Doobage
12-27-2005, 01:54 PM
The Guadalupe Mountain National Park is home to the tallest mountain in Texas. It is in a high desert in west Texas. However the short range of mountains contain a rain forest that is on top of the mountain range. This makes for some interesting hiking. It is also very close to Carlsbad Caverns which is worth the trip.
Cost:
$16 a night. No reservations.
Camping:
Camping is mostly primitive. There is an RV area with a few pads. The main camping area is on a gravel section of road about 200 meters off the main asphalt road in the park. While camping there I saw an '04 ST 1300 camp at one of the main primitive sites, so it is rideable and only a short drive from the main road, which is in good condition. The campsites contain a picnic table and a gravel pad for the tent. There is animal proof trash cans located near the gravel road way about 30 meters from your tent. There is also a few water spickets along the gravel road way. Additional camping is found by hiking to several different locations within the park and isn't easy hiking, but does have well marked trails.
Facilities:
The bathroom is descent, containing two toilets and a waterless urinal (I'd assume 3 for the ladies). There are no electrical outlets anywhere in the park that I could find. No showers either. I don't believe open fires are permitted either. There are a couple industrial metal sinks next to the restrooms. There is a nice vistor center that has a good deal of information and helpful rangers.
Being a high desert, the temp cools off at night, but during the hot summer months you need to really monitor your water in take and salts. And since the camp is close to a rain forest, I'd highly recommend bringing rain gear for the typical afternoon showers of late summer. The rains cause a great deal of plants to bloom in the desert making it a real treat. With no showers, I recommend a portable "bag" shower...(black bag that heats your water during the day and allows you to take a short shower at dusk.)
Activities:
Every evening the park rangers have a slide show which is very informative and different every night I was there (3 nights). The area is very rich in fossils and was an ocean basin/beach 235 million years ago, if I remember correctly. There is one of the largest variety of butterfly species and moths in the U.S.
Aside from the copius amount of hiking trails leading up the mountains, El Capitan, a rather striking vertical cliff looks like it would offer great repelling. There are also desert dunes on the opposite side of the park.
The closest restaraunts would be up towards Carlsbad about 30 or 40 minutes away.
If you go to Carlsbad Caverns (which you MUST do), I highly recommend walking down from the natural entrance rather than taking the elevator. The natural entrance really is astonishing and helps bring perspective to the 750 foot decent into the heart of the cavern. During the summer the resident bats come out a dusk and there is a seating ampitheater at the entrance to watch the exodus.
The roads around the park are in good condition. However there are "draws" (small creeks) that flash flood frequently from the rains which can sometimes cause rocks and debris to flow across the road. Other hazards would include deer and rabbits that also frequently cross the road. But if you are wanting to test the speed of your bike, they are some of the most empty roads you can find in Texas. Riding a couple hours north into New Mexico provides some twisty roads that run between Ruidosa and Roswell (and I'm sure plenty of others). Riding south will have you in Big Bend Park within 2 hours.
The park receives high marks from me because of it's remote location. It's quiet and clear.
Cost:
$16 a night. No reservations.
Camping:
Camping is mostly primitive. There is an RV area with a few pads. The main camping area is on a gravel section of road about 200 meters off the main asphalt road in the park. While camping there I saw an '04 ST 1300 camp at one of the main primitive sites, so it is rideable and only a short drive from the main road, which is in good condition. The campsites contain a picnic table and a gravel pad for the tent. There is animal proof trash cans located near the gravel road way about 30 meters from your tent. There is also a few water spickets along the gravel road way. Additional camping is found by hiking to several different locations within the park and isn't easy hiking, but does have well marked trails.
Facilities:
The bathroom is descent, containing two toilets and a waterless urinal (I'd assume 3 for the ladies). There are no electrical outlets anywhere in the park that I could find. No showers either. I don't believe open fires are permitted either. There are a couple industrial metal sinks next to the restrooms. There is a nice vistor center that has a good deal of information and helpful rangers.
Being a high desert, the temp cools off at night, but during the hot summer months you need to really monitor your water in take and salts. And since the camp is close to a rain forest, I'd highly recommend bringing rain gear for the typical afternoon showers of late summer. The rains cause a great deal of plants to bloom in the desert making it a real treat. With no showers, I recommend a portable "bag" shower...(black bag that heats your water during the day and allows you to take a short shower at dusk.)
Activities:
Every evening the park rangers have a slide show which is very informative and different every night I was there (3 nights). The area is very rich in fossils and was an ocean basin/beach 235 million years ago, if I remember correctly. There is one of the largest variety of butterfly species and moths in the U.S.
Aside from the copius amount of hiking trails leading up the mountains, El Capitan, a rather striking vertical cliff looks like it would offer great repelling. There are also desert dunes on the opposite side of the park.
The closest restaraunts would be up towards Carlsbad about 30 or 40 minutes away.
If you go to Carlsbad Caverns (which you MUST do), I highly recommend walking down from the natural entrance rather than taking the elevator. The natural entrance really is astonishing and helps bring perspective to the 750 foot decent into the heart of the cavern. During the summer the resident bats come out a dusk and there is a seating ampitheater at the entrance to watch the exodus.
The roads around the park are in good condition. However there are "draws" (small creeks) that flash flood frequently from the rains which can sometimes cause rocks and debris to flow across the road. Other hazards would include deer and rabbits that also frequently cross the road. But if you are wanting to test the speed of your bike, they are some of the most empty roads you can find in Texas. Riding a couple hours north into New Mexico provides some twisty roads that run between Ruidosa and Roswell (and I'm sure plenty of others). Riding south will have you in Big Bend Park within 2 hours.
The park receives high marks from me because of it's remote location. It's quiet and clear.