McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail

This trail travels through the desert and riparian ecosystems, with several interpretive stops

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McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail Details

This easy 0.9-mile interpretive loop starts and ends at the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center, several miles northeast of Pine Springs off of Highway 180/62. The trail travels through the desert and riparian ecosystems, with several interpretive stops giving information on common desert plants and wildlife, the geology of this ancient Permian reef, and the local history of wildland fires. The trail gains around 200 feet, and takes less than an hour. Park at the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center and begin from the trailhead next to the visitor center. McKittrick Canyon is open for day use only, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

0.9 miles

Estimated time

30 mins

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail

Compare nearby parks around McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

7.0 mi away

Guadalupe Mountains

National Park · TX

22.7 mi away

Carlsbad Caverns

National Park · NM

99.7 mi away

White Sands

National Park · NM

204.8 mi away

Big Bend

National Park · TX

350.5 mi away

Saguaro

National Park · AZ

359.7 mi away

Petrified Forest

National Park · AZ

Nearby Points of Interest Around McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

McKittrick Canyon Trail

The canyon is one of the only year-round water sources in the area.

0.1 mi away

Permian Reef Trail

This strenuous trail is perfect for those interested in history and geology.

0.2 mi away

McKittrick Canyon

McKittrick Canyon is one of the only year-round water sources in the park.

0.2 mi away

McKittrick Canyon

This steep canyon is located within the Guadalupe Mountain Range and the Chihuahuan Desert, although parts of it also extend into the Lincoln Forest National Park.

1.7 mi away

Pratt Cabin

The Pratt Cabin gets its name from William Pratt, the geologist and founding conservationist who had it built in the early 1900s.