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Zereshk CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Guadalupe Peak

Mountain

Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas, inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park; hikers take the steep summit trail for wide desert and mountain panoramas.

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In this guide

Guadalupe Peak essentials

Address: Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847 (trailhead: Pine Springs Visitor Center area)
Website: nps.gov
Hours: Park generally open daily; visitor center hours vary seasonally (check official site)
Admission: Park permit and entrance fees to Guadalupe Mountains National Park may apply; check NPS site for current fees
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About Guadalupe Peak

Guadalupe Peak is the highest natural point in Texas, located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Its summit reaches 8,751 feet (2,667 meters) above sea level.

Hikers follow a maintained trail to a marked summit that offers wide views across the Chihuahuan Desert and the surrounding mountain range. The trail is steep in places and commonly completed as an 8.4-mile round trip with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain.

The peak and surrounding range have long been noted on regional maps and were incorporated into Guadalupe Mountains National Park to protect the area’s geology and natural ecosystems. The summit features a small metal pyramid monument placed by the Sierra Club.

The peak lies in far West Texas within Guadalupe Mountains National Park, near the New Mexico border and roughly 90 miles southeast of El Paso by road.

  • Highest point in Texas: Summit elevation is 8,751 feet (2,667 meters), making it the highest natural point in the state of Texas.
  • Trail information: The maintained trail to the summit is about 8.4 miles round trip with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain, commonly hiked in a long day.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Guadalupe Peak

Spring and autumn offer the best combination of weather and trail conditions; summer afternoons are hot and storm-prone, and winter can bring snow and icy patches on the summit trail.

Spring
March-May · 6-24°C (43-75°F)
Wildflowers and moderate temperatures-excellent for hiking.
Autumn
September-November · 10-20°C (50-68°F)
Cooler, clearer days and fewer thunderstorms than summer.

Weather & Climate near Guadalupe Peak

Climate

Guadalupe Peak's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (505 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 21 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -2° - 10° 0° 17 mm - - 6.1 m/s - -
February - -1° - 12° 2° 18 mm - - 6.3 m/s - -
March - 2° - 15° 5° 14 mm - - 6.6 m/s - -
April - 5° - 19° 12° 13 mm - - 6.7 m/s - -
May - 10° - 24° 17° 31 mm - - 5.9 m/s - -
June - 14° - 28° 21° 55 mm - - 5.1 m/s - -
July - 15° - 28° 21° 84 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
August - 15° - 27° 21° 104 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
September - 12° - 24° 18° 90 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
October - 8° - 20° 14° 37 mm - - 5.0 m/s - -
November - 2° - 14° 5° 22 mm - - 5.6 m/s - -
December - -2° - 11° 0° 20 mm - - 6.3 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Guadalupe Peak

Guadalupe Peak trailhead is reached from Pine Springs Visitor Center inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park. From El Paso drive east on I-10 to US-62/180, then south on TX-54 and follow park signs; the park is roughly a 2.5-3 hour drive from El Paso.

Tips for Visiting Guadalupe Peak

  • Start the Guadalupe Peak Trail early-summit temperatures and winds can be harsh by midday
  • Bring layers: summit winds can make summer afternoons feel like late fall
  • If seeking solitude, weekdays in shoulder seasons (March, October) reduce foot traffic on the 8.5-mile round-trip trail