Climbing to Guadalupe Peak - The Top of Texas
8.4-mile round trip hike, 3,000-foot elevation gain, labeled hard, and they weren’t joking!
When checking off all the things to do in Texas. Of course, hiking up to the highest point in Texas sounded like a literal mountain I needed to conquer. Now the planning begins. I knew I couldn’t take the kids on this one, and with no family living here, the dates available for this trip were few and far between. July was the magical date we could have someone take care of the kids while we went on this adventure. July…in Texas. I hoped the heat wouldn't be THAT bad since it was a mountain. ha
If you’re like us and van camp, there was a picnic area right outside the park that we rested at before heading in to start our hike as soon as the park opened. You can find more details on the Guadalupe Peak website. Besides van camping or tent camping, there isn’t much around in the way of places to stay. There are a few Airbnbs. However, they book up quickly. The next closest town to stay in would be Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Once inside Guadalupe State Park, there was a payment box and a log to note which trail you were hiking and how many were in your party.
It was rocky and windy, and not a lot of shade. However, I didn’t find it scary, the trails were well-maintained, and I never worried about sliding off the trail. We took several breaks and went through a lot of water! And at the top, it was a cool 70 degrees. Believe it or not, the way down was more demanding than going up. With the elevation, you had to hold yourself much more with the decline. But all was worth it to log our achievement at the top.
After we made it down, we headed to a little town in New Mexico, where we had one of the best Mexican meals of our lives! After we were fed and cleaned up, we were ready to move on to the next spot!
Bring plenty of water, good hiking shoes, sunscreen, and snacks!
If you want a challenge, this is it!
Other National Parks Nearby
White Sands National Park - An incredible park that is absolutely stunning for photos! The newest National Park, its only a 3 hour drive from Guadalupe. Remember, sand and wind don’t mix so keep that in mind.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park- While this place is 42 miles away, it is highly recommended! It’s excellent for undesirable weather. Be sure to check ahead of time as it will fill up during busy seasons!
