When we planned our trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, we made it part of an easy national parks road trip through West Texas and New Mexico. We flew into El Paso and visited White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It was a great way to see three completely different landscapes in one trip without spending all of our time driving.
At Guadalupe Mountains, we decided to hike Devil’s Hall, one of the park’s most interesting trails.
From photos, I had pictured a dramatic slot canyon hike with towering rock walls surrounding us for much of the trail. The reality was a little different, but still incredibly beautiful.
Most of the hike follows a rocky wash through a rugged desert landscape before reaching a natural rock staircase and, eventually, the narrow walls of Devil’s Hall itself. The canyon section is much shorter than I expected, but the unusual route getting there made this one of the more memorable hikes we did on our trip.
If you’re planning to hike Devil’s Hall in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, here’s what to expect, how difficult the trail really is, what to bring, and why you need to pay close attention to the wind and weather.
Devil’s Hall Trail at a Glance
The Devil’s Hall route begins at the Pine Springs Trailhead and is approximately 4.2 miles round trip, with about 548 feet of elevation change. The National Park Service recommends allowing three to five hours and rates the route strenuous because of the scrambling, boulders, loose rocks, and uneven terrain.
Distance: 4.2 miles round trip
Elevation change: About 548 feet
Time: 3–5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trailhead: Pine Springs
Route: Out and back
Best for: Hikers comfortable with loose rocks, uneven terrain, and some scrambling
The distance and elevation change can be a little misleading. On paper, 4.2 miles with around 550 feet of elevation change doesn’t sound particularly difficult, but elevation isn’t really the challenge on the Devil’s Hall hike. It’s the terrain. Once you enter the wash, expect rocks. Lots and lots of rocks.
👉 Check out my Amazon Hiking Favorites here
What Hiking Devil’s Hall Is Really Like
The beginning of the hike travels through the dry, desert-like landscape that you would probably expect to find in West Texas. There isn’t a lot of shade, so even though we visited in March and had pretty nice weather, it still started to feel hot while we were hiking.
One thing that surprised me, though, was how much vegetation we could see.
As you’re walking along the rocky riverbed, remember to look up. We could see pine trees and other types of trees growing higher along the slopes above us. It created a really interesting contrast between the dry, rocky wash beneath our feet and the greener mountainsides overhead.
Much of the hike to Devil’s Hall follows a rocky wash through the Guadalupe Mountains.
The wash is also where navigation can get a little confusing.
There were a few places where it wasn’t completely obvious to us where the route continued. I definitely recommend downloading the AllTrails map before starting the hike so you can check your location if you’re unsure about where to go.
Don’t assume you’ll have reliable cell service. Download the map so you can access it offline. It also helped us to remember that we were essentially following the river bed uphill toward Devil’s Hall. On the return trip, you’re heading back down the river wash toward the trailhead.
I wouldn’t rely on that as your only form of navigation, though. Pay attention to your surroundings on the way in, carry an offline map, and keep track of the route as you hike.
Check out the rock formations along the route, there are many different types that are interesting to look at.
Just as the heat was starting to feel a little too intense, we came across a small shady cave that gave us the perfect place to cool off. The walls immediately caught my attention, the rocks looked almost like they had been glued together, with hundreds of smaller stones packed into the surface.
The Natural Staircase Might Be the Coolest Part
Eventually, we reached what ended up being one of my favorite parts of the Devil’s Hall hike: the natural staircase.
Before you reach Devil’s Hall itself, you have to climb up a series of natural rock ledges that look surprisingly like a staircase.
The natural staircase is one of the coolest geological features along the Devil’s Hall hike. This was such a cool feature of the trail because it almost looked man-made. The shape of the rock and the way the ledges form steps seemed almost too perfect to have occurred naturally.
You’ll need to do a little scrambling to get up this section, so having shoes with good traction is important. I also liked having my hands free rather than trying to carry anything while climbing. I had to secure my camera in my backpack.
After making your way up the staircase, you continue farther until you finally reach Devil’s Hall.
What Devil’s Hall Actually Looks Like
Devil’s Hall itself was stunning, but I will say that it wasn’t exactly what I had pictured before doing the hike.
Based on the photos I had seen, I somehow got the impression that a large portion of the hike would take us through something resembling a slot canyon.
It doesn’t.
The narrow section with the really high walls is actually pretty short.
The towering rock walls inside Devil’s Hall are even more dramatic when you’re standing beneath them.
I was a little surprised by how quickly we walked through it. But even though Devil’s Hall is shorter than I imagined, the walls are incredibly high and impressive.
After spending most of the hike walking through the wider, exposed riverbed, suddenly stepping between these tall walls feels completely different.
I think knowing this beforehand helps set the right expectations for the hike. Don’t hike Devil’s Hall expecting several miles of slot canyon.
Instead, think of Devil’s Hall as the destination at the end of a rugged hike through a rocky wash. The journey, including the natural staircase and scrambling, is a huge part of what makes this trail interesting.
How Difficult Is the Devil’s Hall Hike?
The National Park Service rates the Devil’s Hall route as strenuous, even though it’s only about 4.2 miles round trip and doesn’t have a huge amount of elevation change.
The rocky terrain is what makes it harder.
Once you’re in the wash, you’re constantly paying attention to where you’re putting your feet. You’ll encounter loose rocks, larger boulders, uneven surfaces, and areas where you may need to use your hands.
If you’re accustomed to hiking on smooth dirt trails, 4.2 miles here can feel considerably more tiring than the same distance on a maintained trail.
I wouldn’t decide whether to do this hike based only on the mileage. Instead, consider whether you’re comfortable walking over rocks, maintaining your balance on uneven surfaces, and doing some scrambling.
Good hiking shoes make a big difference.
What to Bring Hiking Devil’s Hall
Devil’s Hall isn’t an especially long hike, but the desert environment and rocky terrain mean you should still come prepared.
Here are a few things I recommend bringing:
- Plenty of water: There isn’t a lot of shade, and even during our March visit, it started to feel hot in exposed areas.
- Hiking shoes or boots with good traction: You’ll spend a lot of time walking across rocks and scrambling.
- Offline trail map: We found the route a little confusing in places, so I definitely recommend downloading your map before you leave.
- Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Layers: Guadalupe Mountains can be windy, and temperatures can change throughout the day.
- Snacks: Give yourself plenty of time for the hike instead of rushing.
- Small first-aid kit: With so many rocks and uneven surfaces, it’s always good to have basic supplies.
- Headlamp: Even if you don’t expect to be hiking after dark, I like having one in my pack as a backup.
I linked my hiking adventure favorites here → What I Always Pack for a Hiking Adventure
Wind Can Be a Big Deal in Guadalupe Mountains
One thing you absolutely need to check before hiking Devil’s Hall is the wind forecast.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for extremely strong winds, particularly during the cooler months. We visited in March, which can still be part of the park’s windy season.
We had pretty nice weather during our visit, but conditions here can change quickly.
Wind matters even more on a trail like Devil’s Hall because you’re already navigating loose rocks and uneven terrain. Strong gusts can affect your balance, especially when you’re scrambling or stepping from one rock to another.
Before heading to the trailhead, check the National Park Service’s current conditions as well as the local weather forecast. Don’t just look at the temperature, look at the sustained wind speed and expected gusts too. We didn’t get the wind on our hike, but we did on the White Sands day and wow! It was intense.
If the winds are extremely strong, save Devil’s Hall for another day.
Don’t Hike Devil’s Hall When Rain Is Expected
Rain is another weather condition I would take very seriously on this trail.
Remember that much of the Devil’s Hall route follows a wash or river bottom.
That makes it especially important to check the forecast before starting the hike. Desert weather can be deceptive because it doesn’t necessarily have to be raining directly above you for water to move through a drainage.
I wouldn’t do this hike if there were thunderstorms or significant rain in the forecast.
The rocky wash can also change after storms as water moves rocks, boulders, and other debris through the drainage.
Check the weather before leaving for the trailhead and pay attention to changing conditions while you’re hiking. If storms begin developing, don’t continue farther into the wash.
When Is the Best Time to Hike Devil’s Hall?
We visited Guadalupe Mountains National Park in March, and overall, I thought it was a really nice time to be there.
The temperatures were fairly comfortable, although it still became warmer than I expected while we were hiking because there isn’t much shade along portions of the trail.
If you’re visiting in spring or fall, I would still try to start earlier in the day. You’ll have cooler temperatures, more time to complete the hike, and won’t have to feel rushed while navigating the rocks.
No matter when you visit, check three things before starting:
Temperature. Wind. Rain.
All three can have a major impact on this hike.
Adding Guadalupe Mountains to a National Parks Road Trip
Guadalupe Mountains was part of a larger national parks trip for us, and I think this is one of the easiest ways to visit.
We flew into El Paso and combined White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park into the same trip.
It was a great combination because each park felt completely different.
At White Sands, you’re walking across rolling white gypsum dunes. At Carlsbad Caverns, you’re exploring enormous rooms deep underground. Then at Guadalupe Mountains, you’re scrambling through a rocky desert wash surrounded by mountains.
If you’re trying to visit multiple national parks in one trip, these three work really well together.
Is the Devil’s Hall Hike Worth It?
Yes—but I would go into the hike knowing that Devil’s Hall itself is only one small part of the experience.
If you’re expecting miles of narrow slot canyon, you may be surprised by how short the actual “hall” is. I definitely was.
But I ended up enjoying the journey there just as much.
Walking through the rocky riverbed, spotting pine trees growing higher above the desert floor, scrambling over rocks, and climbing the incredible natural staircase made this trail feel like an adventure rather than simply a walk to a viewpoint.
And when those high rock walls finally rise around you at Devil’s Hall, they’re still incredibly impressive—even if the hallway ends sooner than you expected.
For a first visit to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Devil’s Hall is a great way to experience the park’s rugged landscape and unusual geology.
Download your trail map before you go, bring plenty of water, watch the weather, and don’t underestimate those rocks.
Have you hiked Devil’s Hall in Guadalupe Mountains National Park? Did the canyon look the way you expected? Share your experience in the comments!
Explore More National Parks Nearby
Looking for more national parks to add to your trip? Two incredible parks are within driving distance of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, making it easy to turn your visit into a three-park road trip.
Continue your adventure with my White Sands National Park guide, where you can explore miles of brilliant white gypsum dunes, or head underground with my Carlsbad Caverns National Park guide to experience its massive caves and incredible rock formations.
Read Next: