 6 persons or 2 tents, per site. Group sites allow 10-20 persons per site. 

  * **No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park.** Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted. 

  * Tent sites are hike-in only (38’ – 277’ from parking) and cannot accommodate RV parking due to the narrow access road. Each site offers a tent pad and picnic table. 

  * RV sites are paved but very basic, offering picnic tables at most sites. 

  * No shower facilities, hookups or dump stations. 

  * The park is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park. The visitor center bookstore carries limited camping and hiking supplies. 

  * **The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited**. _This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilderness food storage are not subject to this limitation._

## Natural Features

  * The Pine Springs Campground is in an area with small, scattered trees, shrubs, and grasses. Trees include gray oaks and alligator junipers, which cast partial shade at some sites. Texas madrones, bigtooth maples, chinquapin oaks, and ponderosa pines become more common along the canyon floor. Higher elevations include Douglas fir and hop-hornbeam. Shrubs include whitethorn acacia, Mexican orange, Apache plume, sumacs, and algerita. Desert-adapted plants also occur in this area, and include prickly pear cactus, New Mexico agave, sotols, and soaptree yuccas.
  * Hunter Peak and cross-sectional views of the Capitan reef are visible from the campground. Roadside pullouts (one mile and four miles away) provide excellent views of El Capitan. Hiking into Pine Springs canyon or along the foothills reveals Guadalupe Peak. The Guadalupe Peak trail ascends to the highest point in Texas and offers excellent views of the surrounding desert.
  * Birds commonly seen and/or heard around the campground can include Canyon towhees, turkey vultures, white-winged doves, common ravens, chipping sparrows, Say’s phoebes, common poorwills, and phainopeplas depending on the season.
  * Night sky visibility is excellent and nearly pristine directly overhead, to the south, and the southwest. Nearby high ridges and peaks are situated to the west and north.

## Nearby Attractions

**Carlsbad Caverns National Park:** In addition to a variety of cave tours,
the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake
Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions
for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs.

**Lincoln National Forest:** The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National
Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road
access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to
NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The
forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking
opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the
Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the
area, closer to Dog Canyon.

**Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park:** Fort Davis is one of the
best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the
Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect
emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the
San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5
hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a
scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several
programs available.

**White Sands National Park:** Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is
one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New
Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of
desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National
Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants
and animals that live here.

**Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site: **Hueco Tanks State Park is located
on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At
Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history,
picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view
rock imagery.

## Charges & Cancellations

  * Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.
  * If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov.
  * Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>The Pine Springs RV campground is not a traditional campground.  Be aware, this is a paved parking lot. The area shares a popular and busy trailhead accessing four major trails.  The area is frequently congested with day use hikers searching for available parking and with foot traffic from overflow parking areas.</strong></li>
<li>Before booking a reservation:  It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite.  Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival.  Refunds are not provided by the park.</li>
<li>Pine Springs Campground is located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center, just off U.S. 62/180 and at an elevation of 5,730 feet.  </li>
<li>The location offers great hiker access to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park trail system.  </li>
<li>The campground is situated at the opening to the Pine Springs Canyon with spectacular views of the world’s best example of a fossil reef and of the vast Permian Basin to the east.  </li>
<li>The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November.</li>
<li>High winds with over 50 mph gusts are common, especially during winter and spring. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Pine Springs Trailhead includes access to many different types of hikes. Hikes to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl are strenuous, 8-9 miles, and have 2500-3000 feet of elevation gain. Another strenuous hike is the Devil’s Hall Trail (4.2 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, ½ of the trail in a rocky, uneven wash which includes route-finding and boldering skills).  For a more moderate hike consider the the Frijole/Foothills Trail. The El Capitan Trail offers excellent open views of the surrounding desert and close approaches to the cliff face of El Capitan. Because of its distance, lack of shade, some primitive route travel, and numerous elevation changes, this trail is best saved for cooler times of year and for people with experience in route-finding. </li>
<li>The ruins of a Butterfield stage station, called the Pinery are next to the highway, and a short, paved nature trail connects the visitor center and the historic site. </li>
<li>The Frijole Ranch & History Museum is 1.5 miles away. The grounds are always open, but the museum is staffed intermittently.</li>
<li>Seven miles to the east on Hwy 62/180 is McKittrick Canyon.  This area offers three trails, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail (0.9 miles loop), McKittrick Canyon Trail (4.8 miles round-trip to Pratt Cabin or 6.8 miles round-trip to the Grotto) and the Permian Reef Trail (8.4 miles round-trip, for serious geology buffs).</li>
</ul>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<ul><li><p>The campground features 35 sites total with 20 tent, 13 RV and 2 group sites available by reservation.</p></li><li><p>Campsite occupancy is limited to 6 persons or 2 tents, per site. Group sites allow 10-20 persons per site.  </p></li><li><p><strong>No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park.</strong> Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted. </p></li><li><p>Tent sites are hike-in only (38’ – 277’ from parking) and cannot accommodate RV parking due to the narrow access road. Each site offers a tent pad and picnic table.  </p></li><li><p>RV sites are paved but very basic, offering picnic tables at most sites.  </p></li><li><p>No shower facilities, hookups or dump stations.  </p></li><li><p>The park is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park. The visitor center bookstore carries limited camping and hiking supplies.  </p></li><li><p><strong>The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited</strong>. <em>This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilderness food storage are not subject to this limitation.</em></p><p> </p></li></ul><h2>Natural Features</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Pine Springs Campground is in an area with small, scattered trees, shrubs, and grasses. Trees include gray oaks and alligator junipers, which cast partial shade at some sites. Texas madrones, bigtooth maples, chinquapin oaks, and ponderosa pines become more common along the canyon floor. Higher elevations include Douglas fir and hop-hornbeam. Shrubs include whitethorn acacia, Mexican orange, Apache plume, sumacs, and algerita. Desert-adapted plants also occur in this area, and include prickly pear cactus, New Mexico agave, sotols, and soaptree yuccas.</li>
<li>Hunter Peak and cross-sectional views of the Capitan reef are visible from the campground. Roadside pullouts (one mile and four miles away) provide excellent views of El Capitan.  Hiking into Pine Springs canyon or along the foothills reveals Guadalupe Peak. The Guadalupe Peak trail ascends to the highest point in Texas and offers excellent views of the surrounding desert.</li>
<li>Birds commonly seen and/or heard around the campground can include Canyon towhees, turkey vultures, white-winged doves, common ravens, chipping sparrows, Say’s phoebes, common poorwills, and phainopeplas depending on the season.</li>
<li>Night sky visibility is excellent and nearly pristine directly overhead, to the south, and the southwest. Nearby high ridges and peaks are situated to the west and north.</li>
</ul>


<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p><strong>Carlsbad Caverns National Park:</strong>  In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs.</p>
<p><strong>Lincoln National Forest:</strong>  The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park.  Road access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities.  Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon.</p>
<p><strong>Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park:</strong>  Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5 hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several programs available.</p>
<p><strong>White Sands National Park:</strong>  Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.</p>
<p><strong>Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site:  </strong>Hueco Tanks State Park is located on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view rock imagery.</p>



<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
<ul>
<li>Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.</li>
<li>If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov.</li>
<li>Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.</li>
</ul>

Guadalupe Mountains National Park group campsite fees are $60.00 per night.
Group site occupancy requires a minimum of 10 persons and is limited to a
maximum of 20 persons per site.

Groups larger than 20 persons are required to obtain a Special Use Permit 3
weeks prior to your visit. To begin the SUP process, click here.

Pine Springs Campground sits in the opening to Pine Springs Canyon

Pine Springs Campground sits in the opening to Pine Springs Canyon.

View of Guadalupe Mountain range from campsite number one with prickly pear, sotol, and oak trees along the trail winding its way toward  the parking area.

View of Guadalupe Mountain range from campsite number one with prickly pear, sotol, and oak trees along the trail winding it way toward the parking area.

A vault style restroom located in the tent camping loop.

Vault type restroom located in the tent camping loop.  There are 2 parking spaces one is accessible.  This restroom is located between the group campsites.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Visitor Center Located in the Pine Springs area and surrounded by desert vegetation.

Javelina taking a stroll along a gravel road.

Javelina enjoying a walk along a gravel path.

Pine Springs Entrance Sign & Visitor Center at Guadalupe Mountains National Park,

Guadalupe Mountains National Park entrance sign underneath sunkissed Hunter Peak with visitor center in midground.

Summer rains create a field of flowers with El Capitan and the Guadalupe Mountains in the background.

RV campsite in Pine Springs campground. Hunter Peak with rain clouds as a backdrop.

Pine Springs RV Site with view of Hunter Peak in background.  This site has a paved parking spot with picnic table.  Photo shows a full size truck with a roof top tent setup.

Main restroom at Pine Springs Campground.  This restroom has running water and a filtered, water bottle filling station available.

Main restroom located near the RV campsites. There is a dish washing station to the left side of the building and a water bottle filling station inside front door.

Pine Springs campsite with views of Hunter Peak in the background.

Pine Springs campground tent site.  The tent pad and picnic table are is delineated by larger rocks and fencing.  The surface is covered with find gravel. A view of Hunter Peak is in the background.

Satellite view of the Pine Spring RV Campground and trailhead parking area.  During the busy season this area becomes very congested.

View of the RV Campground and Pine Spring Trailhead parking via satellite.  The area is a large paved parking lot with sites delineated for "RV Only".

A view from Pine Springs Campground with the Chihuahuan Desert vegetation and the rugged Guadalupe Mountains to enjoy.

Mule Deer regular visitor in the Pine Springs area.

Male mule deer among Chihuahuan Desert scrub.

View of Pine Springs Campground as seen from the Guadalupe Peak trail with views of the Permian Basin in the distance.

View of Pine Springs Campground as seen from the Guadalupe Peak trail.  Campground and trailhead parking area surrounded by desert vegetation.

Pine Springs Campground

A backcountry 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.

A backcountry 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.

A metal sign directs hikers to the Tejas campground

Tejas Campground sign

Tejas campsites feature good cover from wind and the elements.

Tejas tent pad

The Tejas sites are located near an old ranch era water tank

Tejas Tent pad

Tejas Wilderness Campground

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.

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.

Blossoming claret cup cacti add a splash of color to the Chihuahuan desert.

El Capitan

Entrance sign at Pine Springs

Entrance Sign

Pratt Cabin is nestled in McKittrick Canyon with abundant trees and

Pratt Cabin

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Panorama

During the spring months, wildflowers are a common sight along The Bowl trail.

The Bowl wildflowers

Changing maple trees line the Devil's Hall trail during the fall months.

Devil's Hall Fall Colors

After the monsoon storms, the salt flats will often become flooded creating a seasonal lake.

Flooded Salt Flats

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert
wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath
the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved
limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.

High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.

A grand view of the Big Room, fully decorated with stalagmites and stalactites.

Scenic Big Room

A spectacular view from Longfellow's Bathtub, a long cave pool, inside the Big Room.

Longfellow's Bathtub

Giant and Twin domes in the Big Room.

Hall of Giants

Big Room

Mule deer find food in a drainage.

Mule Deer

Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern

Chandelier and Caveman formations.

Chandelier and Caveman Formations

Yucca blooming

Yucca Blooming

Amid the arid rocky environment, a hedgehog cactus blooms in the spring.

Life Among Rocks

A scenic view of the Big Room, highlighting "the Chandelier" formation clinging to the 250 foot high ceiling.

The Big Room inside the cavern.

Ranger Chris Bramblett kneeling with two new Jr. Rangers, after the children were awarded their badges.

New Jr. Rangers

Beautiful view looking back out the Natural Entrance as you descend into the cave.

The Natural Entrance

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Part of the Big Room tour, the "Rock of Ages" is a spectacular formation.

Rock of Ages

Every summer evening visitors gather in the outdoor amphitheater to watch hundreds of thousands of bats leave on their nightly food forage.

A ranger presents a Bat Flight Program to hundreds of visitors.

The 1,200-acre Black River Recreation Area is managed to provide low-impact
recreation and environmental education opportunities while maintaining a
healthy river system and riparian habitat. This river corridor acts as a
transition zone between the limestone foothills of the Guadalupe Escarpment
and the southern gypsum soils to the east. Several spring-fed pools within the
area comprise the headwaters of the Black River. The area includes a series of
deep, elongated pools interconnected by a shallow, narrow stream.  
  
The Black River, an oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert, is home to rare species of
plants, fish and reptiles in and around the river. During migration seasons,
the area teems with birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Bird
populations in this small area fluctuate daily and seasonally. Visitors may
observe green-backed herons, orchard orioles, yellow-billed cuckoos, and
roadrunners. Lush desert vegetation and clear pools of water provide excellent
opportunities for viewing wildlife.  
  
The recreation area's most frequently visited site is the Cottonwood Day Use
Area, which includes a wildlife viewing platform, picnic tables, and a toilet.
The parking area is approximately 500 feet from the water's edge.  
  
Facilities include a restroom and picnic tables. Drinking water is not
available.

<p>The 1,200-acre Black River Recreation Area is managed to provide low-impact recreation and environmental education opportunities while maintaining a healthy river system and riparian habitat. This river corridor acts as a transition zone between the limestone foothills of the Guadalupe Escarpment and the southern gypsum soils to the east. Several spring-fed pools within the area comprise the headwaters of the Black River. The area includes a series of deep, elongated pools interconnected by a shallow, narrow stream.<br><br>The Black River, an oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert, is home to rare species of plants, fish and reptiles in and around the river. During migration seasons, the area teems with birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Bird populations in this small area fluctuate daily and seasonally. Visitors may observe green-backed herons, orchard orioles, yellow-billed cuckoos, and roadrunners. Lush desert vegetation and clear pools of water provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.<br><br>The recreation area's most frequently visited site is the Cottonwood Day Use Area, which includes a wildlife viewing platform, picnic tables, and a toilet. The parking area is approximately 500 feet from the water's edge.<br><br>Facilities include a restroom and picnic tables. Drinking water is not available.</p>

Black River with a Yucca plant in the foreground and Cottonwood trees in the background.

Black River Recreation Area

The Brokeoff Mountains WSA is located in southern New Mexico, contiguous with
the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness in Texas. The WSA consists of a low
dominant north-south ridge cut by two canyons that run 500 feet deep. Elk
winter in the WSA and cliffs, ledges, and rock outcrops provide suitable
nesting and perching habitat for birds of prey. Vegetation includes Chihuahuan
Desert scrub, cacti, agaves, soaptree yuccas, creosote bush, mesquite,
semidesert grassland, and pines at higher elevations.

<p>The Brokeoff Mountains WSA is located in southern New Mexico, contiguous with the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness in Texas. The WSA consists of a low dominant north-south ridge cut by two canyons that run 500 feet deep. Elk winter in the WSA and cliffs, ledges, and rock outcrops provide suitable nesting and perching habitat for birds of prey. Vegetation includes Chihuahuan Desert scrub, cacti, agaves, soaptree yuccas, creosote bush, mesquite, semidesert grassland, and pines at higher elevations.</p>

Lonesome Ridge Wilderness Study Area

Directions

Stay Limit

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Nearby Parks

Devil's Den Canyon Wilderness Study Area

McKittrick Canyon Wilderness Study Area

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Black River Recreation Area

Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area