Established Camping
Pine Springs Campground — Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Pine Springs Campground, near Guadalupe Mountains National Park, is a straightforward spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the stunning Texas landscape. While it might feel more like a parking lot than a traditional campground, it offers easy access to some of the best hiking trails in the area, making it a solid base for outdoor adventures.
The campground features clean restrooms and a dishwashing station, which campers appreciate after a long day on the trails. Many visitors have noted the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, especially from the perimeter sites, where you can soak in the scenery while enjoying a peaceful evening. As one camper put it, “The views from my campsite were stunning!”
If you’re up for some hiking, you’re in luck. The campground is just a stone's throw from several trailheads, including the popular Guadalupe Peak Trail, which promises a rewarding challenge. Just be prepared for a bit of dry camping, as there are no electric hookups or showers available.
While some campers mentioned the lack of privacy and the parking lot vibe, the friendly atmosphere and proximity to nature make Pine Springs a worthwhile stop for a night or two. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, this campground serves as a gateway to the wild beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Description
National Park Service
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Overview
The Pine Springs RV campground is not a traditional campground. Be aware, this is a paved parking lot. The area shares a popular and busy trailhead accessing four major trails. The area is frequently congested with day use hikers searching for available parking and with foot traffic from overflow parking areas. Before booking a reservation: It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite. Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival. Refunds are not provided by the park. Pine Springs Campground is located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center, just off U.S. 62/180 and at an elevation of 5,730 feet. The location offers great hiker access to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park trail system. The campground is situated at the opening to the Pine Springs Canyon with spectacular views of the worlds best example of a fossil reef and of the vast Permian Basin to the east. The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November. High winds with over 50 mph gusts are common, especially during winter and spring.
Recreation
The Pine Springs Trailhead includes access to many different types of hikes. Hikes to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl are strenuous, 8-9 miles, and have 2500-3000 feet of elevation gain. Another strenuous hike is the Devils Hall Trail (4.2 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, of the trail in a rocky, uneven wash which includes route-finding and boldering skills). For a more moderate hike consider the the Frijole/Foothills Trail. The El Capitan Trail offers excellent open views of the surrounding desert and close approaches to the cliff face of El Capitan. Because of its distance, lack of shade, some primitive route travel, and numerous elevation changes, this trail is best saved for cooler times of year and for people with experience in route-finding. The ruins of a Butterfield stage station, called the Pinery are next to the highway, and a short, paved nature trail connects the visitor center and the historic site. The Frijole Ranch & History Museum is 1.5 miles away. The grounds are always open, but the museum is staffed intermittently. Seven miles to the east on Hwy 62/180 is McKittrick Canyon. This area offers three trails, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail (0.9 miles loop), McKittrick Canyon Trail (4.8 miles round-trip to Pratt Cabin or 6.8 miles round-trip to the Grotto) and the Permian Reef Trail (8.4 miles round-trip, for serious geology buffs).
Natural Features
The Pine Springs Campground is in an area with small, scattered trees, shrubs, and grasses. Trees include gray oaks and alligator junipers, which cast partial shade at some sites. Texas madrones, bigtooth maples, chinquapin oaks, and ponderosa pines become more common along the canyon floor. Higher elevations include Douglas fir and hop-hornbeam. Shrubs include whitethorn acacia, Mexican orange, Apache plume, sumacs, and algerita. Desert-adapted plants also occur in this area, and include prickly pear cactus, New Mexico agave, sotols, and soaptree yuccas. Hunter Peak and cross-sectional views of the Capitan reef are visible from the campground. Roadside pullouts (one mile and four miles away) provide excellent views of El Capitan. Hiking into Pine Springs canyon or along the foothills reveals Guadalupe Peak. The Guadalupe Peak trail ascends to the highest point in Texas and offers excellent views of the surrounding desert. Birds commonly seen and/or heard around the campground can include Canyon towhees, turkey vultures, white-winged doves, common ravens, chipping sparrows, Says phoebes, common poorwills, and phainopeplas depending on the season. Night sky visibility is excellent and nearly pristine directly overhead, to the south, and the southwest. Nearby high ridges and peaks are situated to the west and north.
Nearby Attractions
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs. Lincoln National Forest: The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road access is through New Mexico, north of Whites City, via Dark Canyon Road to NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national parks Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon. Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park: Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5 hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several programs available. White Sands National Park: Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site: Hueco Tanks State Park is located on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view rock imagery.
Charges & Cancellations
Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov. Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.
Fee Info
Guadalupe Mountains National Park group campsite fees are $60.00 per night. Group site occupancy requires a minimum of 10 persons and is limited to a maximum of 20 persons per site. Groups larger than 20 persons are required to obtain a Special Use Permit 3 weeks prior to your visit. To begin the SUP process, click here.
Location
Pine Springs Campground — Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Texas
Directions
The Pine Springs area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located on the north side of US Hwy 62/180 near Mile Post 130. From Interstate 10, take the Van Horn, Texas exit. Follow TX Hwy 54 (56 miles/17 km) north to the intersection of US Hwy 62/180. Turn east on 62/180 and travel (9 miles/14.5 km) to the park. From El Paso, TX, follow US Hwy 62/180 east for (110 miles/177 km) to the park. From Carlsbad, NM, take US Hwy 62/180 west for (55 miles/88.5 km) to the park.
Coordinates
31.89553 N
104.82603 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonGood
- AT&TFair
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
