Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Texas

Frijole Ranch Trail

0.1 mi of trail, end to end · Manzanita Spring: 0.5 mi out and back in the Service's write-up · 5,526 ft–5,535 ft · trail class Developed · hiking

Picnic areas

5,535 ft 5,526 ft · 0.1 mi high 5,535 ft

Along the way Frijole Ranch Picnic Area

Trailhead Frijole Ranch Trailhead 5,537 ft Drive there

Manzanita Spring 0.5 mi out and back · the Park Service's write-up

20-30 Minutes · no dogs · entrance fee applies

A pool of water surrounded by vegetation and blue sky
Manzanita Spring Photo: Giraffeascope

The Manzanita Spring Trail is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) out and back trail that begins adjacent the Frijole Ranch. Manzanita Spring is a wide pool that provides excellent bird watching opportunities. Past this spring the Smith Spring Trail continues in a dirt surface.

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 To the Frijole Ranch buildings and the Manzanita Spring the trail is a paved surface. Trail surfaces past Manzanita Spring 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

Other trails from the Frijole Ranch Trailhead

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.