Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [243]
the higher elevations or along the highway in winter. Other mammals include raccoons, striped and hog-nosed skunks, gray foxes, coyotes, gray-footed chipmunks, Texas antelope squirrels, black-tailed jackrabbits, and desert cottontails. Black bears and mountain lions are also known to live in the park but are seldom seen.
About two dozen varieties of snakes make their home in the park, including five species of rattlesnakes. There are also numerous lizards, which are usually seen in the mornings and early evenings. These include the collared, crevice spiny, tree, side-blotched, Texas horned, mountain short-horned, and Chihuahuan spotted whiptail. The most commonly seen is the prairie lizard, which is identified by the light-colored stripes down its back.
More than 200 species of birds spend time in the park, including peregrine falcons, golden eagles, turkey vultures, and wild turkeys. You are also likely to encounter rock wrens, canyon wrens, black-throated sparrows, common nighthawks, mourning doves, rufous-crowned sparrows, mountain chickadees, ladder-backed woodpeckers, solitary vireos, and western scrub jays.
Camping
INSIDE THE PARK
Two developed vehicle-accessible campgrounds are in the park. Pine Springs Campground is near the visitor center and park headquarters just off U.S. 62/180. There are 19 spaces for RVs, 20 very attractive tent sites, and 2 group campsites. There is usually a campground host on duty. About half a mile inside the north boundary of the park is Dog Canyon Campground, accessible from N. Mex. 137. Here there are 9 tent sites and 4 RV sites. Although reservations are not accepted, you can call ahead to check on availability of sites (☎ 915/828-3251). Camp stoves are allowed, but wood and charcoal fires are prohibited.
The park also has 10 designated backcountry campgrounds, with 5 to 8 sites each. Be sure to pick up free permits at the Pine Springs Visitor Center or Dog Canyon Ranger Station the day of or the day before your backpacking trip. No drinking water is available in the backcountry, and all trash, including toilet paper, must be packed out. Fires are strictly prohibited; use cookstoves only. You may camp only in designated campgrounds.
NEAR THE PARK
The closest commercial campgrounds are across the state line in New Mexico, at White's City RV Park in White's City, and Carlsbad RV Park & Campground and Brantley Lake State Park in Carlsbad. For information on these campgrounds, see "Camping" in chapter 10, "Carlsbad Caverns National Park."
Where to Stay
There are no accommodations within the park. The nearest are 35 miles northeast at White's City, New Mexico, and 55 miles northeast in Carlsbad, New Mexico. For information, see "Where to Stay" in chapter 10.
Where to Dine
There are no restaurants within the park. Aside from a sporadically open diner about 5 miles northeast of the park visitor center on U.S. 62/180, the closest dining possibilities are in White's City, New Mexico, 35 miles from the park, and in Carlsbad, New Mexico, 55 miles from the park. See "Where to Dine" in chapter 10.
Picnic & Camping Supplies
The closest grocery store to the national park is the convenience store at the gas station in the White's City complex, at the intersection of U.S. 62/180 and N. Mex. 7, about 35 miles from the visitor center. You'll find a good variety of stores in the city of Carlsbad, including an Albertson's grocery store, 808 N. Canal St., at West Church Street (☎ 505/885-2161), which has a well-stocked deli and bakery.
Nearby Attractions
Many visitors to Guadalupe Mountains also spend time at nearby Carlsbad Caverns National