Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Texas

Smith Spring Trail

2.3 mi loop · Smith Spring Trail Loop: 2.3 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 400 ft of climbing · 5,528 ft–5,916 ft · native surface · trail class Developed · hiking

Springs

5,545 ft 5,552 ft · 2.3 mi high 5,916 ft

Along the way Manzanita Spring Smith Spring

Trailhead Frijole Ranch Trailhead 5,537 ft Drive there

Smith Spring Trail Loop 2.3 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies

Start Trailhead

Water cascades down rocks in a forested setting.
Smith Spring Photo: NPS/Bieri

The Smith Spring Loop is paved from Frijole Ranch to Manzanita Spring. It then ascends along a maintained trail to the heavily vegetated Smith Spring. The trail offers dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, foothills, and desert landscape. The spring is a shady oasis of water up against the mountains.

Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) round-trip, loop

Elevation Change: 402 feet

Time Estimate: 1-2 hours

Difficulty: Easy - 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 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.