Driving From Fort Worth To Guadalupe Mountains National Park (or From Dallas)

Our trip from Fort Worth to Guadalupe Mountains National Park took place in 2024 during Spring Break.
 
We planned the trip about a month before Spring Break, so we didn’t get a camping site in the park.

After searching around, we found Carlsbad RV Park & Campground in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which was the right choice for us.

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This last-minute plan reminded me of our Spring Break trip to Big Bend National Park several years ago. In a short time, we found a camping spot in Study Butte.

Are you planning to drive to Guadalupe from Fort Worth? Grab a piece of paper to take notes.

Of course, this guide also works well if you drive from Dallas to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Fort Worth to Guadalupe Mountains National Park Drive

On the day we left Fort Worth for the Guadalupe Mountains, we decided to set up our travel trailer at the RV Park in Carlsbad first. After that, we drove to the park.

The plan was to climb Guadalupe Peak the day after we arrived. To prepare ourselves, we wanted to see the drive between Carlsbad and the Guadalupe Mountains and talk with the Park Ranger in the Visitor Center.

So, this driving guide will take you straight to Carlsbad before Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Distance from Fort Worth to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

When you Google the drive to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, it will take you through I-20 W and turn to US Hwy 285 N, RM 652 W, and US-180W/US-62 W.

The distance is about 493 miles, and the driving time is around 7h 20 min. The destination is in a different time zone.

There are two other routes, and I chose the one that went through Snyder, Texas, and Carlsbad, New Mexico, where we camped for four days. It was 5 miles shorter but 10 minutes of driving time longer.

There was one roadside attraction that I wanted to see on that route while we went west.

Somehow, I missed this attraction on our way to Carlsbad Cavern National Park in Whites City, New Mexico, on our trip out southwest several years ago.

As mentioned above, we stopped at Carlsbad first to set up our travel trailer.

From where we stayed in Carlsbad to Guadalupe Peak Trailhead is around a 45-minute drive.

We weren’t in a hurry when driving to Carlsbad because the driving time was around 7 hours, and we gained one hour at the destination.

We left at 7.30 a.m., so we had time to relax at Carlsbad.
 
You choose to leave early for a relaxing time in the afternoon at the destination or late in the morning so you don’t have to wake up early.

Fort Worth to Guadalupe Mountains National Park by Car

Let’s check the best stops between DFW and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Right by the highway.

Sweetwater, Texas

It’s still on I-20 W, about 237 miles from Fort Worth. 

Sweetwater has a beautiful welcome sign. You must pay attention when you get closer to the city because you can only take it from the car.

The biggest rattlesnake round-up in the United States is in Sweetwater. It is held annually on the 2nd weekend in March.

Bluebonnets blanketed the sides of the highway when we drove through Sweetwater. I read about rattlesnakes that like to linger under the bluebonnet bushes. So, when we stopped for gas, I preferred to stay in the car. Lol. I told my son to be careful when taking our dog for a brief walk.

You will turn to US-84 at Sweetwater. It will take you to US-180 W.

You will see lots of wind turbines when turning to US-84. There’s a small town, Roscoe, and the largest wind farm in Texas is there. The Roscoe Wind Farm. It is why Sweetwater is sometimes called the “Wind Turbine Capital of Texas.”

Snyder, Texas

From US-84, turn west to US-180 W to Snyder.

Here is the stop I wanted to make: the Sinclair Old Gas Station.

It is at the corner of the streets on US-180 W/Bus 84 and 25th St. on the right-hand side.

It is a mandatory stop for pictures. 

A husband and wife on their motorcycle stopped here when we were about to leave.

Gail, Texas

After Snyder, we drove through a small town, Gail. I saw less than ten structures and thought I saw a Court House on the left. I thought, “A courthouse in the middle of nowhere? That’s interesting!”

We stopped at Gail on the way back.

The building I saw on the way out was a Court House. It is Borden County Courthouse. Next to it is an old jailhouse. Across the street is an old drugstore from 1904. All of these buildings came with a historical marker.

I found some interesting information on the markers. The county was named in honor of Gail Borden. He was a land surveyor, newspaper editor, and inventor of the process of condensing milk. He found condensed milk!

Now I know why there’s a milk brand called Borden.

You can choose to stop here before or after Guadalupe.  

There is a mesa a few miles west of Gail. Again, pay attention because you will take a picture from inside the moving car.

Lamesa, Texas

We stopped here for lunch and picked Texas Cajun Seafood & Steak because we saw local policemen walk into the restaurant for lunch.

They serve Italian, Chinese, Mexican, American, and Cajun foods. I ordered  Grilled Salmon, and my husband ordered Chicken Lo Mein. We thought the food was okay, but our son liked their Cheeseburger and fries.

Then, we stopped at Lamesa again for lunch on the way home. We had burgers from Rocky’s Burgers, and we didn’t disappoint.

Hobbs, New Mexico

You will see the city sign on the right-hand side of the road.

Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

After setting up our trailer, we drove to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 

The distance to the park is about 50.8 miles or 50 minutes driving time.

From the RV Park, we turned to the right and stayed on the highway until we got to the Guadalupe Mountains. Then, turned right onto the Pine Springs Visitor Center. 

The road was smooth and quite empty.

Unfortunately, the Visitor Center was closed when we arrived. We got there after their closing time, which was 4 p.m.

We hiked the Pinery Trail behind the Visitor Center. It is the only dog-friendly trail in the park.

Then, we drove to Guadalupe Peak Trailhead. The campground was full, and we saw an emergency vehicle by the trailhead. A male hiker hurt his leg, and the park sent the park rangers to help him. I saw the guy coming down with a crutch.

The way back to Carlsbad was also smooth. We didn’t see any vehicle on the road.

Two days later, the road was also good when we left early for our hike. 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park to Fort Worth

On the drive home, GPS took us the same way we came.

It was when we stopped at Gail and had lunch at Lamesa again. 

Note: I kept watching the weather forecast while we were there. My weather app said there would be a high wind the day we were supposed to hike. I asked the park ranger at the trailhead about it. She recommended we hike the day after because the wind on the top could be 10-20 miles faster. We were prepared for that and drove to Roswell on the day we planned to hike. Then, hike Guadalupe the day after. I suggest you plan for two days in Guadalupe Mountains NP.