Is Dell City Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Dell City, a small town near the foothills of the imposing Guadalupe Mountains, is known as the Valley of Hidden Waters.

Situated in Hudspeth County, this hidden gem lies approximately 100 miles east of El Paso.

Originally founded as a farming community in the early 20th century, Dell City’s story is one of resilience and adaptation.

Oil drillers first came to the region looking for black gold but ended up finding an aquifer underground that was replenished naturally.

That’s when farmers started growing on the land, particularly cotton farming.

Dell City was the hometown of the late Dixie Chicks founder Laura Lynch.

Even after fame set in, she still regularly came back to her beloved hometown.

Despite its modest size, Dell City boasts a warm hospitality that welcomes visitors with open arms.

Its remote location fosters a sense of tranquility, making it an ideal destination for those seeking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life.

It’s a place where everyone waves to you, and it’s considered rude not to wave back.

The biggest draw to Dell City is the nearby Salt Dunes, part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Hiking trails lead through the stunning spread with views of Texas’s tallest peak watching over.

In Dell City, time seems to slow down, inviting visitors to savor the simple pleasures of life against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty.

Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply seeking a moment of respite, this tranquil town offers a refreshing escape from the ordinary.

Warnings & Dangers in Dell City

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but the remote nature of Dell City might make some people uneasy. If you're looking for solitude, it doesn't come better than this.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You won't find any kind of public transportation to get here or around town. You need a car - one that is reliable, serviced, and stocked with emergency supplies. Ideally, it's a four-wheel drive vehicle.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, and no pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported in recent years. You should still lock your car and leave the windows rolled up. Any trailhead parking area could be a target for thieves.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

This area can get wildfires, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and dangerous winds. You simply must stay aware of the weather while you're here.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, with no robberies reported in the county over the past three years (at least).

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low as this town is way too remote and bordering on becoming a ghost town. If you happen to see any suspicious activity, please report it to the sheriff's office.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. However, the best place to learn about scams in a small town like this is at the local cafe or mercantile. The locals know everything that is going on. The risk is low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The low risk continues, but please be sure to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. It's not wise to explore this remote desert area alone. Try to travel in groups of at least three people.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Many places here will get their water from a well, which is tested at the owner's discretion. You can ask for a recent water test if you'd like. It's worth noting that the aquifer water here is so treasured that El Paso recently bought a bunch of land to use for that growing city to the west.

Safest Places to Visit in Dell City

Dell City doesn’t have a tourism bureau if you can believe it!

In fact, the one website that looked like it was for the city was actually for the telephone company.

However, it’s not hard to run through the few things to do in and around Dell City.

In town, you’ll find a collection of short-term rentals, some created by Dixie Chicks founder Laura Lynch before she died in a car accident.

The accommodations are built into adobe structures and provide the basics with brilliant sunset views.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the main reason any new people come through Dell City, as it’s the only thing you can find on these rural roads.

This is a hiker’s park, with no roads connecting the different sections.

You’ll need to drive 45 minutes from the Pine Springs park entrance to get here.

Then, once you’re here, the only attraction to the park is the Salt Dunes.

However, you get incredible views of the Guadalupe Mountains, with clear views of Guadalupe Peak most days.

That’s the highest peak in Texas at 8,751 feet.

While you’re in Dell City, it would be a great boost to the local economy if you ate at one of the two restaurants.

Spanish Angel Cafe is a local favorite, but when you only have two to choose from, they can both be your favorite.

There’s a small mercantile with supplies and souvenirs.

The Hudspeth County Fair is held for three days every September and is a great time to visit this small town for a carnival and rodeo.

While this region isn’t officially an International Dark Sky Park, the night skies are still pretty pristine and warrant a night camping under the stars.

Several campsites are available nearby, like in Cornudas, where each night is just $5.

You can also find a list of campsites outside the national park on the park’s website.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park has two campsites and some backcountry camping options.

Places to Avoid in Dell City

Dell City is about a mile wide and a mile and a half long – leaving little room for dangerous parts of town.

However, anyone visiting here only needs to use the main road into the park (Highway 1437) to Williams Road, which leads to the trailhead for the Gypsum Dunes.

If you don’t plan on visiting the dunes, you likely don’t need to make this trek to Dell City.

It’s remote with few amenities.

Unless you’re hellbent on seeing a very small agricultural town, there’s little reason to go this far and risk the remote drive or lack of resources once you get here.

Also, the land here is either privately owned or part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Stay off private land and respect the rules of the public land, which means following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace and following all federal park rules.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Dell City

Dell City gets law enforcement from the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office. You can call (915) 369-2161 if you have specific safety questions.
If you have questions pertaining to the safety of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, call 915-828-3251. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Bring a weather radio with you to Dell City. Mobile service will be sparse, and you need to be aware of incoming weather. Check with park rangers before you tackle a trail in the park. Be especially aware of windy days, as February through May can bring brutal winds.
Dell City has one gas station, and it just has two pumps. This is the only gas station between El Paso and Van Horn. Always top off your gas tank when you’re traveling to a remote area like this. Even if you break down, you’ll at least be able to keep the air conditioning running until help arrives.
The Sand Dunes can get a dark crust on top of it, and this is natural protection essential for plants to grow. Don’t walk on or break the crust while exploring.
No water is available at the Salt Dunes trailhead. Bring at least one quart of water per hour for each person.
Rattlesnakes are common in this area, whether in town or the Salt Dunes. Keep an eye out for snakes and move as far away as possible if you see one. It is a federal crime to harm them.
Check the previous one to three-day weather patterns, as any rain can make the unpaved road to the Salt Dunes very slippery. The road to the dunes is 7.5 miles long, so it’s not really feasible to walk that distance on a wet clay surface, either.
Dell City is four miles from New Mexico, but this isn’t the route you want to take. The unpaved roads run for hundreds of miles through the barren wilderness. To get to New Mexico on paved roads, drive around the national park through Pine Springs.
Hudspeth County is in the Mountain Time Zone, but just barely. That time zone covers the entire park, but just outside the park is the Central Time Zone. Your smart devices and car clock will likely be showing the wrong time. It’s important to know the time so that you can keep track of your hiking pace. For example, the Salt Dunes close a half hour after sunset.

So... How Safe Is Dell City Really?

Crime is minimal in this remote county, with most of the crimes happening in cities other than Dell City.

In fact, the biggest complaint of the past few years in Dell City has been poachers hunting illegally on the land.

Looking at the crime data from 2023, three aggravated assaults were the only violent crimes.

Just three thefts and one car theft round out the larceny category.

The biggest crime problem was drug and narcotic violations, coming in at 66 – a 154% increase from 2022.

This region also deals with migrant issues, including a headline-inducing shooting that left one migrant dead and another injured.

The suspects called it a “hunting accident,” but the surviving victim said it was intentional.

However, crimes like that will fall under the Border Patrol or Texas Ranger’s jurisdiction, not the county sheriff.

The reality is that most people will only come to Dell City to get to the Salt Dunes of the national park.

Dell City isn’t that big to cater to large crowds, and you’re 90 minutes from anywhere, whether that’s El Paso or the other side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The safest visit here comes with plenty of education about the weather, climate, wildlife, and wilderness survival skills.

How Does Dell City Compare?

City	Safety Index
Dell City	81
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Baltimore	56
Boston	67
Washington DC	56
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

Dell City has a desert climate, with scorching hot summer temperatures and winters that range from the 60s for daytime highs and below freezing for nighttime lows. Bring comfortable, casual clothing suited for the outdoors and blowing dust or sand. Wear sunscreen and bring a wide-brimmed hat.

Airports

El Paso is the closest airport, about 90 minutes west of Dell City. That is unless you have a personal plane small enough to land at the Dell City Municipal Airport.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it. Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind. You want to make sure you have roadside assistance coverage for your rental car in this remote area.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Dell City Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 6° C

Feb 9° C

Mar 13° C

Apr 17° C

May 22° C

Jun 26° C

Jul 27° C

Aug 27° C

Sep 23° C

Oct 17° C

Nov 11° C

Dec 6° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	16	19	23	27	32	36	36	35	32	27	20	15
Low °C	-4	-1	2	6	11	16	18	18	14	7	1	-4
High °F	61	66	73	81	90	97	97	95	90	81	68	59
Low °F	25	30	36	43	52	61	64	64	57	45	34	25

Texas - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Abilene	67
Amarillo	65
Austin	65
Beaumont	51
Brownsville	68
Carrollton	72
Corpus Christi	71
Dallas	64
Del Rio	68
Dell City	81
Denton	72
El Paso	77
Fort Davis	80
Fort Worth	77
Fredericksburg	85
Frisco	84
Garland	83
Granbury	74
Grand Prairie	72
Gruene	82
Harlingen	75
Houston	59
Irving	79
Laredo	68
Lewisville	80
Llano	83
Lubbock	38
Luckenbach	77
Marathon	78
Marfa	80
McAllen	74
McKinney	84
Mesquite	52
Midland	78
Nacogdoches	78
New Braunfels	83
Plano	86
Port Aransas	83
Richardson	81
San Angelo	83
San Antonio	53
Schulenburg	83
Sherman	73
Smithville	84
South Padre Island	70
Tyler	70
Waco	61
Waxahachie	83
Weslaco	68
Wichita Falls	68
Wimberley	81

Is Dell City Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Texas : Safety by City