 The majority of McKittrick Canyon is part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, but is separated from the main park area and managed as a "day-use only" area with limited visitation hours.A large part of North McKittrick Canyon, though, is located in the Guadalupe Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico.Access to McKittrick Canyon is by a 4.2-mile (6.8-km) gated side road that leads to the mouth of McKittrick Canyon from U.S. Route 62/180.