West Texas is such a mystical place, its wide-open roads and endless desert landscape evoking an air of enchantment that simply can’t be described in words. Tucked away in this desolate region are the majestic Guadalupe Mountains, which make up one of the most underrated national parks in the country. Take a look below to learn all about this national park to visit in Texas.

Often overlooked, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, and an incredibly diverse collection of flora and fauna. It's among the most underrated national parks in the country, a statistic many would love to see change.
Flickr/faungg
Tucked away in the remote West Texas desert, far away from any semblance of civilization, this nearly 90,000-acre destination is unlike any other place within the entire National Park Service system.
Facebook/Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Over 80 miles of trails encompass the largest wilderness area in Texas. There's something for every skill level, from short-and-sweet nature walks to the strenuous, 8.5-mile trek to the "Top of Texas."
Flickr/Shann Yu

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Reaching the incredible Guadalupe Peak is quite an arduous journey, as the trail climbs 3,000 feet through a lush conifer forest. Once you get to the summit, you'll enjoy unparalleled views to the West and South - and sign your name in the book to commemorate such a challenging adventure.
Facebook/Guadalupe Mountains National Park
If you visit during the fall season, hiking the McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop is a must. This relatively easy trail is under a mile long and boasts some of the most vibrant foliage in Texas.
Facebook/Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Smith Spring Loop is a lesser-known, but totally bucket-list-worthy trail. Even though it's only 2.3 miles round trip, it still manages to pack in everything from dry, barren terrain to flourishing riparian vegetation.
Flickr/Chuck 55
Mountains aren't the only natural wonder in the park. Make sure to check out the Salt Basin Dunes, a 2,000-acre desert landscape that began forming almost 30 million years ago.
Google/Juan Chairez

Visit the NPS website or the park’s official Facebook page to learn more.

Have you ever paid a visit to this national park in Texas? If so, what was the most memorable part of your trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park? Let us know, and be sure to check out our previous article to learn more about the Salt Basin Dunes: Hike Through Over 2,000 Acres Of White Sand Dunes At Guadalupe Mountains National Park In Texas.

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national park to visit in texas

Jennifer Young | February 18, 2022

What's one of the best parks in Texas to spend the day?

Texas is home to many parks that are perfect for spending the day. One in particular is Big Bend National Park. Big Bend National Park was established in 1935 and covers 801,163 acres. It contains the following three habitats: river, desert, and mountains. This sprawling park also offers a variety of activities for all ages, including hiking. In fact, Big Bend National Park is home to some of the best hiking trails in Texas.

What are some of the best things to do outside in Texas?

There are several outdoor activities offered in Texas for all ages, including camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, birding, horseback riding, and more. The majority of these activities are offered in Texas' state and national parks, so you'll want to keep that in mind when planning your outdoor adventure(s). You'll certainly never run out of things to do in the Lone Star State.

What are the three best hiking trails in Texas?

There are several wonderful hiking trails in Texas. AllTrails.com has Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail, Lost Mine Trail, and The Window Trail as Texas' three best trails.

The Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail is an 8.4-mile, out-and-back trail with a hard rating in terms of difficulty. It's part of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and is accessible year-round.

Texas' Lost Mine Trail is a 4.8-mile, out-and-back trail in Big Bend National Park. It has a moderate difficulty rating and is also accessible year-round.

The Window Trail, which is also located in Big Bend National Park, is a 5.2-mile, out-and-back trail with a moderate difficulty rating. The best time to hike this trail is from March to October.

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Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dell City, TX 79847, USA