|
Guadalupe Mountains National
Park... Continued
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Headquarters Visitor Center at Pine
Springs has natural history exhibits and auditorium slide program. Historic
Frijole Ranch Museum features exhibits on local history. McKittrick Contact
Station features outdoor exhibits and slide program on the history, geology and
natural history of the canyon.
Trails, Roads:
Eighty-plus miles of trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous.
Trails are rocky and often steep and rugged. Trails lead to Guadalupe Peak,
around the base of El Capitan, up into the high country and across the top of
the escarpment, and into McKittrick Canyon. Self-guided nature trails are
located at McKittrick Canyon, Pinery trail at Pine Springs and Indian Meadow
Trail at Dog Canyon.
Programs/Activities:
Summer evening programs in campground amphitheater, frequent slide program
and geology video showings in Visitor Center daily.
Lodging and camping facilities:
No lodging facilities in or near park. Closest is 35 miles northeast in
White's City, NM. Two front-country campgrounds have tent and RV sites, water
and rest rooms, but no showers or hookups. Ten back-country campgrounds. A free
permit is required and may be obtained in person at the Headquarters Visitor
Center or at the Dog Canyon Ranger Station. No fires (including charcoal)
allowed in park.
Food,/supplies:
No gas, food, ice or supplies available in park. Closest facilities are 35
miles northeast in White's City, NM. Water available at trailheads. There is no
water in park's backcountry.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
Opportunities:
No concessions in park.
The Carlsbad Caverns -Guadalupe
Mountains Association operates a large bookstore in the Headquarters Visitor
Center.
Accessibility:
Headquarters Visitor Center is fully accessible; accessible rest rooms; .75
mile round trip Pinery Trail from visitor center to Butterfield Stage Ruins is
accessible. Wheelchair available. McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center is
accessible.
Special Needs:
Bi-lingual and sign language park ranger on staff. Visitor Center slide
program captioned in English and Spanish.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Hiking, camping, bird watching, desert wildflowers, wildlife observations,
horseback riding-day use only (bring your own stock). Stock may not be kept in
the backcountry overnight but corrals are available for visitor use at Frijole
Ranch and Dog Canyon.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
No individual camping reservations accepted. Reservations accepted for front
country groups of ten or more. Free backcountry camping permits required;
horseback riding (bring your own stock) and free corral use (permits required.)
All permits must be obtained in person at the Headquarters Visitor Center or Dog
Canyon Ranger Station on the day of or the day before they are to be used.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Bring everything you will need during your visit. No concessions or supplies
available in the park; dress appropriately; be prepared for sudden weather
changes; take adequate water into the backcountry (one gallon per person per
day).
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park; Living Desert State Park in Carlsbad, NM;
Carlsbad Museum and Art Gallery in Carlsbad, NM; Brantley Dam State Park north
of Carlsbad, NM; Hueco Tanks State Park east of El Paso, TX; Pecos River Beach
and picnic area in Carlsbad, NM.
RESTRICTIONS:
Pets on a leash are permitted only in drive-in campgrounds, not in the
backcountry or on trails. Smoking is not permitted in any park building.
Visitors must stay on trail in McKittrick Canyon and entry to the canyon stream
is prohibited. No fires (including charcoal) allowed in park; horses not allowed
in backcountry overnight.
Back to
Local Attractions
|
