Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Texas

Indian Meadows Nature Loop

0.7 mi of trail, end to end · Indian Meadow Nature Trail: 0.6 mi loop in the Service's write-up · about 80 ft of climbing · 6,218 ft–6,299 ft · native surface · trail class Developed · hiking

CampgroundsPicnic areas

6,242 ft 6,247 ft · 0.6 mi high 6,299 ft

Along the way Dog Canyon Campground Dog Canyon Picnic Area

Trailhead Indian Meadow Nature Trail 6,261 ft Drive there

Indian Meadow Nature Trail 0.6 mi loop · the Park Service's write-up

30-45 Minutes · no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Indian Meadow Nature Trail

A gravel trail cuts through a grassy meadow with a tall desert mountain cliff rising behind.
The Indian Meadow Nature Trail circles a meadow at Dog Canyon. Photo: NPS/Bieri

Named for the once abundant black-tailed prairie dog, Dog Canyon is home to a surprising variety of plant and animal species and was a traditional occupation site for the Mescalaro Apache. The Indian Meadow Nature Trail is an easy 0.6 mile loop that begins across the road from the ranger station and next to the group campsite, offering good views of the landscape. At a leisurely pace it takes 30-45 minutes. The trail is rated easy as it remains almost level after crossing an arroyo.

Wildlife is abundant due to the variety of habitat types found here: arid grassland, juniper-oak woodlands, pine forest, and riparian (streamside) areas of maples and oaks.

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.