Marcus Wilderness Campground

About

Marcus Wilderness Campground offers a remote backcountry experience in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness. From Dog Canyon, hikers travel through grassy areas, cross Manzanita Ridge with views of West Dog Canyon, then descend to an elevation equivalent to the starting point. The campground sits in a pinon and juniper forest that provides shade and wind protection. This is a primitive camping experience with no water, no toilets, and no established amenities. Campers must carry all water (one gallon per person per day recommended), pack out all trash, and use a landfill-safe commercial toilet bag system (minimum one bag per person per day, with proof of possession required when obtaining the permit). Campfires are strictly prohibited throughout the park; only containerized fuel stoves are permitted for cooking. The campground has 5 designated sites and is not frequently used. Pay attention to the trail and rock cairns marking the way, as the route can be less obvious than more popular trails in the park.

Directions

From Dog Canyon, hike 3.7 miles. The trail passes through grassy areas, crosses Manzanita Ridge with views of West Dog Canyon, then descends to the campground. Follow rock cairns carefully as the trail is not heavily used.