Has anyone visited this park? What are your thoughts about visiting in mid May? Suggestions on things to do? We are not campers. Where did you stay outside the park? Any suggestions are appreciated.

I have it is ok May is good not too hot.

Carlsbad Caverns and www.visitbigbend.com

were far more memorable for me in that

general area...

Hampton Inn in Carlsbad was nice for me bout an hour away.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a stunning natural beauty and worth visiting. It can be visited any time of the year. You can check the link http://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/index.htm for the various details for planning your trip.

Do see Carlsbad while you are there(which is very close). Watch the bats enter at dawn and leave in the evening. Do a wild cave tour. Spider Cave(just a name no spiders) and Hall of the White Giants is great.

I haven't been to GNP, but I too going 2nd week of June. I have stayed at Whites City, which is the closest accomadations to either park. It is probably the worst place that I have ever stayed. So bad, that I am taking a tent this time and just going to tent camp.

Have been to the Caverns but, may stay in Carlsbad.

This is just first stop on this trip as we are making our way to Joshua Tree, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Devils Postpile, Creaters of the Moon, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons before heading home through Denver where we will be spending a week or so.

I am just now planning the time needed, lodging, etc. We do not camp so we are looking for hotel and/or B&B suggestions also.

Between Guadalupe Mountains and Joshua Tree we will spend a day or two in Phoenix and while at Joshua Tree will may spend a day in Palm Springs.

We have been talking about this trip for several years and each time we start talking about it the trip gets longer.

Thanks for the help and keep your thoughts coming.

Yosemite and Yellowstone are my two favorite parks that I have seen(been to 25 of them). We did Sequoia in the winter and it was great with snow, but would like to do it again in the summer. I have been to everywhere you mention except Devils Postpile. You'll have a blast.

Whites City is right near the entrance of Carlsbad National Park. The town of Carlsbad is about 30 minutes or so. I am going with my 12 year old Nephew and we plan on just tent camping. This will be my 4th trip to Carlsbad, but never have been to Guadalupe. It looks like it is visited very little and some good hiking there. I have never really done in backpacking, but that looks good there. I am just not sure if a 12 year old could carry much, so I don't think I'll try that.

I would love to be able to take a month or two and do exactly what you are doing. I have the financial means, just not the time. Seems like everyone can find time or money, but seldom both of those at the same time. Have Fun!!

My sister (a dyed-in-the-wool yankee) has hiked all over the West/Southwest. Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Nevada, Wyoming.

Two years ago, she decided on the Guadalupe Mountains for their family vacation. She could not find enough words in the thesaurus to describe it. It is her new favorite place. She said it was the most beautiful scenery they've ever seen and they cannot wait to return.

Happy trails!

Sounds like a great trip. If you don't already have a National Parks pass, it would be worth it to get one at your first NP. They are $10 for senior US citizens, good for a lifetime and $80 for everyone else and good for a year.

While you are in Colorado, do visit Rocky Mt. NP. It is fantastic also.