Pure Well

An abandoned oil pump jack stands in a flat space on a rugged desert mountainside.

A flattened terrace carved into the steep west-facing slope below Bartlett Peak holds vintage drilling equipment frozen in place—a pumping unit, Fordson tractor on concrete foundation, and steel cable hoist system. J.C. Hunter, who preserved these mountains for the park, also drilled here in 1947 through The Pure Oil Company, reaching 6,650 feet in a dry hole. The well was later plugged for water use, then abandoned when park operations no longer required livestock water. Today it stands as an industrial relic within the 1978 Wilderness boundary, a monument to competing mid-century visions of land use.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 31.9138, -104.8967
Accessibility: Not accessible—wilderness-only access, steep terrain, high altitude

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Bartlett Peak, Guadalupe Peak, Williams Ranch

More details

Park Area: West side below Bartlett Peak
Family Friendly Notes: Not suitable for families. Remote location requires wilderness backpacking skills, multiple hours of hiking, and high elevation tolerance.
Recent Updates: Site closed to public for plug and abandonment work. Anticipated completion 2023-24. Contact Visitor Center for current access status.
Attraction Type: Industrial Heritage Site
Accessibility Level: Wilderness backcountry access required
How To Get There: Located on the remote west side of Guadalupe Mountains below Bartlett Peak. Requires wilderness backcountry access via deeply eroded trail. Currently closed to public during plug and abandonment work—check with Visitor Center for access status.
Parking Availability: Not applicable; remote wilderness location with no developed parking
Road Type: Deeply eroded and rutted
Entry Fees: $10 per person (age 16+); America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance at all federal recreation sites
Main Features: Abandoned oil well on a flattened terrace (approximately 75 x 150 feet), situated in a 4-foot-deep cellar. Original equipment includes an electric pumping unit, vintage Fordson tractor mounted on concrete foundation, and steel cable hoist system. Eroded access road trails from the western end.
Unique Characteristics: Mid-20th-century industrial relic within National Park; represents land-use conflict between oil exploration and conservation during Hunter era; intact vintage equipment rare in protected lands.
Safety Considerations: Steeply sloping, high-altitude terrain with significant fall exposure. Extreme isolation—remote wilderness location far from rescue services. Site currently closed to public for plug and abandonment work; do not attempt access without official authorization.
Photo Opportunities: Vintage Fordson tractor and pumping unit against stark mountain terrace backdrop; steel cable hoist against exposed slope; historical industrial equipment juxtaposed with wilderness.
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 0
Interpretive Signs: 0
Water Available: 0
Common Wildlife: Black bear, mountain lion, mule deer, elk, coyote, javelina (collared peccary)
Scientific Interest: Demonstrates pre-park industrial activity on Permian Reef marine geology; artifact of 1940s-50s exploration era; well stratigraphy recorded to 6,650 feet.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is the Pure Well worth a backcountry trip?

Only if combining with other Guadalupe wilderness objectives. The remote wilderness location justifies a multi-day expedition, not a solo visit.

Why is there an oil well in a National Park?

J.C. Hunter, who preserved these lands for the park, was also an oil and gas businessman. This 1947 well represents competing development vs. conservation visions of that era.

Can I visit the well right now?

No—currently closed for plug and abandonment work. Contact the Visitor Center for current access status and reopening timeline.

How much wilderness experience do I need?

Significant. It requires multi-day backpacking skills, navigation, high-altitude tolerance, and self-sufficiency far from help.

Will I see the original 1940s drilling equipment?

Yes—the pumping unit, Fordson tractor on concrete foundation, and steel cable system remain visible on the terrace, though the site is currently closed for preservation work.

Can I day-hike this or must I backpack?

You must backpack—the site is in remote wilderness requiring multiple days and wilderness camping. It's not a daytrip destination.