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Overview
The 86,000 acre Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in a remote area of West Texas, just south of the New Mexico border. It is part of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, has a great diversity of habitat and almost 300 species of birds have been seen there.
This birding hotspot is no. 14 on the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail.
Birds
Notable Species
Birds of Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Rarities
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
"to do"
Other Wildlife
Animals of Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Site Information
History and Use
The park was dedicated and formally opened to the public in September, 1972.
Areas of Interest
- Headquarters Visitor Center
- Frijole Ranch is 1 mile east of the HQ Visitor Center. There is a small museum in the old ranch house.
- McKittrick Canyon (Day-use only). The entrance road is 7 miles east of the Visitor Center, on US Highway 62/180.
- Dog Canyon is located on the north side of the Park and is accessed from NM State Road 137, 70 miles from Carlsbad, NM.
- Williams Ranch (Day-use only). The entrance road requires a high clearance 4X4 vehicle and a key for the gate must be checked out from the HQ Visitor Center. Gate keys must be returned the same day.
- Salt Basin Dunes (Day-use only), a recently acquired area which is 50 miles away and requires a gate key from the HQ Visitor Center. Gate keys must be returned the same day.
Access and Facilities
- Guadalupe Mountains NP is open year round and offers outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, nature photography, star gazing and horseback riding (on own horse).
- The Visitor Center is located at Pine Springs on US Highway 62/180, 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas and 56 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
- The Visitor Center is open daily, except for Christmas Day. Hours: 8am - 4.30pm MST and 8am - 6pm MDT in the Summer (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend).
Contact Details
Guadalupe Mountains Nationsl Park
400 Pine Canyon Road
Salt Flat, Texas 79847-9400
Tel: (915) 828-3251
External Links
- Official Guadalupe Mountains National Park website
- Entrance Fees
- Map of Guadalupe Mountains NP
- Area map showing location of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Far West Texas Wildlife Trail - Guadalupe Mountains- Van Horn Loop
Content and images originally posted by HelenB