Exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park on an Electric Road Trip
A Bright EV Drive Toward Texas
The sun was high, but not quite out of my eyes, as we drove our KIA EV6 southwest on US Highway 62.
After charging in Artesia, New Mexico the day before, we left the underground wonder of Carlsbad Caverns National Park around lunchtime and set our sights on Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We wanted to see what scenic treasures lay south of the New Mexico border before our next top‑off charge in Van Horn, Texas.
Squinting through my sunglasses, we turned onto the park entrance road and followed it to the visitor center.
The road ends here - and that’s by design.
Time to Regen: SightSeeEV.com may earn a small commission if you buy through Amazon or other affiliate links—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we trust and use ourselves. Thanks for helping fuel our EV adventures!⚡️
A Park That Protects Its Wilderness
Guadalupe Mountains National Park doesn’t offer a scenic drive through its interior. To truly experience the rugged beauty hidden within, you’ll need to explore on foot.
Hikers and backpackers who venture onto the trails are rewarded with solitude, wildlife, and some of the tallest peaks in Texas.
Amp’d Advice: Always put safety first when exploring the park’s trails. Register your plans with the park rangers and carry essential gear so you’re prepared for unexpected situations (okay—maybe not alien abduction, but everything else).
Read this article on our recommended items to help you stay safe and confident on the trail.
From Overland Stage Routes to National Park Trails
During mid-1800s expansionism, the United States began scouting for a southern railroad route. Surveyors entered the Guadalupe Mountains in hopes of identifying a suitable passage. Although the Southern Pacific ultimately chose a more southern route near the Rio Grande, John Butterfield saw promise in Guadalupe Pass.
In 1858, the Butterfield Overland Mail Company carved out the first “road” through what is now the national park. Even after the route shifted south in 1859, the path remained active, used over the years by ranchers, hunters, Mescalero Apache, geologists, and eventually national park visitors.
A Roadless Vision Preserved
Early National Park Service planners imagined roads through every park, but by the 1960s, priorities shifted toward wilderness protection.
The 1964 Wilderness Act limited major road building, and after Guadalupe Mountains National Park was authorized in 1966, the decision was made: this would remain a wilderness‑first park, explored by foot or horseback.
That choice keeps the landscape pristine, offering a rare chance to experience a true wilderness environment just as earlier travelers did.
A Short Walk and a Scenic Lunch
Time restrictions coupled with the heat sapping our motivation, we decided to forgo hiking into the park.
Cheryl and I reviewed the store and museum before braving the heat and stretching our legs on the short trails outside the park headquarters, taking in views of several of the tallest peaks in Texas.
Before leaving we enjoyed the shaded picnic area providing the perfect setup for a mid-afternoon snack before continuing our EV journey.
Every EV trip starts with PlugShare to research destinations and charging options
Our mantra is simple: we design our route - never blindly following a GPS.
Once we pick a destination, I hop onto PlugShare to check which charging providers are available along the way. I read through the reviews for reliability, tips on the best pedestals, nearby amenities, and hard to find charger locations.
Meanwhile, Cheryl adds her own nostalgic twist by marking each station on a paper atlas, giving us a colorful, big‑picture snapshot of the journey.
Blending digital tools with old‑school mapping keeps planning quick, stress‑free, and just a little adventurous. Check out the full article to see how this combo keeps our road trips smooth and fun!
Onward to Big Bend Texas
Knowing we had a long drive to Big Bend National Park, we left for Van Horn, Texas, a 64‑mile route, to top off our charge to 100% at the Electrify America station.
It’s an easy and reliable stop, and a good reminder that EV road‑tripping through western Texas can be both efficient and scenic with a bit of planning.
From Van Horn, a pleasant afternoon drive across wide‑open Texas highways carried us to Terlingua and the doorstep of Big Bend National Park - ready for the next chapter of our EV adventure.
An avid runner, John’s fascination with electric vehicles began the day he left a 1970s Citicar in the dust.
Since then, he’s worked to educate readers that EVs are simply cars powered by an alternative energy source.
His favorite way to experience it? Road-tripping along the Great American Electric Highway, where the miles turn into opportunities to visit family, reconnect with friends, and soak in the country’s scenic beauty.
When John isn’t writing about EV adventures, running in new places, or exploring new destinations, you’ll probably find him catching a well-earned nap before the next journey begins.
EV Basics
EV Charging
Essential Items
EV Road Trip Planning
My electric car surprised me. I thought it would be a compromise, but instead it became the car I look forward to driving every day—more responsive, calmer, and more enjoyable than my old gas vehicles.