Texas / Culberson County / Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness / Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Mescalero Wilderness Campground

Open — Open year-round with wilderness permits available for reservation three months in advance through Recreation.gov or as walk-up permits at Pine Springs Visitor Center from 8:00 a.m. to noon daily. Permits cost $6 reservation fee plus $6 per person per night.

About

Mescalero Wilderness Campground is a primitive backcountry camping area accessible only by foot trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Located on the Tejas Trail, the campground is 6.2 miles from Pine Springs Trailhead or 4.7 miles from Dog Canyon. Situated in ponderosa pine and brush on a slope overlooking a small drainage, Mescalero offers 8 designated campsites and makes an excellent base camp for exploring the high country wilderness, with trails leading in multiple directions from the area. Hikers may hear wild turkeys in the distance. A wilderness use permit is required for all overnight camping and can be reserved up to three months in advance through Recreation.gov or obtained as a walk-up permit at Pine Springs Visitor Center. The permit costs $6 reservation fee plus $6 per person per night. This is a true wilderness experience with no water, no toilets, and no amenities. Campers must carry all water (plan for one gallon per person per day), use commercial landfill-safe toilet bag systems, and pack out all trash. Campfires are prohibited throughout the park; only containerized fuel stoves are allowed.

Directions

Accessible only by foot trail. From Pine Springs Trailhead via Tejas Trail (6.2 miles) or from Dog Canyon (4.7 miles).

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