Pine Springs Campground

Anyone who’s been to Guadalupe Mountains National Park can tell you that the stunning hiking trails are this park’s raison d’etre. Whether you carry a fanny pack or an 80-liter backpack, the Guadalupe Mountains are where you come for scenic, always changing, never ending hiking trails. 80 miles of trails will take you through desert landscapes, up to the “top of Texas,” and deep into canyons. The sheer variety of sights and landscapes make Guadalupe Mountains National Park a true paradise for any hiker. Challenging routes like the Guadalupe Peak Trail take you up 3,000 feet past exposed cliffs for some great views, while easier hikes like the Pinery Trail will teach you a thing or two about the unique vegetation of the Chihuahuan desert. There are plenty of options when it comes to trails, so check out this guide.

About 60 percent of the trails at Guadalupe Mountains National Park are open to horseback riding. Considering how many trails this place has to offer, that’s a lot of options. There are no horses for hire, so you’ll have to bring your own horse. The park offers corrals at two locations, and nearby campsites and RV hookups make bringing your horse along a fairly simple affair. Reservations must be made ahead of time.

No matter what paths you wander down at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you’re guaranteed some great wildlife spotting along the way. A variety of birds fill the trees and desert vegetation, and mule deer and elk are also known to make appearances. Although not exactly wildlife, marine fossil reef from the Permain era draws geologists from all over the world to the Guadalupe Mountains, and it’s worth exploring. Texas may seem dry today, but 250 million years ago, it was all under water, and the proof is right under your feet at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.