Salt Flat

Wander among desolate buildings and stop at an old café that has endured through many changes in the town of Salt Flat. Stand near dried lakes and gaze over endless plains or toward the magnificent peaks of the Guadalupe Mountains.

Learn about the area’s history. At the start of the 20th century, the son of a local vegetable farmer overheard a discussion planning for a highway connecting El Paso with Carlsbad in New Mexico. The family quickly built stores, gas stations and tourist courts (motels) to cater for passing traffic. Before long, Salt Flat had several houses, a post office and even an airstrip. Despite providing a home for over 100 residents during the early part of the 1960s, by 1970 only 35 remained. Soon, the town was abandoned, leaving a lone café.

After your long drive across Texas, the Salt Flat Cafe is a welcome sight. Its friendly service creates an enjoyable experience. Select from delicious home-made dishes served with refreshing drinks.

Walk around to explore what is left of the town. Investigate the graying ruins of the Tourist Court and imagine this place as it could have been, bustling with commercial truck drivers and tourists.

Drive east to the open salt lakes which gave the town its name. These were the subject of the fierce San Elizario Salt War in 1877 when ethnic Mexicans fought Texas Rangers for use of this valuable resource. Today the lakes are a peaceful place to spend some time. Marvel at the sweeping views all around and peer northeast toward Guadalupe National Park. Rising high from the parched landscape, Guadalupe Peak and El Capitan provide stunning backdrops.

Salt Flat is 86.5 miles (139 kilometers) east of El Paso and 78 miles (125 kilometers) southwest of Carlsbad. There are no accommodations in Salt Flat so stay at either of these locations.

Any trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park should involve a visit to the historic abandoned town of Salt Flat.