For 30 miles, the Guadalupe Backcountry Byway travels the transition from cholla cactus in the Chihuahuan Desert west of Carlsbad up into the pines of the dramatic Guadalupe Escarpment. Travelers can see mule deer, pronghorn antelope, gray fox, scaled quail, mourning dove, a variety of songbirds, and small mammals. The
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
This site is free — no fee is charged, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- Source Find on Recreation.gov ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.recreation.gov ↗
- Contact 575-234-5972
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Guadalupe Backcountry Byway — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Guadalupe Backcountry Byway?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Can you bring a dog?
Generally yes — dogs are welcome when kept under control (usually leashed). Confirm any local rules.
Depends Are drones allowed?
Sometimes — often allowed away from wilderness and developed or crowded areas, with rules. Check locally before you fly.
Nearby sites
CCadio / CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Bureau of Reclamation Brantley Reservoir
CheckReclamation honors the pass at only a handful of sites — confirm before you rely on it here.
Fred Quivik / Public domain · Wikimedia Commons Bureau of Reclamation Avalon Reservoir
CheckReclamation honors the pass at only a handful of sites — confirm before you rely on it here.