# Guadalupe Mountains: from El Paso to the top of Texas

> 3-day road trip of about 502 km (312 mi) with 8 stops, from El Paso to Fort Davis. About 5 h 34 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b19-guadalupe-mountains/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 502 km (312 mi) with 8 stops, from El Paso to Fort Davis. About 5 h 34 min of driving in total. Rock art at Hueco Tanks, the highest summit in Texas and a maple canyon, then south to the Balmorhea spring and Fort Davis.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 502 km (312 mi) |
| Driving | 5 h 34 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | El Paso → Fort Davis |
| States | TX |
| Updated | May 15, 2026 |

## Route description

Start on the east side of El Paso at Hueco Tanks, where a daily visitor cap means you should reserve your entry permit online a few days ahead. Then take US-62/180 east across the Salt Flat basin; it is about 150 km of empty desert to Pine Springs, so fill the tank and carry water. There are no fuel stations inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Pine Springs is the park’s hub, with the visitor center, a small campground with RV sites (no hookups) that is booked on recreation.gov and the trailhead for Guadalupe Peak. The climb gains about 900 m and takes most of a day; set off at first light and turn back if thunderstorms or strong winds build. On a rest day, the short spring loop at Frijole Ranch is easy walking for all ages.

McKittrick Canyon has its own gated road off US-62/180, open only in daytime, so plan to be out before closing. The canyon is at its most colorful from late October to mid November, when the maples turn; weekends then are busy and the lot can fill. In summer, hike early: midday temperatures in the desert below the rim often pass 35 °C.

From the park, TX-54 runs 90 km south through ranch land to Van Horn on I-10, the only real service town on this stretch. Continue east on I-10 to Balmorhea State Park for a swim in the spring-fed pool (reserve day passes online), then climb TX-17 through Wild Rose Pass to Fort Davis. The whole route is easy for RVs; only the peak trail needs real effort.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **El Paso** (TX)
2. **Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site** (El Paso, TX): Granite hills east of El Paso with rain-filled rock basins and hundreds of painted masks and pictographs. Day visits are capped, so reserve a permit online; much of the site is open only on guided tours.
3. **Guadalupe Peak Trail (Pine Springs)** (Pine Springs, TX): The trail to the highest point in Texas (2,667 m) starts at the Pine Springs campground in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Allow 6–8 hours for the 13.5 km round trip and start early; wind on the summit ridge can be fierce.
4. **Frijole Ranch** (Pine Springs, TX): A stone ranch house from the 1870s with a small history museum, shaded picnic tables and an easy 4 km loop to Smith and Manzanita springs. A good short stop if you are not hiking the peak.
5. **McKittrick Canyon** (Pine Springs, TX): A desert canyon with a spring-fed stream and bigtooth maples that turn red in late October and early November. The gate on US-62/180 opens only in daytime hours, and the trail to Pratt Cabin is about 7.6 km round trip.
6. **Van Horn** (TX)
7. **Balmorhea State Park** (Toyahvale, TX): A huge spring-fed pool in the desert, clear and cool all year, with small fish swimming around the divers. Day passes are limited, so reserve online before you drive out.
8. **Fort Davis** (TX)

## FAQs

**How long is Guadalupe Mountains: from El Paso to the top of Texas?**
3-day road trip of about 502 km (312 mi) with 8 stops, from El Paso to Fort Davis. About 5 h 34 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Guadalupe Mountains: from El Paso to the top of Texas?**
We suggest 3 days: about 5 h 34 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Guadalupe Mountains: from El Paso to the top of Texas start and end?**
It starts in El Paso and ends in Fort Davis.

**Which states does Guadalupe Mountains: from El Paso to the top of Texas pass through?**
Texas.