Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
The most common soil here is Victorio, on about 9% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Lostpeak and Chilicotal come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 74% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 63% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 62% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilicotal-Chispa complex, 3 to 13 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bissett-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lostpeak-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 95 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Victorio-Lozen-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Monahans-Pajarito complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Not limited |
| Victorio-Lozen-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 95 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Biduya-Desario-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pinery, Choza, and Altuda soils, 5 to 60 percent slopes, very rocky | 6K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Corvus-Peligro complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonespring-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Copia loamy fine sand, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chispa-Tenneco complex, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lark-Peligro complex, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 1K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lazarus loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| McKittrick-Riverwash complex, flooded, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 521 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 63% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 74% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.