Guadalupe Mountains are the most stunning and beautiful mountains in Texas. The mountains include the tallest peak in Texas and offer striking natural beauty, winding trails through serene alpine forests, captivating local history, and the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Chihuahuan Desert, featuring dramatic cliffs, rugged canyons, and unique rock formations like the El Capitan mountain. Despite being in a desert environment, the park supports a surprising diversity of life. You will find a mix of desert, mountain, and forest ecosystems, providing habitat for a wide range of species. Over 300 species of birds, such as peregrine falcons and golden eagles, can be seen, as well as many types of mammals, including mountain lions, mule deer and elk and reptiles. The mountains offer some of the best and most remote hiking in the country and is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making it a perfect location for observing the night sky. The combination of rugged beauty and seclusion allows visitors to truly experience nature at its rawest, whether it’s the stillness of the desert or the dramatic beauty of the mountains.