The best walks and hikes in Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness

The Notch is where the McKittrick Canyon Trail passes through a physical break in the ridge, marking an excellent viewpoint over the canyon about halfway between McKittrick Ridge and the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead. For most day hikers, the Notch is the stunning, traditional turnaround point that offers incredible views of the sheer peaks that tower over the canyon. These views are even more exceptional in the fall as the leaves change from green to red, yellow, and orange.

This line shack and remains of a tack room were once part of the ranching interests owned by Judge J.C. Hunter. Hunter also once owned 70,000 acres in what is now Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Hunter family sometimes hosted guests at this site, which they called the Guadalupe Mountain Ranch, when they managed these lands. Although you cannot enter the cabin, it's still a neat place to check out in a beautiful setting for those interested in the history of ranching and the park, and it is just a short distance away from the Grotto.

Deep in McKittrick Canyon is a small, shaded spot that houses a small, unique-looking cave at the base of rounded cliff. There are a few wooden picnic tables near the Grotto, making it a great place to stop for lunch or a snack on your hike.

When visiting McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, make sure to take a break at the historic Pratt Cabin, which is just a short distance off the main trail. Built in the 1930s by oil geologist Wallace Pratt, the cabin served as the Pratt family's summer home until 1940. Wallace, along with his wife Pearl and their three children, cherished this retreat and spent many summers here, sharing the cabin with friends. He later used the cabin to host geologists from around the world to study McKittrick Canyon. Today, the cabin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and you cannot enter the cabin without a volunteer or ranger present. Even if you can not go inside the building, you can still appreciate the charm and beautiful setting of this historic site. Take advantage of the grounds around the cabin and the adjacent garage, where there is a picnic and rest area (but no bathrooms) as well as interpretive signage about Pratt family and their contribution to the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The remote Bush Mountain is deep in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness and can only be accessed by hiking or horse-packing. Standing at 8,631 feet, Bush Mountain is the second highest peak in Texas. Many who hike Bush Mountain choose to make it an overnight trip; there is a wilderness campground and radio tower below the southeast side of the summit. Regardless of whether you make it a day hike or part of a backpacking trip, Bush Mountain is a great summit with lovely views of the mountains and desert surrounded by scrubby pine trees and grasses.

The Bowl is a small patch of dense remnant pine forest north of Hunter Peak. It is a great, challenging, destination in of itself, but is also a great add-on for those doing Hunter Peak and looking for some extra milage. This type of forest is somewhat unique at this elevation, and it is a great place to look for deer and elk among the trees in the shade.

Hunter Peak stands at 8,368 feet and was named after two ranchers, J. C. Hunter and J. C. Hunter, Jr., who owned much of the land that is now a part of the park. Hunter Peak has some of the best views in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Sweeping views of the vast desert are to the south, to the north are views of the Bowl, and to the west are phenomenal views of Guadalupe Peak. Hunter Peak is a proud summit and a great place to take in the some of the best views in Guadalupe National Park.

The Pine Springs Area and Trailhead is where many trails in the National Park begin and is by far the most heavily used day-use area in the park. Despite this, however, the parking lot is rather small so either plan to arrive early to get a spot or just park in the much larger Visitor Center lot. It is just a short distance away and there is a short trail connecting the two areas.