Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Texas

Bush Mountain Trail

12 mi of trail, end to end · Marcus Overlook: 5.2 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 2,300 ft of climbing · 4,000 ft of descent · 6,218 ft–8,614 ft · native surface · trail class Developed, Moderately Developed · hiking, horse

PeaksCampgrounds

8,120 ft 6,219 ft · 3.6 mi high 8,120 ft

Along the way Marcus Campground Pine Top Campground Bush Mountain

Marcus Overlook 5.2 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

3-5 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies · Winter, Spring, Fall · season Even with the higher elevations on the northern part of the park, summer temperatures may make this hike unsafe or at the very least unpleasant. Expect high winds (in excess of 30MPH from November through March). This route on the northern portion of the Bush Mountain Trail has little to no shade.

Start Begin at the Dog Canyon Trailhead

From a high point, a desert grasslands stretches into the distance with ridges in the background.
Looking west from the Marcus Overlook Photo: NPS Photo

Hiking the Bush Mountain Trail from Dog Canyon out to the Marcus Overlook and back makes an excellent and usually solitary day hike in the Guadalupe Mountains. From the Marcus Overlook, there are commanding views south into the Guadalupe Mountains and westward.

Distance: 5.2 miles (8.4 km) round-trip, out and back

Elevation Change: 825 feet

Time Estimate: 3-5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Pets disturb wildlife and are not allowed on trails. Your pets should remain at home as opportunities for pets are very limited in the park.

Accessibility Trail surfaces are loose rock or hardened rock surfaces. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. Trail widths vary from two to six feet depending on the trail. Parking All trailhead areas have accessible parking available. Service animals Only service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed in the park and on trails.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 43 trails in Guadalupe Mountains National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.