Permian Reef Trail
This strenuous trail is perfect for those interested in history and geology.
Plan Around Permian Reef Trail
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Permian Reef Trail Details
This strenuous trail is perfect for those interested in history and geology. The 8.4-mile (round trip) trail traverses the Wilderness Ridge above McKittrick Canyon. There are several interpretive stops along the way, with information on the geological history of the Permian era reef that used to line the landscape. The Pine Springs Visitor Center sells geological guidebooks to the park, which are a perfect compliment to the interpretive stops on this trail. The trail is steep, with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Park at the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center, several miles northeast of Pine Springs off of Highway 180/62, and begin from the trailhead next to the visitor center. McKittrick Canyon is open for day use only, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Difficulty
High
Distance
8.4 miles
Estimated time
N/A
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Permian Reef Trail
Compare nearby parks around Permian Reef Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Permian Reef Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Permian Reef Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
McKittrick Canyon Trail
The canyon is one of the only year-round water sources in the area.
0.1 mi away
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
This trail travels through the desert and riparian ecosystems, with several interpretive stops
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.
