McKittrick Canyon — Local services in Carlsbad

McKittrick Canyon is a gorgeous trail to hike especially in Autumn! There are several trails in the Guadalupe Mountain National Park, but this one is my favorite so far.

I highly recommend checking in at the visitor's center nearby where they have information about the trails including their fascinating history. They also have a gift shop, restrooms, and a small museum about the plants and wildlife in the area.

This trail is not very strenuous and should be accessible to most hikers regardless of experience level. A couple bits of advice. First, make sure you bring plenty of water. Too many people fail to realize how much fluid they're sweating out due to the arid climate in this area of the U.S. Second, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to make it back to the parking lot before the posted closing time. The rangers lock the gates regardless of whether or not vehicles are still in the parking lot. The cellphone reception here is limited at best so you could find yourself unexpectedly spending the night if you don't exit before the gates are locked.

There's an unexpected variety of trees and other plants asking the trail. I was pleasantly surprised at the fall foliage when I hiked McKittrick Canyon. Judging by the surrounding desert landscape, you would never guess the lush beauty nestled inside McKittrick Canyon until you see it...

McKittrick Canyon is a fairly easy hike. The hardest part is at the beginning of the hike and that isn’t very hard. You will cross many creeks, some that are dry and some that have water. The ones with water are pretty easy to traverse they only have a few inches of water. The terrain changes from desert like to very bushy with all kinds of trees, some deciduous and some evergreens. The canyon during autumn is beautiful because you will see the leaves changing colors. About 2 1/2 miles into the hike you will come across an abandoned cabin that was built in the late 1800s. Makes you wonder how they were able to take supplies to build it, especially way back then. If you peek into the window you can see how it’s furnished, and it gives you that nostalgic feeling.

We usually have a little picnic when we get to the cabin and then we decide if we are going to keep going to the grotto or will we turn back.

I highly recommend this hike for the whole family as it is very easy and fun. Just remember that they close early and no...

Guadalupe National Park steals my heart yet again! This trail was a beauty to hike. Peaceful,serene. Gorgeous fall colors (went in early November). It was a little chilly and windy to start but warmed up as the day went on. I hiked to Pratt Cabin then went as far as the Grotto. I wanted to keep going but had to get back to El Paso so time was limited. It was a fairly easy hike. Most challenging was approaching the Grotto (I use the term "challenging" loosely). It is all very doable. I saw kids along the trail. I loved how quiet it was but was nice to see others on the trail once in a while. Found some surprises along the way....aka had to actually cross through water! Most of the creeks we're dry. One was not. It was shallow but still got my boots wet. Honestly the scenery was so beautiful i was not even upset. It was a perfect day. I definitely plan to go back. So much beautify to explore...