Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas will transition to a cashless payment system for entrance fees and campground stays beginning Monday, Nov. 25. Visitors can purchase digital site passes, obtain backcountry permits, and secure campground reservations through recreation.gov.
The transition aligns with the National Park Service’s broader efforts to modernize payment systems and improve operational efficiency. The Pine Springs Visitor Center Park store will continue accepting both cash and card payments for merchandise, ensuring flexibility for on-site purchases.
Theresa Moore, the park’s chief of interpretation, highlighted the importance of the change, emphasizing its benefits for both visitors and staff. “Entrance fees are an important source of revenue national parks use to improve the visitor experience,” Moore said.
“Going cashless reduces the amount of time park staff spend handling cash and improves accountability while also reducing risk. Furthermore, moving to a cashless system helps the park manage visitor dollars more effectively,” she said, as reported by KTSM.
Fees collected will continue to support essential park operations, including road and facility repairs, trail improvements, accessibility enhancements, and visitor protection services, according to the park’s announcement. These funds are critical for maintaining and enhancing the overall visitor experience while preserving the park’s resources.
Camping in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
According to its website, Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers three year-round developed campgrounds suitable for tent or vehicle camping, including one designated exclusively for groups with horses.
Campers can reserve sites at Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds up to six months in advance through recreation.gov.
Located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center off U.S. Highway 62/180, Pine Springs Campground offers a desert camping experience at the base of Guadalupe Peak. Tent campers can choose from 20 leveled, gravel walk-in sites shaded by junipers and oaks, each equipped with a picnic table.
The campground includes accessible flush-toilet restrooms, potable water for bottles and hydration packs, and a utility sink, but does not offer showers. The RV camping area consists of 13 paved parking sites for vehicles under 55 feet, with no hookups or dump stations available. RV campsite #21 is wheelchair accessible.
Dog Canyon Campground, located in a cooler, forested canyon on the park’s remote north side, also provides a tranquil escape. It features 9 tent sites and 4 RV sites (maximum length 23 feet) with flush toilets and sinks, though no showers or hookups.
Meanwhile, the Frijole Horse Corral Campground, situated near Frijole Ranch Road, caters to group campers and equestrian visitors with corrals, tent pads, a pit toilet, and trailer parking, offering a more rustic experience just a mile from Pine Springs.
