The 9-Mile Trail in Texas’s Guadalupe Mountains National Park Is Worth the Climb

There is no shortage of Texas hiking trails offering breathtaking views, but only the Permian Reef Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park takes you into another state and showcases ancient fossils. This 9-mile trail is challenging, with an elevation gain of over 2,300 feet, but the reward at the end is well worth the effort. Travel back to a land before time as you admire sweeping mountain vistas and the last remnants of the ocean that once covered the now arid West Texas landscape. 

When it comes to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the Guadalupe Peak Trail gets all the attention. I know it's the highest point in Texas, but many other great trails in the park often go unnoticed. The Permian Reef Trail is the definition of an underdog because it combines ancient history, breathtaking views, and just the right amount of difficulty to make you feel accomplished.

The trail is located in McKittrick Canyon, a riparian oasis with some of the richest biodiversity in all of Texas. While the canyon is best known for its brilliant fall colors, it remains beautiful year-round, with towering canyon walls and a variety of desert plants, including prickly pear cacti. The terrain is steep and rocky, but the trail is well-marked and well-maintained.

You'll climb up the rugged mountainside for several miles until reaching the highest point of the trail, where the barren, dusty landscape transforms into a lush pine forest. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and valley below before continuing. The trail keeps going all the way to the Texas-New Mexico state line, where you'll find a guestbook inside a metal box. (Does anyone else love guestbooks on trails as much as I do? They're like time capsules for hikers, and I'm here for it.) Sign the book as proof of your accomplishment, and take a photo to cherish the memory forever.

The trail is out-and-back, so you'll retrace your steps, leave the way you came, and take advantage of another opportunity to appreciate the postcard-worthy scenery. Don't forget to look down occasionally, too—the ground is riddled with fossils, the only remaining evidence of the ancient lifeforms that once called this area home.

To access the Permian Reef Trail from the park entrance, head northeast on US 62 for seven miles until you see McKittrick Road. You can park at the visitor center, located approximately three miles up the road. The trailhead is just to the right of the building.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Permian Reef Trail, including current trail conditions and updates. Hiking in a place as remote as the Guadalupe Mountains always comes with risks, including loss of cell service. That's where AllTrails+ comes in handy—the app features offline map access, so you never have to worry about getting lost.

Have you ever hiked this hidden gem trail? What are your favorite Texas hiking trails worth the challenge?

Plan your own trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.