While there are only a couple Guadalupe Mountains National Park campgrounds in the park, they are very unique and in completely different parts of the park. Both offer the serenity that you want in a National Park campground, but with different nearby activities and services.
If you have time to stay at both campgrounds and explore the different areas of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, we recommend doing so. However, if you must pick just one, we hope that this guide helps you pick the best Guadalupe Mountains National Park campground for you and your traveling companions.
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS: OVERVIEW
There two campgrounds inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park are split between the Pine Springs area (in the southern part of the park) and the Dog Canyon area (along the northern border of the park). This doesn’t include the eight backcountry campsites that are reachable only by hiking. While they are not far apart as the crow flies, it will take you about two hours of driving to get from one camping area to the other.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is well visited, but it is not nearly as popular as most of the other National Parks. Since this area of the country can get quite hot in the summer (temperatures average nearly 100 degrees in June and July), most visitors choose to avoid the heat and come in April and May or the fall to enjoy the famous foliage. Since there are no reservations at either of the campgrounds, if you plan on coming during one of the popular times of the year, make sure you arrive by mid-morning to secure a space and self-register.
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK CAMPING SUPPLIES
For quick groceries, the Dog Canyon Campground has the town of Queen, NM about 40 minutes to the north. However, if you are in need of camping supplies (or groceries if you are staying in the Pine Springs campground), your best bet is to head over to Carlsbad, NM. The town is quite large and should have everything you need.
Ahead of your trip, be sure to download our guide for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We’ve included what hikes to do, how to get to them, what to pack, useful maps and what to do in the area in our itinerary. We use these guides in all of our park travels and they have proven to be indispensable!
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK CAMPING – PINE SPRINGS AREA
Map of the Pine Springs Area in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, courtesy of the National Park Service
Pine Springs Campground:
- Location: The Pine Springs Campground is located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center. It is at the end of the road that leads to the Pine Springs Trailhead. Directions from the Pine Springs entrance to the Pine Springs Campground.
- Accessible via: Car.
- Reservations: None. Summit Lake South Campground Reservations.
- Capacity: 40 sites.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: No / No / No.
- Toilets / Showers: Flush toilets and no showers.
- Nearby: From the campground you can access the Guadalupe Peak Trail. This challenging trail climbs over 3,000 feet to the top of Guadalupe Peak, which is the highest point in all of Texas. the trail is 8.1-miles (round-trip). If you are looking for an easier option, the Devils Hall Trail is a favorite of ours. This 4.2-mile (round-trip) hike is moderately challenging and climbs just 680 feet. The trail follows a dry wash before ending in a natural staircase.
- Additional details: The Pine Springs Campground is the largest of the two campgrounds in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Most of the sites have some shrubbery to aid with privacy, and some have shade trees which can come in handy in the summer months. This campground is ideal if you like to hike, as there are quite a few of the best hikes that can be accessed right from the campground. It is also ideal if you are just passing through this part of Texas, since it is located right along U.S. Highway 180. The setting is gorgeous here, but don’t stay here if you are looking for great amenities!
Pine Springs Campground map in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, courtesy of the National Park Service
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK CAMPING – DOG CANYON AREA
Map of the Dog Canyon Area in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, courtesy of the National Park Service
Dog Canyon Campground:
- Location: The Dog Canyon Campground is located in the Dog Canyon area which is in the northernmost part of the park. It is accessible via the Queens Highway (Highway 137), approximately 68 miles from Carlsbad, NM. Directions from the Carlsbad, NM to the Dog Canyon Campground.
- Accessible via: Car.
- Reservations: None.
- Capacity: 13 sites.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: No / No / No.
- Toilets / Showers: Flush toilets and no showers.
- Nearby: Leaving the campground, there are three main options for hiking. The Lost Peak (via the Tejas Trail) is a challenging, 6.4-mile (round-trip) hike that climbs nearly 1600 feet to great views from Lost Peak. The Bush Mountain Trail leads to the Marcus Overlook on this 4.5-mile (round-trip), moderate hike. Finally, if you are looking for a good stroll to end your day, the Indian Meadow Nature Trail is a 0.6-mile loop that leads you through vegetation with information signs along the way.
- Additional details: The Dog Canyon Campground is also in a beautiful setting, but it is very remote and therefore extremely quiet. The campsites are fairly close together without privacy barriers (from trees or shrubs), but people who stay here are not generally interested in making a lot of noise! The campground is remote, so make sure you are prepared with supplies well ahead of your stay.
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK GROUP CAMPING
There is group camping available at both the Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds. We recommend getting reservations well in advance.
CAMPING OUTSIDE GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Camping near Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a popular option, as many visitors don’t plan to explore the park over multiple days. Carlsbad, NM is a great place to look for campgrounds outside of the park, and they have great amenities. Another good option is to camp inside of nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
If you want to experience rustic camping and camp for free, you can find out more information from this resource which includes free campgrounds near Guadalupe Mountains National Park. There are quite a few just east of the park that are worth checking out.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Our Guadalupe Mountains National Park itinerary is ready to be downloaded, and takes care of all your pre-trip planning needs.
- Ahead of your trip be sure to read the other blogs we have on the park, including What to See and Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We also cover one of our favorite hikes in our blog, Hiking the Devils Hall Trail. We also have our blog on the Best Hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park!
- Our most popular product are our National Park posters. We have a collection of WPA posters, including our WPA Guadalupe Mountains National Park poster.
- Above all, we’d love to work with you to make a vintage-style travel poster from one of your photos, just for you! We guarantee you’ll be happy with your poster and the process!
