Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Related Category: U.S. National Park System

(gwä´dəlp), 86,416 acres (34,998 hectares), W Tex. Located in the Guadalupe Mts., the park contains parts of the world's largest and most significant Permian limestone fossil reef. In the park are McKittrich Canyon; Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 ft (2,667 m), the highest point in Texas; and El Capitan, 8,078 ft (2,462 m), which served as a landmark for westward-traveling pioneers. The park was authorized in 1966 and established in 1972. See National Parks and Monuments (table).