Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 1

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a small park located in the Texas panhandle just down the road from Carlsbad Cavern. Since we were in the area on a road trip, we decided to check it out.

The property for this park was donated to the National Park Service in the 60s. By the 70s, they had decided to designate it one of the country’s 59 national parks. There isn’t a whole lot at Guadalupe for young kids, just a Visitor’s Center with a very small museum, a few nature walks and hikes through the desert, and an old pioneer cabin that you can walk through.

The kids enjoyed the Junior Ranger program, which they printed out online. They were able to complete 4 activities before arriving, which was enough for the badge, and two more at the park, which earned them the patch, too. Part of this was looking at the wildlife displays in the Visitor’s Center and answering questions at the pioneer cabin.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 2 — This is the Visitor’s Center where you can get all the information for Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 4 — There were a few hands-on exhibits like the touch table, a rock exhibit, and a computer with information.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 3 — We enjoyed the animals displays, and learned a lot as we did the Junior Ranger program.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 19 — We really love the Junior Ranger program and encourage every family to take part.

We also did two short walks. The first one was called Pinery Nature Trail and was located just behind the Visitor’s Center. This two-thirds of a mile out-and-back trail showcased some of the flora in the park, which includes yucca, cacti, and different kinds of desert trees. The hike ends at a very old foundation of a mail service building that preceded the Pony Express. This hike was paved and easy enough for anyone, but it was only 85 degrees on the day we visited and it felt like 105. I guess everything really is bigger in Texas!

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 5 — This trail starts behind the Visitor’s Center.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 6 — The trail is paved, so it is accessible to everyone.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 7 — There were signs along the way teaching about the plants and wildlife in the area.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 8 — The mountains are unique and provide a beautiful backdrop as you hike.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 9 — The trail ends at this old Stagecoach stop.

The second trail we did started at the Frijoles Pioneer Cabin. It walked down to one of the six springs in the area, which has been dammed to form a beautiful pond in the middle of the desert. It takes all your willpower not to dip your toes in! The water is crystal clear and there are fish swimming just below the surface. If you were here at the right time, you’d certainly see wildlife, but all we managed to see were a few lizards and a roadrunner. This trail continued farther in a loop to a second spring, but we stopped at Manzanita Spring and returned, which was just .6 miles roundtrip.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 10 — The house was not open when we were there, but we peeked in the windows.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 14 — You can usually walk inside and see the old pioneer home.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 13 — This little building was the school house for the area.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 11 — This is where the springs came up and the settlers here collected water.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 12 — You can walk all around the old farm. We liked seeing the irrigation they had set up.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 15 — Behind the schoolhouse there is a trail to Manzanita Springs

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 16 — You don’t have to walk far before you come across the spring. It looks like a small pond.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 17 — The water was very beautiful.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park 18 — It was crystal clear. We could see fish swimming through the grass.

We spent less than 3 hours at Guadalupe National Park, but if you’re in the area for Carlsbad Cavern and have a half day to spend, it is worth the half-hour drive.