Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Camping

Guadalupe Mountains National Park by National Parks Service

Backcountry Campgrounds

Open

Open All Year

Details

For those who wish to enjoy an arduous backpacking experience there are 10 primitive backcountry campgrounds available on a first-come, first-served basis. A permit is required, and must be obtained in person at the Headquarters Visitor Center or the Dog Canyon Ranger Station. Permit may only be obtained the day of, or the day before the planned itinerary. Use containerized fuel for cooking; fires (including charcoal) are prohibited in the park. One gallon of water per person, per day is recommended; water is available at the trailheads. There are no available water sources in park's backcountry.

Dog Canyon Campground

Open

Open All Year

Details

Dog Canyon lies in a secluded, forested canyon on the north side of the park. Due to the higher elevation it remains cooler than Pine Springs campground in the summer. There are 9 tent sites and 4 RV sites (no hookups, no dump station). Restrooms have sinks and flush toilets, but no showers. Charcoal and wood fires prohibited. 1 group site is available by reservation. Minimum group size 10, maximum 20.

Pine Springs Campground

Open

Open All Year

Details

Located 1/3 mile from the Headquarters Visitor Center, this high desert campground is ideally situated at the park's main trailhead where visitors enjoy hiking to Guadalupe Peak or The Bowl. 20 tent sites and 19 RV sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Water, restrooms, service sink, and pay telephone are available. No dump station or hook-ups for recreational vehicles. Tent sites frequently fill early in the day during peak visitation times such as summer weekends, holidays, and fall color weekends in late October. Two group sites are also available by reservations up to 60 days in advance - minimum of 10, maximum of 20 persons.

Camping Fees

Family Camping

When you arrive, select a campsite, then pay at the self-registration board near the restrooms. The fee is $8.00 per night per site, $4.00 for Golden Age and Golden Access Passport holders. There is no discount for Golden Eagle or National Park Passport holders.

Group campsites

There are two group campsites available at Pine Springs, and one at Dog Canyon for organized groups with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 people per site. The fee is $3.00 per person. The fee for Golden Age and Golden Access Passport holders is $1.50 per person. Group campsites are available by reservation up to 60 days in advance. Call (915) 828-3251, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM daily, Mountain Standard Time. Due to the small size of park campgrounds, group campsite users may not overflow into family campsites.

Campgrounds you can reserve online

Hueco Tanks Shs Campground

Mileage:68 mi

Description: Entrance fee: $4 per person, per day 13 and older. $2 per person, per day Texas residents 65 on 9/1/95 or after. TSPP good for everyone in the vehicle, up to 15 people. Money is refunde upon check-in to the park. No additional fee for day use activities. ie; hiking,picniking, rock climbing,etc. Entrance fees are in addition to Campsite fees. An excess vehicle fee will be charged for all vehicles over the limit of 2 per site.
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Slide Group Area Campground

Mileage:82 mi

Description: None
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Black Bear Group Area Campground

Mileage:86 mi

Description: None
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Lower Fir Group Area Campground

Mileage:88 mi

Description: None
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Upper Fir Group Area Campground

Mileage:88 mi

Description: None
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Balmorhea State Park Campground

Mileage:93 mi

Description: Entrance fee: $7 per day, per person 13 and older. $4 per day, per person Texas residents 65 on 9/1/95 or after. Entrance fee not required for MOTEL USERS. Entrance fees are in addition to Campsite or day use facility fees.
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Aspen Group Area Campground

Mileage:95 mi

Description: None
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Note: All mileage numbers are "as the crow flies"