Guadalupe Mountains in February: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 73/100 · #7 of 12 months
February is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park: crowds run 46% of the March peak (16,306 average visits). Weather: highs average 56°F and lows 34°F, with 0.7″ of precipitation and 11.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Guadalupe Mountains in February
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 34°F.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
- Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
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Guadalupe Mountains in February: what the park service says
February at Guadalupe Mountains is still windy season, which the park service puts at November through March: gusts above 30 mph are frequent, and on exposed ridges they can reach 50 to 80 mph. Snow and ice can hang on at the high elevations all winter even after the coldest months, December and January, have passed. Check the wind forecast before the Guadalupe Peak hike and carry traction for icy stretches.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in February
Guadalupe Mountains averages 16,306 recreation visits in February — 46% of what March, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.
Weather & daylight
Daytime stays cool (highs average 56°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 34°F). It is typically dry (0.7″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 11.1 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station PINE SPRINGS, TX US (4 mi from park coordinates, 5,591 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of February.
What to pack for Guadalupe Mountains in February
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Guadalupe Mountains are May and August.
Also at their best in February
Other parks whose computed February verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Zion in February — 25% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 80/100
- Shenandoah in February — 9% of peak crowds, highs 47°F, score 77/100
- Capitol Reef in February — 10% of peak crowds, highs 47°F, score 76/100
- Carlsbad Caverns in February — 39% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 76/100
Common questions
Is Guadalupe Mountains crowded in February?
Moderately: February runs 46% of the March peak, averaging 16,306 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Guadalupe Mountains.
What is the weather like in Guadalupe Mountains in February?
Average highs of 56°F, lows of 34°F, 0.7″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, PINE SPRINGS, TX US station). Compare it with other national parks in February.
What should I pack for Guadalupe Mountains in February?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in March instead? Guadalupe Mountains in March has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in February · Last verified 2026-09-24