McKittrick Canyon, Natural canyon in Guadalupe Mountains, United States.

McKittrick Canyon is a canyon located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park in far west Texas. A stream runs along the canyon floor throughout the year, making it one of the few places in this desert region where water flows permanently.

The land was owned in the early 20th century by an oil geologist named Wallace Pratt, who built a cabin and spent years living near the canyon. He eventually donated his holdings to the federal government, which led directly to the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park in 1972.

The canyon's cultural life today centres on the trail that starts at the volunteer-staffed visitor centre and follows a dry stream bed, crossing it several times. Along the way grow Spanish dagger, sotol, ocotillo, lechuguilla, century plants, prickly pear and claret cup cacti, with occasional pines, junipers and Texas madrone whose red bark curls and peels each year. Higher up, a clear stream supports oak, ash and bigtooth maple, whose autumn colour contrasts with the desert.

The canyon is accessed from a trailhead parking area where marked paths follow the stream into the canyon. The terrain is moderate but exposed, so starting early in the morning helps avoid the strongest heat of the day.

The canyon's archeological importance led to part of it being listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 26 September 1991, as the McKittrick Canyon Archeological District. The trail also passes the Wallace Pratt Lodge after 2.4 miles (3.9 km), the house of the petroleum geologist who once owned most of the canyon.