Dog Canyon Campground
Dog Canyon is a 70-mile (113 km) drive from the nearest town of Carlsbad, New Mexico and is 110 miles (177 km) from the Pine Spring Visitor Center & Campground (a 2 hour drive time). Before booking a reservation: It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite. Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival. Refunds are not provided by the park. Dog Canyon Campground lies in the secluded, forested canyon on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park at an elevation of 6,300 feet (1920 m). It is located at the end of NM Hwy.
More like this: reservable in Texas · pets allowed in Texas · group sites in Texas
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 9 |
| RV, no hookups | 4 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 23 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
14 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RV-A | RV Area | RV | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | |
| RV-B | RV Area | RV | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | |
| RV-C | RV Area | RV | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | |
| RV-D | RV Area | RV | Back-in | 19 | Gravel | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | |
| 1 | Tent Area | Tent only | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | ||||
| 2 | Tent Area | Tent only | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | ||||
| 3 | Tent Area | Tent only | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | ||||
| 4 | Tent Area | Tent only | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | ||||
| 5 | Tent Area | Tent only | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic | ||||
| 6 | Tent Area | Tent only | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | No | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 23 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Guadalupe Mountains National Park group campsite fees are $60.00 per night. Group site occupancy requires a minimum of 10 persons and is limited to a maximum of 20 persons per site. Groups larger than 20 persons are required to obtain a Special Use Permit 3 weeks prior to your visit. |
| Accessibility | Site 7 is listed accessible |
- The campground features 13 sites total with 9 tent, 4 RV sites and 1 group site available by reservation.
- Campsite occupancy is limited to 6 persons or 2 tents, per site. The group site allows 10 -20 persons.
- No open fires (this includes portable propane fire rings and charcoal) are permitted anywhere in the park. Only cooking stoves or lanterns using containerized fuel are permitted.
- Tent sites are hike-in only (61 to 178 feet/19 to 54 m from parking) and cannot accommodate RV parking. Each site offers a tent pad and picnic table.
- RV sites are gravel with picnic tables.
- No shower facilities, hookups or dump stations.
- Dog Canyon is remote. Fuel your vehicle and purchase supplies before heading to the park.
- The use of weight-bearing hammocks, slacklines, tarps or similar devices tied to natural and/or manmade features is prohibited. This regulation is intended to protect the landscape and environment in the park, as these devices may cause damage to trees and other features and encourage camping out of bounds and off designated camping pads. Incidental and temporary lines for clothes drying or Wilder
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Carlsbad NM to the Dog Canyon area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, take US Hwy 285 north to NM Hwy 137 and turn south. Travel (62 miles/100 km) to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dog Canyon entrance. From the Pine Springs Visitor Center to Dog Canyon, take US Hwy 62/180 east.
| Nearest town | Salt Flat, Texas |
| Coordinates | 31.9949° N, 104.8328° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.
- If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov.
- Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Carlsbad RV Center ↗ | 43.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Joe's Boot Shop ↗ | 45.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Dog Canyon Campground Tour | Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 2022
Worth a stop
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs. Lincoln National Forest: The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road access is through New Mexico, north of White’s City, via Dark Canyon Road to nm sr 137 through Queen (also the way to the national park’s Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon. Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park: Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest.
- 4.9 miMckittrick Canyon Contact Station ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 2.3 miNorth McKitrick Canyon ↗4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miCamp Wilderness Ridge1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miDevil'S Den0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miIndian0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness.
- inGuadalupe Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 46,850 acres
- 13.8 miCarlsbad Caverns Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 33,125 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Wallace Pratt LodgeBuilding · Gaudalupe Mountain National Park · 3.1 mi
- Guadalupe RanchBuilding · Salt Flat · 6.3 mi
- Pinery StationSite · Gaudalupe Mountain National Park · 7 mi
Natural features
- The Dog Canyon Campground is in an area with wooded drainages, meadows, and grassy hillsides and sparsely vegetated outcrops. Large alligator junipers, oaks, maples, madrones, piñon and ponderosa pine are in and near the campground. Shrubs include ceanothus, sumacs, mahonia, and mountain mahogany. Desert-adapted plants include a variety of prickly pear cactus, agave, and chollas. Western scrub jay
- Algerita ridge casts morning shade, and cool mountain air settles in the canyon bottom nightly. Daytime highs are similar to the Pine Springs area, but nighttime lows can be much cooler. Views of the night sky are pristine.
- During the Permian Period, shallow marine water that was behind the Capitan Reef, created a series of layers of limestone and sandstone. Faulting and subsequent erosion created the canyon. Nearby topographic features include Lost Peak, Blue Ridge, West Dog Canyon, and the Brokeoff and Cutoff Mountains.
Recreation
- Trails from Dog Canyon offer good access, with relatively easy grades, to the high country of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
- The hike to Lost Peak is 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round-trip, is considered strenuos and has 1500’ (457 m) elevation gain.
- The hike to Marcus Overlook is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round-trip, is considered moderate with an 800' (244 km) elevation gain.
- The Indian Meadow Nature Trail near the campground is 0.6 miles (1 km) and winds around a grassy area surrounded by a mix of broadleaved evergreens, deciduous trees and pines.
Guidebooks for Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Texas
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Hiking Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National ParksBill Schneider, 2023Find at Bookshop.org
- Best Easy Day Hikes Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National ParksStewart M. Green, 2018Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Dog Canyon Campground?
Sites at Dog Canyon Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Dog Canyon Campground?
Guadalupe Mountains National Park group campsite fees are $60.00 per night. Group site occupancy requires a minimum of 10 persons and is limited to a maximum of 20 persons per site. Groups larger than 20 persons are required to obtain a Special Use Permit 3 weeks prior to your visit.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dog Canyon Campground?
Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Dog Canyon Campground?
Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Dog Canyon Campground have?
14 sites, including 9 tent-only sites, 4 RV sites without hookups, and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Dog Canyon Campground?
The longest site here provides 23 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Dog Canyon Campground?
No shower facilities, hookups or dump stations.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Dog Canyon Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dog Canyon Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Dog Canyon Campground?
Site 7 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Dog Canyon Campground?
Trails from Dog Canyon offer good access, with relatively easy grades, to the high country of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Dog Canyon Campground?
Salt Flat, Texas. Carlsbad Caverns National Park: In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive.
Source: Getting there
What if Dog Canyon Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tejas Wilderness Campground (4.1 mi, first-come), Frijole Horse Corral Campground (6.9 mi), and Pine Springs Campground (6.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby