Notable Campgrounds
- Best for easy access: The Pine Springs Campground is located near the visitor center.
- Best for serenity: The Dog Canyon Campground is more remote and is located in a forested landscape.
- Best for camping with horses: The Frijole Horse Corral Group Campground provides access to horse corrals and may be booked up to 6 months in advance.
- Best for free camping: The Bureau of Land Management offers some primitive campgrounds and dispersed camping options nearby.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Campsites are reservable through the Recreation.gov website.
- Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance.
- Flush toilets and potable water are available at both main campgrounds, but no hookups are offered at individual sites.
- Both main campgrounds can accommodate RVs, while also offering walk-in campsites for tents only.
- Wilderness camping is also available in 10 primitive campgrounds, offering tent camping only. Campers must obtain a permit.
- Park campgrounds can fill to capacity during fall and spring.
When to Go
Warm weather can be expected much of the year. Summer can bring extreme heat, with highs in the 90s. The summer monsoon season brings afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall are cooler, with chilly nights. Though winter has pleasant daytime temperatures, the area can be extremely windy from November through March. Occasional snows and freezing temperatures are a possibility. The weather can vary greatly by elevation, so it’s important to dress in layers and to plan accordingly when camping.
Know Before You Go
- Campfires and propane fire pits are not allowed, only cookstoves.
- There are no dump stations for the NPS campgrounds.
- Cell signals are limited in many areas of the park.
- In order to preserve a natural environment, no roadways were constructed through the park’s peaks.
- Carlsbad Cavern National Park is a short drive away, making it easy to visit both parks on a single trip.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Camp within view of Texas’s tallest peaks in the Guadalupe Mountains.
In far western Texas, the state’s highest point, Guadalupe Peak, rises 8,751 feet above the vast Chihuahuan Desert. This promontory and surrounding mountains give Guadalupe Mountains National Park its name and form the backdrop for adventures in the park. Go hiking, biking, and horseback riding in immersive canyons and on high-country trails. The National Park Service offers three campgrounds, each with dry camping and limited amenities. Outside the park, dispersed camping and primitive campgrounds are found in the Lincoln National Forest and on BLM lands. RVers may find private parks with full hookups near
In far western Texas, the state’s highest point, Guadalupe Peak, rises 8,751 feet above the vast Chihuahuan Desert. This promontory and surrounding mountains give Guadalupe Mountains National Park its name and form the backdrop for adventures in the park. Go hiking, biking, and horseback riding in immersive canyons and on high-country trails. The National Park Service offers three campgrounds, each with dry camping and limited amenities. Outside the park, dispersed camping and primitive campgrounds are found in the Lincoln National Forest and on BLM lands. RVers may find private parks with full hookups near Whites City and Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Activities in the park
4 campgrounds in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Camping with all your closest friends, and then some? There’s room to stretch out at the two group campsites at Pine Springs. Group sites are reserved for between 10 and 20 people, so make sure your headcount hits that sweet spot. Read more...
In the dog days of summer, you’ll be pleased to know that Dog Canyon Campground is actually quite a bit cooler than other park campgrounds, thanks to a higher elevation and a sweet spot beneath sheltering steep cliff walls. There’s nine tent sites and four RV sites to choose from here. Restrooms are nearby, but you won’t find any showers here -- y Read more...
Ready for some desert dwelling? Claim a spot at Pine Springs Campground, a simple sandy area dotted with juniper and oaks, nestled up next to the mountains. Choose from 20 tent camping sites; each site comes with a picnic table, and most boast at least partial shade courtesy of the oaks. Nineteen RV sites are also available. Drinking water is prov Read more...
Singles and small families shouldn’t have all the fun -- if you’re visiting Guadalupe National Park in a pack, consider reserving the group campsite at Dog Canyon. As long as there’s only 10 to 20 of you -- no more, no less (sorry, we don’t make the rules, we just tell you about them!). Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Warm weather can be expected much of the year. Summer can bring extreme heat, with highs in the 90s. The summer monsoon season brings afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall are cooler, with chilly nights. Though winter has pleasant daytime temperatures, the area can be extremely windy from November through March. Occasional snows and freezing temperatures are a possibility. The weather can vary greatly by elevation, so it’s important to dress in layers and to plan accordingly when camping.
Know Before You Go
Frequently asked questions
Can you camp in Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
Yes, you can camp in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park offers two developed campgrounds: Pine Springs Campground and Dog Canyon Campground. Both campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and they offer tent and RV camping options. Additionally, the park has backcountry camping available for those who prefer a more primitive and remote experience. To camp in the backcountry, you will need a backcountry use permit, which you can obtain at the Pine Springs Visitor Center or Dog Canyon Ranger Station.
Can you boondock in Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
Boondocking, or dispersed camping, is not allowed within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park has two developed campgrounds, Pine Springs and Dog Canyon, where you can camp. These campgrounds have designated sites, and camping is only allowed in these areas. If you're looking for boondocking opportunities, you'll need to explore nearby public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the U.S. Forest Service outside the park boundaries.
Do you need a camping reservation for Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
At Guadalupe Mountains National Park, reservations are not required for the two main campgrounds: Pine Springs and Dog Canyon. These campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. However, it is recommended to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, as campsites can fill up quickly. For backcountry camping, you will need a backcountry use permit, which can be obtained at the Pine Springs Visitor Center or Dog Canyon Ranger Station on the day you plan to camp. These permits are also issued on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted for backcountry camping.
How do I get a campsite reservation at Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
Securing a Guadalupe Mountains National Park campsite reservation is usually a challenge due to the park's popularity. Camping trips typically need to be planned months in advance and even then, available campsites can book up within minutes. The good news is that you have other options for last-minute Guadalupe Mountains National Park campsite reservations. Try snagging one by setting up a free Hipcamp alert for any Guadalupe Mountains campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
When should I reserve camping in Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
Most Guadalupe Mountains National Park campsite reservations open up months in advance. However, it's notoriously difficult to secure a Guadalupe Mountains National Park reservation even if you plan ahead, as campsites are often booked up within minutes. To increase your chances of snagging a campsite, set up a free Hipcamp alert for any Guadalupe Mountains campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
Public campgrounds (book externally) —