Dog Canyon Campground

Star4.22
359 reviews
400 Pine Canyon Drive, Salt Flat, TX 79847
Stargazing

Quick Facts

6,300 ft

Price

$20 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyWiFi

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
Dog Canyon Campground
$20.00 - $60.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Tent and RV sites are $20 per night, while group sites are $60 per night. Additional fees include a $10 service fee for modifications or...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$20.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$60.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(915) 828-3251GUMO_administration@nps.gov
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.22

Satisfactory

Based on 359 reviews

82 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanwater

"Reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, remote location, and peaceful atmosphere. Positive feedback includes the well-maintained facilities and scenic beauty, while complaints focus on cramped sites and the lack of cell service."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

400 Pine Canyon Drive, Salt Flat, TX 79847

Dog Canyon Campground

400 Pine Canyon Drive, Salt Flat, TX 79847

Driving directionsFrom Carlsbad NM to the Dog Canyon area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, take US Hwy 285 north to NM Hwy 137 and turn south. Travel (62 miles/100 km) to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dog Canyon entrance. From the Pine Springs Visitor Center to Dog Canyon, take US Hwy 62/180 east. Once you enter New Mexico, travel 25 miles (40 km) and turn left onto County Road 408 (Dark Canyon road). Travel approximately 23 miles (27 km) to the intersection with NM Hwy 137/Queen Hwy, turn left/south. Follow Queen Hwy 25 miles (40 km) to the Dog Canyon entrance. The drive time between Dog Canyon Campground and Pine Springs Campground is 2 hours. Use extreme caution on open rangeland as cattle are frequently on the roadway.
The road to Dog Canyon Campground is mostly paved but includes approximately 0.4 miles of gravel road. Open rangeland makes driving conditions challenging as cattle are frequently present on the roadways. The route is subject to flash flooding at low-water crossings during heavy rains.
Nearby places
Carlsbad, NM (70 miles, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes)
Queen, NM (6 miles, approximately 15 minutes)
Whites City, NM (approximately 70 miles, 1 hour and 45 minutes)
Pine Springs, TX (110 miles, approximately 2 hours).
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies are in Queen, NM (6 miles away), which has a small convenience store and café. Carlsbad, NM, has larger supply options, including fuel and groceries, approximately 70 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Dog Canyon Campground

While sharing similar daytime temperatures with nearby Pine Springs, Dog Canyon transforms into a naturally air-conditioned retreat each evening as cool mountain air settles into the protected canyon. The surrounding ridges and canyon walls create a natural windbreak, offering welcome relief from the fierce gusts that often sweep across the exposed peaks above. This unique microclimate makes for comfortable camping conditions and peaceful nights under the stars.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Summer can exceed 80°F by day, but canyon provides cool evenings and shade.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Peak season (Sep-Nov) with comfortable temps and scenic foliage; highly recommended.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Peak season (Mar-May) with wildflowers, mild temps and excellent hiking conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open year-round but nights drop below freezing; rare snow can occur—less comfortable for many.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak seasons are March-May and September-November.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round.
  • Current Alerts: Guadalupe Mountains National Park is under a 'High Fire Danger Rating.' Smoking is confined to inside vehicles, and no open fires are permitted.

About Dog Canyon Campground

Tucked away on the remote north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dog Canyon Campground offers an intimate escape into one of Texas's best-kept secrets. This peaceful sanctuary features just 13 thoughtfully spaced campsites nestled among towering trees, where tent campers and RV travelers alike can disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature. Here, the Milky Way blazes across unpolluted skies, wildlife roams freely through camp, and some of the park's most spectacular hiking trails begin right at your doorstep.
Dog Canyon Campground offers tent sites, RV sites, and a group site. "RV sites are gravel and tightly packed," noted one user.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in available from 12:00 PM.
Check-out
Check-out required by 12:00 PM.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Potable water
WiFi
Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Dog Canyon Campground offers hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and star gazing among other activities. Popular trails include Lost Peak and Marcus Overlook. "The Tejas Trail is the main thoroughfare and offers gentle inclines," one reviewer stated, while others noted mule deer and wild turkeys frequently roam the area.
HikingSeveral trails including Lost Peak (6.4 miles round trip, strenuous, 1500’ elevation gain) and Marcus Overlook (4.5 miles round trip, moderate, 800' elevation gain) are accessible from the campground. The Indian Meadow Nature Trail is a short, easy loop.
Wildlife viewingTypical wildlife includes mule deer, wild turkeys, and a variety of birds like western scrub jays and acorn woodpeckers.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include slippery roads during wet weather, wildlife encounters (deer and turkeys), and limited emergency communication due to no cell service.
Active AlertsGuadalupe Mountains National Park is under a 'High Fire Danger Rating.' Smoking is confined to inside vehicles, and no open fires are permitted.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Dog Canyon Campground

Reviews

4.2
359 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Dog Canyon Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, remote location, and peaceful atmosphere. Positive feedback includes the well-maintained facilities and scenic beauty, while complaints focus on cramped sites and the lack of cell service.
Review Summaries
Based on 359 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praised the cleanliness of the bathrooms, availability of potable water, and serene environment. "Bathrooms were clean and had heaters," one user stated. Wildlife sightings such as mule deer...
Show more
Based on 359 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include sites being too close together and lack of privacy. "The tent pads at campsites #3 and #4 are less than fifteen feet apart," noted one reviewer. Other complaints involve the...
Show more
Based on 359 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing all supplies due to the remote location and visiting Sitting Bull Falls en route. "Fill up on gas and get all provisions you need," wrote one reviewer. Sites 5 and 6 are...
Show more
Based on 359 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak seasons are March-May and September-November. Summer temperatures can exceed 80°F, while winter nights drop below freezing. Snowfall is rare but can occur.
Based on 359 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bathrooms were clean, with almost no bugs or spiders." "The campground is small and peaceful. Turkeys and deer are frequent visitors." "No cell service, but Wi-Fi worked at the ranger station."
Based on 359 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 5 and 6 are recommended for privacy and shade. "Site 8 has a beautiful view of the canyon side," one camper noted. Sites 1 and 2 are near the bathroom and less private.
Based on 359 reviews

Accessibility Features

A handicap-accessible tent site is available, located 50 feet from restrooms and parking with a raised tent pad.
Based on 359 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are permitted but must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on trails. "Pets causing a disturbance may be asked to leave, no refunds of fees."
Based on 359 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Dog Canyon Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated February 17, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Texas

Campgrounds
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Dog Canyon Campground