Dog Canyon Campground

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In the dog days of summer, you’ll be pleased to know that Dog Canyon Campground is actually quite a bit cooler than other park campgrounds, thanks to a higher elevation and a sweet spot beneath sheltering steep cliff walls.

There’s nine tent sites and four RV sites to choose from here. Restrooms are nearby, but you won’t find any showers here -- you don’t mind a bit of dirt, do you?

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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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(202)

More to explore nearby

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2 ratings · 2 reviews

Calvarado59@Hotmail.Com A.

October 4, 2016

Camped on September 24th 2016. The mountain was beautiful and there were more people hiking and camping than I expected. There are about 4 different trails that you can take. Be sure to plan how long you'll be out. Take maps, sunscreen, water, flashlight/headlamp and jacket as the temperature can and does drop quickly at night. Getting caught in the dark on the mountain isn't fun. Saw a couple people trying to make their way down after 9pm. If camping in the backcountry there's a $5 fee for the permit. There are no fires allowed (winds can pick up fast and out of no where). Water is very scarce and nearest town/gas station is about an hour away, if not further. At night you'll be amazed at how many stars you can see! Coyotes come out too.

Erin D.

February 4, 2015

The campsites are very nice and have a generous amount of space for each site. They are also very well situated with good access to many of the trails in the park. One thing to be aware of is that this area gets very high winds. I took a group of 25 University students to the park for a spring break trip in February of 2013, and the first night we got winds that were sustained at about 50 MPH and gusting up to 70 MPH! All of our taller 5 person tents blew over, however all of our lower 3 and 4 person dome tents that had a lower profile and were closer to the ground made it through just fine with all of the guy lines staked and tied down. It also snowed on us the first night, so make sure you know what the weather is going to be like and be prepared, and definitely make sure you are prepared for the possibility of extremely high winds.

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Your guide to camping in Dog Canyon Campground

Overview

Hiking

Anyone who’s been to Guadalupe Mountains National Park can tell you that the stunning hiking trails are this park’s raison d’etre. Whether you carry a fanny pack or an 80-liter backpack, the Guadalupe Mountains are where you come for scenic, always changing, never ending hiking trails. 80 miles of trails will take you through desert landscapes, up to the “top of Texas,” and deep into canyons. The sheer variety of sights and landscapes make Guadalupe Mountains National Park a true paradise for any hiker. Challenging routes like the Guadalupe Peak Trail take you up 3,000 feet past exposed cliffs for some great views, while easier hikes like the Pinery Trail will teach you a thing or two about the unique vegetation of the Chihuahuan desert. There are plenty of options when it comes to trails, so check out this guide.

Horseback riding

About 60 percent of the trails at Guadalupe Mountains National Park are open to horseback riding. Considering how many trails this place has to offer, that’s a lot of options. There are no horses for hire, so you’ll have to bring your own horse. The park offers corrals at two locations, and nearby campsites and RV hookups make bringing your horse along a fairly simple affair. Reservations must be made ahead of time.

Wildlife watching

No matter what paths you wander down at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you’re guaranteed some great wildlife spotting along the way. A variety of birds fill the trees and desert vegetation, and mule deer and elk are also known to make appearances. Although not exactly wildlife, marine fossil reef from the Permain era draws geologists from all over the world to the Guadalupe Mountains, and it’s worth exploring. Texas may seem dry today, but 250 million years ago, it was all under water, and the proof is right under your feet at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.