Guadalupe Peak
A strenuous 8.5-mile round trip to the top of Texas.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas's highest peak, in a fossil reef from an ancient sea, with brilliant fall color in McKittrick Canyon.
The limestone cliffs of El Capitan rise above the desert like a ship's bow. It's the world's best-preserved Permian fossil reef. Guadalupe Peak, at 8,751 feet, makes a tough day hike, and McKittrick Canyon's maples turn red in late October.
- Best Time
- March–May and October–November
- Time Needed
- 1 day
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About 90 minutes by car east of El Paso.
What to See
0 of 2 are freeMcKittrick Canyon
Fall color in the desert, and a historic stone cabin.
Know Before You Go
- There's no gas or food in the park, and winds can be extreme.
Where to Stay
Stay in Carlsbad or Whites City, New Mexico.
Where to Eat
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Go Next
Worth a DetourCarlsbad Caverns National Park
New Mexico
A vast limestone Big Room, one of the largest in North America, reached by trail or elevator, and hundreds of thousands of bats at dusk.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Texas list.