Things To Do Around @TheGuadCampground

John
Things To Do Around @TheGuadCampground

Trails in Guadalupe Mountains NP

There are so many trails and different things to see within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. There are options for all levels of hiking experience. Some of what you can see within Guadalupe Mountains NP: - The highest peak in Texas - Thousands of acres of gypsum sand dunes - Incredible fall colors in McKittrick Canyon - Mountains made out of ocean reef from hundreds of millions of years ago - Our own majestic El Capitan - Almost 100 miles of hiking trails The Guad is the closest private place to spend the night to the national park, sitting about 25 minutes or so from the entrance.
Guadalupe Peak is the crown jewel of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. It is a must do for anyone visiting the park. Views are incredible the whole way up. It is a tough hike though so make sure you've got plenty of food and water for the journey. The first mile or two of the hike is the steepest and hardest, but it does flatten out as you get higher, so don't get discouraged.
Guadalupe Peak
Guadalupe Peak is the crown jewel of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. It is a must do for anyone visiting the park. Views are incredible the whole way up. It is a tough hike though so make sure you've got plenty of food and water for the journey. The first mile or two of the hike is the steepest and hardest, but it does flatten out as you get higher, so don't get discouraged.
Mckittrick Canyon trail is a flatter alternative that follows a dry creek bed and canyon deep into the Guadalupe Mountains. The deeper you go, the more the vegetation changes as springs in the canyon create a desert oasis. You can find some of the best fall colors in Texas if you're here in the right time of the year. This is a really fun, pretty and relaxing hike. There are some neat things to see along the hike, including an old cabin from one of the early settlers.
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McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center
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Mckittrick Canyon trail is a flatter alternative that follows a dry creek bed and canyon deep into the Guadalupe Mountains. The deeper you go, the more the vegetation changes as springs in the canyon create a desert oasis. You can find some of the best fall colors in Texas if you're here in the right time of the year. This is a really fun, pretty and relaxing hike. There are some neat things to see along the hike, including an old cabin from one of the early settlers.
Devil’s Hall is another great hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The route to Devil's Hall departs from the Pine Springs Trailhead and is 3.8 miles round-trip. The rock formations on this trail are unlike any other I've come across. After the first mile the trail leads to a rocky wash which leads hikers to an impressive natural rock staircase leading to a "hallway" formed by steep canyon walls. The wash portion of the route requires the hiker to scramble over large boulders and other debris. This route offers spectacular views of geologic formations, steep canyon walls, tall trees, and mountaintops.
Devil's Hall Trail
Devil's Hall Trail
Devil’s Hall is another great hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The route to Devil's Hall departs from the Pine Springs Trailhead and is 3.8 miles round-trip. The rock formations on this trail are unlike any other I've come across. After the first mile the trail leads to a rocky wash which leads hikers to an impressive natural rock staircase leading to a "hallway" formed by steep canyon walls. The wash portion of the route requires the hiker to scramble over large boulders and other debris. This route offers spectacular views of geologic formations, steep canyon walls, tall trees, and mountaintops.
There is a huge natural Salt Flat located between The Guad and the Guadalupe Mountains. A portion of it is part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and has a fun, flat trail back into the dunes. Once you get in there, you can actually climb and play around within the dunes. It is similar to White Sands NP once you get in there, just not quite as expansive, but still very cool. You will drive a handful of miles on a maintained dirt road to get there, with a couple spots that get a little bumpy. I've been back there before in my brother-in-laws Toyota Camry, so if you take it slow you'll be fine in any vehicle. The only time you'd probably need to skip it would be right after a rain, but that's pretty rare in the desert. You will go through the town of Dell City to get to the trailhead. Type "Salt Basin Dunes" into G00gle Maps and you'll see this access point just east of Dell City. There is also a sign on Main Street in Dell City pointing you towards it.
Salt Basin Dunes
There is a huge natural Salt Flat located between The Guad and the Guadalupe Mountains. A portion of it is part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and has a fun, flat trail back into the dunes. Once you get in there, you can actually climb and play around within the dunes. It is similar to White Sands NP once you get in there, just not quite as expansive, but still very cool. You will drive a handful of miles on a maintained dirt road to get there, with a couple spots that get a little bumpy. I've been back there before in my brother-in-laws Toyota Camry, so if you take it slow you'll be fine in any vehicle. The only time you'd probably need to skip it would be right after a rain, but that's pretty rare in the desert. You will go through the town of Dell City to get to the trailhead. Type "Salt Basin Dunes" into G00gle Maps and you'll see this access point just east of Dell City. There is also a sign on Main Street in Dell City pointing you towards it.
The Smith Spring Loop is a fairly easy 2.3 mile round trip hike. It is paved from Frijole Ranch to Manzanita Spring. It then ascends along a maintained trail to the heavily vegetated Smith Spring. The trail offers dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, foothills, and desert landscape. The spring is a shady oasis of water up against the mountains.
Smith Spring Trail
Smith Spring Trail
The Smith Spring Loop is a fairly easy 2.3 mile round trip hike. It is paved from Frijole Ranch to Manzanita Spring. It then ascends along a maintained trail to the heavily vegetated Smith Spring. The trail offers dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, foothills, and desert landscape. The spring is a shady oasis of water up against the mountains.
The Frijole Ranch ruins and museum is a neat little stop in Guadalupe Mountains NP if you like history. It includes the house and grounds that an old family built long before it was a national park.
Frijole Ranch Cultural Museum
400 Pine Cyn
The Frijole Ranch ruins and museum is a neat little stop in Guadalupe Mountains NP if you like history. It includes the house and grounds that an old family built long before it was a national park.

Photo Ops just outside Guadalupe Mountains NP

These are a couple quick stops you will pass on your way into Guadalupe Mountains NP from The Guad. You can get some great photos right there on the side of the highway.
If you can't make it into the Salt Basin Dunes portion of the national park, you will still get a chance to see it. The Salt Flats are a huge, bare expanse of gypsum salt. You will drive right by a portion of it going between The Guad and Guadalupe Mountains NP on Highway 180/62. There is a spot you can pull off the road and walk out onto the salt flats. There is also another pull-off spot with a historical marker giving some interesting info about the history of the salt flats. You can get some cool photos here with the Guadalupe Mountains in the background, and you will pass it regardless.
Salt Flats
If you can't make it into the Salt Basin Dunes portion of the national park, you will still get a chance to see it. The Salt Flats are a huge, bare expanse of gypsum salt. You will drive right by a portion of it going between The Guad and Guadalupe Mountains NP on Highway 180/62. There is a spot you can pull off the road and walk out onto the salt flats. There is also another pull-off spot with a historical marker giving some interesting info about the history of the salt flats. You can get some cool photos here with the Guadalupe Mountains in the background, and you will pass it regardless.
This is a little scenic overlook on the west side of Highway 180/62 just a mile or two before the interest to Guadalupe Mountains NP. Just keep an eye out for the sign, and you'll see some tables and trash cans on the side of the road. It's a great view of El Capitan from this spot. And if you hop over the little wall and walk down a faint trail a couple hundred feet then you will come to my favorite boulder to take pictures from.
El Capitan Lookout
U.S. 180
This is a little scenic overlook on the west side of Highway 180/62 just a mile or two before the interest to Guadalupe Mountains NP. Just keep an eye out for the sign, and you'll see some tables and trash cans on the side of the road. It's a great view of El Capitan from this spot. And if you hop over the little wall and walk down a faint trail a couple hundred feet then you will come to my favorite boulder to take pictures from.

Food in Dell City (10 Minutes north of The Guad)

Dell City is a tiny farm town 10 minutes north of The Guad. It's really the only community of any sort within about 70 miles. There are a few restaurants and places with some grocery items available here. You should plan to stock up on food and water before you leave civilization though. Depending on the direction you're coming from either El Paso, Carlsbad or Van Horn will be your last stop. But I definitely encourage you to go into Dell City and stop into one of the local restaurants - they're all tasty! And the town itself has a distinct charm...a feeling that doesn't exist many places anymore.
Two T's has hot food and some grocery items. They make a great burger and fries meal, and also offer burritos and a few other hot meal items. They also have some grocery items like beer, ice, sodas, candy, etc. They're open seven days a week until at least 8 PM. However, they stop cooking around 6 PM or so. If you're going to be cutting it close, give them a call ahead at (915) 964-2319. They're located just west of Main Street in Dell City. You will see their sign on your left and it's just a block off of Main. Hours: Sunday: 6AM–9PM Monday: 6AM–9PM Tuesday: 6AM–9PM Wednesday: 6AM–9PM Thursday: 6AM–9PM Friday: 6AM–10PM Saturday: 6AM–10PM
Two T's
201 W 1st St
Two T's has hot food and some grocery items. They make a great burger and fries meal, and also offer burritos and a few other hot meal items. They also have some grocery items like beer, ice, sodas, candy, etc. They're open seven days a week until at least 8 PM. However, they stop cooking around 6 PM or so. If you're going to be cutting it close, give them a call ahead at (915) 964-2319. They're located just west of Main Street in Dell City. You will see their sign on your left and it's just a block off of Main. Hours: Sunday: 6AM–9PM Monday: 6AM–9PM Tuesday: 6AM–9PM Wednesday: 6AM–9PM Thursday: 6AM–9PM Friday: 6AM–10PM Saturday: 6AM–10PM
Spanish Angels is a tasty little cafe that offers breakfast and lunch during the week. It’s got a good vibe inside. They offer Mexican food, burritos, burgers, etc. and standard cafe breakfast items. They are located on Main Street in Dell City. Hours: Sunday: Closed Monday: 7AM–2PM Tuesday: 7AM–2PM Wednesday: 7AM–2PM Thursday: 7AM–2PM, 6–8PM Friday: 7AM–2PM, 6–8PM Saturday: Closed
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Spanish Angels Cafe
106 Main St
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Spanish Angels is a tasty little cafe that offers breakfast and lunch during the week. It’s got a good vibe inside. They offer Mexican food, burritos, burgers, etc. and standard cafe breakfast items. They are located on Main Street in Dell City. Hours: Sunday: Closed Monday: 7AM–2PM Tuesday: 7AM–2PM Wednesday: 7AM–2PM Thursday: 7AM–2PM, 6–8PM Friday: 7AM–2PM, 6–8PM Saturday: Closed
Rosita's is a great local cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. Enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, burritos, etc and also burgers & fries. And they've got all your standard cafe breakfast items. Friendly locals and staff with a definite small town feel inside. They are located on Main Street in Dell City. Hours: Sunday: 7AM–2PM Monday: 7AM–2PM Tuesday: 7AM–2PM Wednesday: 7AM–2PM Thursday: 7AM–2PM Friday: 7AM–2PM Saturday: 7AM–2PM
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Rosita's Cafe
Main Street
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Rosita's is a great local cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. Enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, burritos, etc and also burgers & fries. And they've got all your standard cafe breakfast items. Friendly locals and staff with a definite small town feel inside. They are located on Main Street in Dell City. Hours: Sunday: 7AM–2PM Monday: 7AM–2PM Tuesday: 7AM–2PM Wednesday: 7AM–2PM Thursday: 7AM–2PM Friday: 7AM–2PM Saturday: 7AM–2PM
Dell City Mercantile offers some grocery items like drinks, beer, ice, candy, some food items. And then they also have personal pizzas that have been pretty popular with guests so far. They are located on the east side of Main Street just off the road on your right when you're coming into town. Hours: Sunday: 10AM–6PM Monday: 7AM–9PM Tuesday: 7AM–9PM Wednesday: 7AM–9PM Thursday: 7AM–9PM Friday: 7AM–9PM Saturday: 7AM–9PM
Dell City Mercantile
106 E Broadway St
Dell City Mercantile offers some grocery items like drinks, beer, ice, candy, some food items. And then they also have personal pizzas that have been pretty popular with guests so far. They are located on the east side of Main Street just off the road on your right when you're coming into town. Hours: Sunday: 10AM–6PM Monday: 7AM–9PM Tuesday: 7AM–9PM Wednesday: 7AM–9PM Thursday: 7AM–9PM Friday: 7AM–9PM Saturday: 7AM–9PM

Other Parks in the Area

Guadalupe Mountains NP is the closest park to The Guad and has a ton to offer. But there are also a number of other incredible parks nearby that also have their own magic to offer.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers the largest cavern in the country located underneath the desert floor and directly bordering Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is a truly incredible experience to go down into the cavern and walk around. The entrance to Carlsbad Caverns is almost exactly an hour from The Guad, so certainly doable for a day trip.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers the largest cavern in the country located underneath the desert floor and directly bordering Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is a truly incredible experience to go down into the cavern and walk around. The entrance to Carlsbad Caverns is almost exactly an hour from The Guad, so certainly doable for a day trip.
Hueco Tanks State Park is a really fun park featuring a few boulder-y mountains that look a lot like Mars. They remind me a little of Enchanted Rock in the Texas Hill Country if you've been there before. It's a really unique place and so much fun to climb around and explore. It's located an hour west of The Guad just outside of El Paso.
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Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1
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Hueco Tanks State Park is a really fun park featuring a few boulder-y mountains that look a lot like Mars. They remind me a little of Enchanted Rock in the Texas Hill Country if you've been there before. It's a really unique place and so much fun to climb around and explore. It's located an hour west of The Guad just outside of El Paso.
White Sands is an incredible national park near Las Cruces, NM. It features a 275 square mile field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. It's a truly incredible place - an experience you've probably never had before unless you've been there. This is a bit farther from The Guad than the other locations on this list, but many of my guests visit White Sands either on the way into The Guad or on the way out. If you really wanted to get out early and make it a day trip from The Guad though, you could.
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White Sands National Monument
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White Sands is an incredible national park near Las Cruces, NM. It features a 275 square mile field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. It's a truly incredible place - an experience you've probably never had before unless you've been there. This is a bit farther from The Guad than the other locations on this list, but many of my guests visit White Sands either on the way into The Guad or on the way out. If you really wanted to get out early and make it a day trip from The Guad though, you could.
If you live somewhere east of The Guad and are roadtripping back home on I-10, then you can't beat stopping for a plunge into Balmorhea State Park. The main feature of the park is the 1.3-acre, 3.5-million gallon freshwater pool built around the springs. It is the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. The water temperature ranges from 72 to 76 °F (22 to 24 °C) and up to 30 feet (9.1 m) deep. The pool bottom is flat in the more shallow areas and has a more natural rock bottom in the deeper areas. Super cool place to stop in and cool off.
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Balmorhea State Park
9207 TX-17
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If you live somewhere east of The Guad and are roadtripping back home on I-10, then you can't beat stopping for a plunge into Balmorhea State Park. The main feature of the park is the 1.3-acre, 3.5-million gallon freshwater pool built around the springs. It is the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. The water temperature ranges from 72 to 76 °F (22 to 24 °C) and up to 30 feet (9.1 m) deep. The pool bottom is flat in the more shallow areas and has a more natural rock bottom in the deeper areas. Super cool place to stop in and cool off.
A desert oasis. Sitting Bull Falls is a series of waterfalls located in a canyon in the Lincoln National Forest southwest of the city of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The falls are fed by springs located in the canyon above. The water flows through a series of streams and pools until reaching the falls where it drops 150 feet into the canyon below. Most of the water disappears into the gravel or cracks in the rocks and either reappears in springs further down the canyon.
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Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area
742 Sitting Bull Falls Rd
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A desert oasis. Sitting Bull Falls is a series of waterfalls located in a canyon in the Lincoln National Forest southwest of the city of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The falls are fed by springs located in the canyon above. The water flows through a series of streams and pools until reaching the falls where it drops 150 feet into the canyon below. Most of the water disappears into the gravel or cracks in the rocks and either reappears in springs further down the canyon.

Other Food in the Area

These are some other good places to eat more so on your way into or out of the area, depending on the direction you're going.
The Cornudas Cafe is an awesome, historic restaurant on Highway 180/62 between The Guad and El Paso. It's the only restaurant of any kind on that stretch and I highly recommend you stop in for a visit. They're only 15-20 minutes from The Guad, so you can definitely visit during your stay. And if you're coming or going through El Paso, you will drive right by it. Hours: Sunday: 7AM–5PM Monday: 7AM–5PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 7AM–5PM Thursday: 7AM–5PM Friday: 7AM–5PM Saturday: 7AM–5PM
Cornudas Cafe
180 U.S. 62
The Cornudas Cafe is an awesome, historic restaurant on Highway 180/62 between The Guad and El Paso. It's the only restaurant of any kind on that stretch and I highly recommend you stop in for a visit. They're only 15-20 minutes from The Guad, so you can definitely visit during your stay. And if you're coming or going through El Paso, you will drive right by it. Hours: Sunday: 7AM–5PM Monday: 7AM–5PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 7AM–5PM Thursday: 7AM–5PM Friday: 7AM–5PM Saturday: 7AM–5PM
The Cactus Cafe is the only restaurant right outside the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Whites City, NM. They have typical cafe breakfasts, burgers, etc. I've always had good food and nice folks in my experiences there. It's worth a stop if you're visiting Carlsbad Caverns or if you're just looking for some grub if you're leaving The Guad and heading east through Carlsbad.
Cactus Cafe
26 Carlsbad Cavern Highway
The Cactus Cafe is the only restaurant right outside the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Whites City, NM. They have typical cafe breakfasts, burgers, etc. I've always had good food and nice folks in my experiences there. It's worth a stop if you're visiting Carlsbad Caverns or if you're just looking for some grub if you're leaving The Guad and heading east through Carlsbad.
If you're coming or going through Van Horn on Interstate 10, then this is the place you should eat. The restaurant is in a historic old hotel built by the same architect that created El Paisano in Marfa where the movie Giant was filmed.
Hotel El Capitan Restaurant & Bar
100 E Broadway
If you're coming or going through Van Horn on Interstate 10, then this is the place you should eat. The restaurant is in a historic old hotel built by the same architect that created El Paisano in Marfa where the movie Giant was filmed.