Guadalupe Mountains National Park drew a record 243,000 recreational visits during 2021. These numbers reflect a 28% increase since the last pre-pandemic year of 2019 (189,000), and an 8% increase over 2017’s post-NPS centennial surge year (225,000). In a similar twelve month period, over one million vehicles drove through the park on U.S. Highway 62/180.
“While the park is often overlooked, our proximity to El Paso and communities in southeast New Mexico and central Texas means that most weekends regularly see hundreds of hikers making the ascent of Guadalupe Peak,” said Superintendent Eric Leonard. “The Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness is the largest in the state of Texas and allows visitors to experience personal challenges and seek solitude in rugged and remote desert and mountain landscapes.”
Park managers and staff continue to address the effect that increasing visitation is having on visitor and employee safety, park resources, infrastructure, visitor experiences, and operational capacity. During the busiest times of the year it is now necessary for park employees to limit vehicle access to the Pine Springs area when all parking is full and heavy congestion warrants. During the spring break season, fall colors season, and many extended holiday weekends, visitors may find “one-in, one-out” traffic control measures in place and should have alternative itineraries planned utilizing other trailhead access areas in the park, such as McKittrick Canyon, Dog Canyon, or Frijole Ranch.
In response to increased demand for camping, last fall the Pine Springs and Dog Canyon developed campgrounds converted to the recreation.gov reservation service. Reservations are now required for both campgrounds and may be made online via recreation.gov up to six months in advance. By the fall of 2022 overnight Wilderness permitting will also move on-line so that those visitors planning extended trips into Texas’ oldest and largest Wilderness area can prepare for their trips in advance.
2022 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of Guadalupe Mountains National Park on September 30, 1972. The park looks forward to marking this milestone throughout the year and encourages all to plan ahead and arrive prepared to enjoy this rugged and remote place. Please recreate responsibly to ensure this iconic landscape may be enjoyed by future generations.
Additional details on National Park Service visitor statistics can be found online at IRMA Stats.
