Did you know that Texas is home to several mountain ranges? While most of our state is relatively flat or hilly, West Texas is home to several mountain ranges in the vast desert. The Guadalupe Mountains are beautiful and awe-inspiring, and host the highest peak in Texas! This National Park is a great way to spend time in the outdoors with your family. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly trails in the Guadalupe Mountains!
Smith Spring and Manzanita Spring Loop
This 2.4 mile loop is a great hike for families, offering mountain views without climbing all the way to the top. While parts of the trail are a little steep, this is still an excellent trail for elementary-aged kids.
The Pinery
This one mile trail is mostly flat and great for kids. This trail offers great views of native plants and wildlife, and is great for an easy stroll. This path also offers views of the surrounding mountains, and is an easy hike you won’t want to miss.
Devil’s Hall Trail
This 4.2 mile trail is great for kids who are up for a bit of an adventure. This trail spends the majority of its time in a dry riverbed that goes between canyon walls. There are some really cool sights along this trail, such as the Hiker’s Staircase; a natural staircase made from limestone rock formations. This is a great trail for exploring and adventuring with curious kids!
If your kids are more experienced hikers, you may also want to spend a day on the Guadalupe Peak trail, and experience the highest point in our state! This park also offers various camping solutions, from tents to RVs, and more. No matter what you choose, spending time in nature with your kids is something they’ll never forget. Teaching our kids about the outdoors and protecting our planet is one of the most important lessons we can teach them in a developed society. What better place to do that than the Guadalupe mountains!
Happy Trails!