national park road trip from texas

Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip

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If exploring the breathtaking beauty of our National Park System in one road trip is something on your bucket list, this may be the perfect map for you. Back in 2016, for the 100 th anniversary of the National Park Service, blogger Randy Olson devised an optimal route to see the most epic national parks across the nation.

The U.S. National Park System technically consists of 59 parks, but 12 of them are in Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. territories. This road trip is focused solely on those you can reach by car in one trip within the Continental 48.

Even with the reduction of the parks outside the Lower 48, Olson included 47 others along his route that stop in 23 different states. If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains , Joshua Tree, or any of the other great National Parks, this may be the best way to see them in one shot.

Those determined to finish the trip full of scenic drives can do so in approximately two months! The route covers 14,498 miles. Olson starts his trip at the Grand Canyon, but he designed the route as a loop, so you could begin anywhere on the map and travel in whichever direction you'd like.

Here's the full list of national parks in order and a visual of the route:

Randy Olson/Google Maps

The Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip

• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
• Saguaro National Park, Arizona
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
• Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
• Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
• Everglades National Park, Florida
• Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
• Biscayne National Park, Florida
• Congaree National Park, South Carolina
• Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Acadia National Park, Maine
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
• Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
• Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
• Badlands National Park, South Dakota
• Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
• Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
• Canyonlands National Park, Utah
• Arches National Park, Utah
• Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Zion National Park, Utah
• Great Basin National Park, Nevada
• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• North Cascades National Park, Washington
• Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Olympic National Park, Washington
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Redwood National and State Parks, California
• Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Kings Canyon National Park, California
• Sequoia National Park, California
• Pinnacles National Park, California
• Channel Islands National Park, California
• Joshua Tree National Park, California
• Death Valley National Park, California

This post was originally published on June 16, 2017. It was updated on March 9, 2022. 

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Travel Tips  

Texas and new mexico road trip: four national parks in four days.

Prepared By:

Sydney farthing.

Adventurer & Photographer

Our lasso-shaped Texas / New Mexico national park road trip map is fitting — as if it’s wrangling up the endless desert terrains and ponderosa pines that make up the route for me to put in my pocket and share with you all.

Road trip route.

National Parks

Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and White Sands National Park

Total Distance

815 miles / 1311 km

Suggested Days

Suggested seasons, day 1: tuesday, song inspiration: “hotel california” – the eagles, “on a dark desert highway…”.

It takes work to get to Big Bend National Park. Realistically, you can’t get there from South Carolina in just one day, even with modern conveniences. So the first day of our trip was solely dedicated to travel, flying most of the day with a layover in Dallas, then picking up a rental car upon landing in El Paso and driving three hours to Marfa, Texas.

I’m a fan of quirkiness, so I was ecstatic to check out Marfa, Texas. For context, Marfa is a small, once-cattle-town-turned-artist-haven in the middle of nowhere, Texas. The town is a spectacle because it’s a place where two worlds that don’t typically mesh coexist. Some locals grew up on cattle farms and stuck around even though business dried up. Others were big-city artists who moved to Marfa looking for breathing room and a quiet place to showcase their craft. Seemingly, both groups agree that they’ll welcome anyone except those who disrupt the peace or aim to make Marfa something it’s not. 

On our trek from El Paso, we excitedly spotted the iconic “Prada Marfa” storefront about 35 miles from town. It’s what it sounds like, a strange fake Prada store in the middle of the desert, showcasing only left shoes through the windows. It stands out alongside the only other buildings on the road, truck stops, and dilapidated homes. We continued our drive and could both use a drink after a long day, so upon arriving in Marfa, we stopped at the only bar in Marfa open on a Tuesday, Planet Marfa. It’s an eclectic beer garden with multiple unique gathering areas, like a bus, a teepee, and a tree house. We enjoyed karaoke before heading to our art-filled adobe rental home to crash (I splurged on lodging for Marfa).

Day 2: Wednesday

Song inspiration: “texas sun” – khruangbin and leon bridges, “you say you like the wind blowing through your hair; well, come on, roll with me ’til the sun goes down… texas sun…”.

Texas stretches remarkably far and wide. There is so much space between towns that, in Texas culture, the city of Marfa is basically inside Big Bend National Park. However, if you’re from anywhere else, a 100-mile distance equates to a moderate journey to a different place. So even though I would have liked to spend hours wandering around Marfa, shopping, visiting art exhibits, and people-watching, we decided to get an early start for our three-hour drive to Big Bend to get the most out of our day. But first, we stopped at Aster Marfa, a farm-to-table cafe in Marfa-typical, artsy, tex-mex fashion, and picked up breakfast sandwiches for our drive. The commute consisted of many jagged mountain peaks, flat-topped mesas, and about five other cars.

Our first stop in Big Bend was the 1.3-mile out-and-back hike to Santa Elena Canyon. Views of the tall rock formations beside the Rio Grande River were already beautiful from the trailhead, and we were eager to see what the rest of the park had to offer. At the start of the hike, we had to choose between crossing through the river or taking a longer trail. We chose the latter, mainly because we wanted to avoid getting our socks soggy. I quickly regretted our decision when the incline and dry heat got to me earlier than expected. My sweet, athletic-beyond-his-years dad was patient and encouraged me to take many water breaks, allowing him to bird-watch and read the interpretive signs along the trail. I knew the hike was relatively short, which kept my morale up. Soon, we arrived at the narrow canyon with red clay rock, a perfect contrast to the bright blue sky looming over the clear water of the Rio Grande. It was a spectacular sight, worth the effort to get there. I sat on a riverside rock and enjoyed the sights, watching a turtle that kept poking up its head while my dad explored further, as athletes do. Then we continued back on the trail, unhesitantly taking the river-crossing route on the way back. The water was incredibly refreshing, making it hard to get out. But we had more to see, so we were off to the Chiso Mountain region of the park.

We drove a slowly inclining, winding one-hour route to the Chiso Mountain trailhead and were delighted by the change in environment – a cool breeze and rugged mountain tops with lush, green accents. It looked like the backdrop for Jurassic Park. There are many trail options, and with our short time allotment, we bargained for the 1.8-mile Chiso Basin Loop Trail. The views were dramatic and unique as we were surrounded by mountains on all sides, except for one window through which gave views of a further mountain range. With more time, we would have tried the 5.6-mile Window Trail for a hike down to the actual opening.

Next, we drove another 45 minutes to the Hot Springs Historic Trail, a .5-mile walk to the riverside remnants of a stone bath built over a hot spring. This area was once a spiritual sanctuary for the Indigenous Madessawi people  until around 1800. It was easy to see why — the babbling river, accented with wildflowers and hilly views in the distance, with the built-in warmth and tranquility of a hot spring, seemed almost too good to be true. Maybe it was, because the area eventually became a town and inn after white settlers invaded. Along the trail, you can glimpse into past worlds through petroglyphs on the side of stone walls and abandoned motel rooms. Now, the historic hotspring is a protected haven for parkgoers, a way to honor its intricate and dark history and allow everyone to enjoy its beauty. Of course, when my dad and I approached the hot spring, it was being enjoyed by other white families. Suddenly, our expedition felt less groundbreaking. I began to recognize the pushed-under-the-rug notion that although there are placards and “help us preserve these petroglyph” signs, this is a place for the ancestors of war winners. If I travel to sacred spaces, the least I can do is acknowledge the ugly truths. The descendants of those who truly understood and loved the land either don’t feel welcome or aren’t around. 

We soaked in the hot spring, taking in all we’d experienced in Big Bend. We then made the trek back to Marfa, stopping halfway through for tacos at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua Ghost Town . We were contently exhausted and passed out almost immediately as we returned.

Day 3: Thursday

Song inspiration: “the man that time forgot” – charley crocket, “have you ever seen a stranger just a-passing through and wondered where that drifter he was headed to”.

By Thursday, my dad and I felt like outlaws on the run, with no time to stop anywhere for too long. We snagged some breakfast tacos at the Sentinel Marfa before skipping town to explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park in New Mexico.

The drive from Marfa to Guadalupe was about 2 hours. We passed bare deserts and wind storms and eventually weaved through shrub-covered, round-topped mountains. There was no cell service or radio signal, and we couldn’t play our Spotify blend playlist, so I began playing every saved album on my phone, like deep-cut Taylor Swift and John Mayor tracks. Then I obviously had to explain the controversy between the two artists. My dad and I were really getting to know each other. (Take that, Spotify!)

Our first stop at the park was Pine Springs Visitor Center, where a ranger informed us that we could only squeeze in a small portion of the activities I had planned for the day due to time. It was a bummer, but we expected plan changes. Next, we went to Frijole Ranch Trailhead, just a stone’s throw away, to hike the 2.3-mile Smith Spring Loop trail. My expectations were low, and I was disappointed we couldn’t experience the epic hikes with dramatic views Guadalupe is known for in our limited time. Luckily, my dad was in positive spirits. He was just happy to be exploring, so I tried to mimic his attitude. We began our trek, which headed through the dry desert towards more lively vegetation at the base of some mid-sized mountains at a slight incline. I quickly became light-headed and out of breath. I was learning that I don’t do well in dry heat. It’s best that we missed the epic hike anyway.

To my delight, the landscape and temperature suddenly changed about a mile in as we entered a shady oasis, Smith Spring. There was a creek, a small waterfall, and greenery all around. We cooled down, enjoyed the satisfying payoff, and chatted with friendly passersby before continuing the loop trail, enjoying the unique views of the hilly Chihuahuan Desert. When we reached the trailhead, we walked through the Frijole Ranch Museum, a restored homestead from 1876. We learned about the Mescalero Apaches, who held peaceful sanctuary in the area before pioneers conquered the land in the 1800s. It felt like another testament to the dark history of valuable land. How a place with such grandeur is usually a double-edged sword; appreciating something to its fullest with no defense often comes at a  cost.

Next, we departed for Devil’s Hall Trail, another short drive away. Our second and last Guadalupe experience had the promise of magnificence, a 4.3-mile round-trip hike through a rocky wash and up a natural staircase to a slot canyon – Devil’s Hall. It was late afternoon and noticeably cooler than earlier. I gleefully trudged along the trail, enjoying the dramatic, cliffy mountains surrounding us, similar to the Jurassic Park scene in the Chiso Mountains of Big Bend. When the path turned into boulders, I hopped along quickly, leaving my dad in the dust, happy to find that balancing on rocks is my hiking skill. Sadly, someone along the trail told us there was a deer carcass dominated by flies in Devil’s Hall, and he didn’t recommend we climb up. When we reached the natural staircase, we enjoyed the unique geologic formations, took photos, and hiked back. The park was closing soon, so we had to say goodbye to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, even though there was much more we wanted to see. 

We drove to Carlsbad, New Mexico, about an hour away, where we ate at Yellow Brix, an upscale-ish American diner suggested to us on a hike that day, before crashing in our hotel room. 

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Day 4: Friday

Song inspiration: “dime store cowgirl” – kacey musgraves, “drivin’ through new mexico where the saguaro cactus grow…”.

Friday was a big day for me and Dad. We planned to visit both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Park and then check into a rental home in Las Cruces, waking up before dawn the next day to get to the El Paso Airport. So we woke up early, ate a quick hotel breakfast, then drove to Carlsbad Caverns, about 30 minutes from town, to make our 8:30 am reservation. The drive in was hilly, beige, and bare, and it took about 15 minutes to reach the visitor’s center after entering the park. By this point, we’d listened to about all of my downloaded music and almost resorted to the infamous U2 album that was dropped onto every iPhone in 2014. 

After checking in at the visitor’s center, we proceeded to the natural entrance, a winding trail that drops 750 feet into a giant, underground hole. As we walked through the cave opening, we descended further and further into darkness with minimal guiding light. This was both me and my dad’s first cave experience, and we were in awe. We passed through multiple cave rooms and past rock formations with interpretive signs. It felt like a long line for a ride in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. We were surrounded by unique, ancient structures all around – stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling and stalagmites piercing from the ground. The hike took about an hour and led to the Big Room, a vast open space with infinite formations and relics from early explorers, with information on the cave’s discovery and its opening for tourism. For me, the most enticing aspect of the cave was learning about human interference. There’s an interpretive sign which explains a proposed idea from the early 1900s to blow up a portion of the cave so cars could drive through. I’m happy that never happened.

The tour ended in a futuristic underground food hall and gift shop next to an elevator up to the visitor’s center. With little time to peruse, we quickly made our way to Alamogordo for an afternoon at White Sands National Park, stopping first for burritos from Carniceria San Juan De Los Lagos, a local southwest drive-thru in Carlsbad.

  The drive to White Sands was surprising. The terrain of the first hour or so was flat desert speckled with oil rigs. I fell asleep sometime around then, probably because Dad and I were listening to dead silence since there was still no service, and we’d listened to all my downloaded music. When I woke up, we were winding through mountains covered in Ponderosa Pines, past campgrounds, mom-and-pop shops, and even a ski resort in a village called Cloudcroft. Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at the White Sands National Park entrance, purchased sleds and wax for about $50, and ventured into the park.

  The landscape, changing from desert to blanketed white sand and contrasting the bright blue sky, was incredible. We drove a couple of miles into the park, passing the occasional parking lot on either side until we found one with just a few cars. We waxed our sleds and wandered into the seemingly endless abyss until we found a steep dune to our liking. Sledding took some getting used to, but we had a blast! It felt like the perfect ending to our trip, a joyful playtime to reward us for the exercise and learning of the previous parks. 

  After 30 minutes or so of sledding, we drove further into the park to find a dune to watch the sunset. We sat and stared at the waves of sand backdropped by the dramatic San Andres Mountains as the sky changed from blue to orange to pink. It was the perfect time for me and Dad to process everything we’d seen in such a short time and feel lucky to have experienced it together. We could have sat in awe for hours, but it was getting late, and we had an hour’s drive to Las Cruces, where we had a rental home booked for the night.

  In retrospect, we should have driven straight to El Paso and gotten a hotel near the airport for the night. I aimed to see as much as possible and was probably in denial. I had wanted to explore Las Cruces, having heard it’s a cute and eclectic city. We were drained but made our final stop at a whimsical bar, Vintage Wines. We listened to live, local music and enjoyed wine and pistachios (apparently a staple of the area). Then, once again, we crashed at our rental until abruptly waking up at 6 am to drive another hour to the El Paso Airport.

Final Reflections

Visiting four national parks in four days was a fantastic whirlwind, although far from perfect. There were long drives, changing of plans, and problem-solving with few resources. My dad and I had a lot to reflect on, and with so much time together, we had no excuse but to have some much-needed, difficult conversations. But travel shouldn’t be about ignoring discomfort. Every beautiful space has faced hardships; it’s just a part of being on Earth. Suppose we allow ourselves to feel it all, like the thrill of exploring a new place and the sadness upon learning that its longstanding inhabitants lost their home. When we consider the full picture, we’re one step closer to preventing humankind from repeating tragic mistakes while gaining an appreciation for the vulnerable beauty of our world.

My and my dad’s Spotify blend playlist may have been right; maybe we are only 30% alike. But the other 70% is full of opportunities to explore our differing perspectives and gain deeper connection and understanding. That’s a lot to wrangle for one road trip, huh?

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National Parks in Texas and New Mexico: 10 Day Ultimate Road Trip Guide

Are you looking for an epic national park road trip adventure? Look no further than the national parks in Texas and New Mexico. From Big Bend National Park’s soaring canyons and desert landscape to Carlsbad Caverns’ vast cave system, these two states are packed with outdoor wonders.

In this blog post, we’ll be detailing exactly what each national park service site has to offer and helping you plan your ultimate road trip adventure through Texas and New Mexico’s incredible national parks.

My family had such an incredible time exploring these awesome Texas and New Mexico national parks on a fun spring break road trip!

National Parks in New Mexico

New Mexico is home to two stunning national parks: Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands. The underground wonders of Carlsbad Caverns are a sight to behold, with spectacular rock formations and bat colonies filling the caverns’ eerie depths.

Alternatively, White Sands’ glistening sand dunes will make you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a remote, otherworldly planet with its pure white sands and surreal landscapes. These two national parks offer adventure, natural beauty, and unique experiences that are sure to make your visit unforgettable.

National Parks in Texas

Texas may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of national parks, but Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains are two of the Lone Star State’s crown jewels. Guadalupe Mountains National Park boasts the highest peak in Texas, as well as a diverse range of plant and animal life.

Big Bend encompasses a vast expanse of rugged terrain that includes everything from desert landscapes to lush mountain forests. In these parks, visitors can enjoy nature and see the amazing beauty of West Texas.

How to Get to the National Parks in Texas and New Mexico

For easy access to the national parks in Texas and New Mexico, El Paso International Airport is your best option. This vibrant airport sees millions of travelers annually and provides a broad selection of flights from destinations all over the United States.

You will definitely need a car to explore the national parks in Texas and New Mexico. If you need a rental car, check  Discover Cars  for the latest availability and pricing from all of the major car rental brands.

National Parks in Texas and New Mexico: 10-Day Itinerary

Embark on an epic 10-day journey through the rugged terrain and stunning landscapes of Texas and New Mexico’s national parks. Start your adventure at Big Bend National Park, where you’ll hike through canyons, soak in natural hot springs, and stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the country.

From there, head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to the highest peak in Texas and breathtaking views of the Chihuahuan Desert. Next, explore the stunningly beautiful underground world at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Finally, end your epic national parks road trip at the glistening White Sands National Park.

This itinerary is perfect for nature lovers, adventurers, and anyone who wants to experience the natural beauty of Texas and New Mexico. This itinerary also visits national monuments in the area to add history to your trip.

Day 1: El Paso, Texas to Terlingua, Texas

For this itinerary, we are going to assume that you will be flying into El Paso. Before leaving El Paso, spend a little time at the Chamizal National Memorial to learn all about the settlement of the boundary dispute between the United States and Mexico. The Chamizal National Memorial Cultural Center displays exhibits to teach the history of this period.

Next, head on towards Big Bend National Park. If you can snag a reservation, there is lodging available inside the park. If you cannot get reservations, stay in the nearby town of Terlingua. It is almost 5 hours from El Paso to Terlingua.

If you cannot wait to get started on your adventure and love the outdoors, add some time to your day and stop at Big Bend Ranch State Park before driving to Terlingua. It is a beautiful, unique, and peaceful place to explore. With sweeping views of the Rio Grande Valley and rugged desert terrain, visitors are treated to a special experience in the park.

• Day 2: Big Bend National Park

All visitors to Big Bend must experience the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – a picturesque highway winding for 30 miles along the western border of the park. Start your Big Bend National Park adventure with this drive through the rugged landscape.

From panoramic vistas to spectacular desert landscapes, you will be awe-struck by the natural splendor around every corner. From your vehicle, you can take in all of its beauty or step out and explore some trails on foot. The 1-mile Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off Trail and 1.5-mile Santa Elena Canyon Overlook Trail are popular hikes in this part of the park.

Words simply cannot do this place justice; it’s something that has to be experienced firsthand!

• Day 3: Big Bend National Park

Nestled in the heart of Big Bend National Park lies a natural wonderland known as Chisos Basin . This oasis of greenery and wildlife is a must-visit destination in the park. Whether you’re hiking to the top of Emory Peak, exploring the winding trails, or simply admiring the sunset from Window View Trail, Chisos Basin deserves a day of your time.

Lose yourself in the views from Lost Mine Trail , a 4.8-mile round-trip hike. With an approximate 3-hour completion time, your day will be filled with stunning desert and mountain sights that won’t soon be forgotten.

The Window Trail is another popular hike in the Chisos Mountains. It is 5.6 miles round trip and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

If you have spare time and a high-clearance vehicle, you may want to take Grapevine Hills Road to hike the 2.2-mile round-trip trek to Balanced Rock.

Day 4: Big Bend National Park

Spend your third day in Big Bend exploring the east side of this scenic park. Here, you’ll find the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, Panther Junction Visitor Center, and the Rio Grande Villiage.

Step back in time at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit as you explore the fossils uncovered from Big Bend’s Ancient Age! With specimens on display and vivid artwork, this educational exhibit brings history to life— perfect for those visiting with kids.

Get a crash course in the unique beauty and history of Big Bend when you visit Panther Junction Visitor Center . From interactive exhibits that explain its geological past to an onsite park orientation video, it’s your one-stop shop for all things Big Bend! Plus, spend some time in their extensive gift shop.

Visitors of Big Bend National Park have the unique opportunity to cross an international boundary and explore Mexico . With your passport handy, head across the Rio Grande river for a few hours to enjoy some Mexican cuisine and souvenir shopping.

There are multiple short trails to do while you are in the Rio Grande Villiage area. With the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail , you’ll explore some incredible plant and animal life from start to finish in just 30 minutes. Plus, it’s accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Another short trail worth checking out is the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail at the campground nearby. It might only be a 0.75-mile loop but this trail promises a lot with bird-watching opportunities and sunset views.

The Boquillas Canyon Trail gives you a bird’s eye view of the majestic Rio Grande as it winds through the landscape. If an easy hike with some impressive scenery is what you’re looking for, this 1.4-mile round-trip trail won’t disappoint.

Hot Springs

To end your day, treat yourself to a serene experience at the Rio Grande Hot Springs ! Enjoy an easy 2-mile drive down scenic gravel roads, then take in all that nature has to offer as you hike half a mile round trip to the thermal waters. Relax and unwind in the comforting warmth of these natural phenomena while admiring magnificent surroundings.

For more information on visiting Big Bend National Park, read the full blog post here.

Day 5: Greater Big Bend Area

Day 5 of this 10-day national parks in Texas and New Mexico road trip takes you to your next destination, Carlsbad. It takes about 5 hours to drive from Terlingua to Carlsbad.

However, there are a few towns and attractions that are worth checking out along the way. Depending on your interests, add a few of these towns to your trip to fill up your day.

Spend some time in Alpine at the Museum of the Big Bend learning the natural and human history of the area.

Marathon is home to the historic 1927 Gage Hotel and Gardens. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, stop by to see the 26-acre oasis of fountains and flowers.

The Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa is a landmark that holds significant historical importance. The school was a segregated institution that catered only to Hispanic children during a time when racial segregation was at its peak in the United States.

Marfa is also home to Prada Marfa, a permanent sculpture art installation. It looks like a Prada store sitting all by itself in the middle of the desert. Very unique.

There is much to see in Fort Davis , including the stunning Davis Mountain State Park and Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center . Discover the history of the area at the Fort Davis National Historic Site . And, participate in a special program at the McDonald Observatory .

Your final destination is Carlsbad, New Mexico. This will be your base for the next 3 nights.

Day 6: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers plenty of opportunities to take in the breathtaking scenery, explore its natural wonders and have a whole lot of outdoor fun. Whether you’re exploring this rugged area’s history or summiting the highest peak in Texas; countless incredible experiences are awaiting you here!

The park features five distinct regions, each with its own highlights to see. McKittrick Canyon boasts some of the most breathtaking fall foliage in the region, while Frijoles Ranch serves as a fascinating glimpse into the area’s rich cultural history. The Pine Springs area, including the Pine Springs Visitor Center, is the perfect spot for hikers since it is the gateway to many of the popular hiking trails in the park.

Salt Basin Dunes is a unique part of the park that features white gypsum dunes. Finally, Dog Canyon, located 70 miles from the main area of the park, serves as a peaceful and secluded spot perfect for a quiet retreat from the daily grind.

Whatever your interests may be, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is worth a day of exploring.

For more information on visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park, read the full blog post here.

Day 7: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers a unique mix of nature and adventure. Hikers will appreciate the scenic trails, while everyone can take in the stunning natural beauty on a self-guided tour through the cave’s natural entrance to its depths.

The park’s visitor center has some nice exhibits explaining the cave system including a replica of the path into the cave. In addition to the self-guided tour, there are also ranger-guided tours available on a limited basis.

The bat flight program is a highlight of the park from late May through October. Don’t miss it if you are visiting during that time.

For more information on visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park, read the full blog post here.

Day 8: Roswell to Alamogordo

On your way out of town, stop at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park in Carlsbad. It is a native wildlife zoo with more than 40 species of animals to observe. In addition to the animals, you can learn about the stunning flora that is specific to the area’s ecosystem.

Next up on the itinerary is a visit to the quirky town of Roswell. It is a little out of the way but worth a stop. As you might already know, Roswell is famous for being the site of an alleged alien spaceship crash. In addition to the aliens all around town, there are other attractions worth visiting.

The International UFO Museum tells the entire story of the crash and has some fun photo ops set up. The Roswell UFO Spacewalk is another out-of-this-world activity. This blacklight experience features special effects and animatronics.

To keep the space theme going, make sure to watch a show at the Robert H Goddard Planetarium . It is located in the Roswell Museum & Art Center . You might as well stay and check out the museum exhibits, too.

If you are more interested in outdoor attractions, there are a few options to choose from near Roswell including the Bottomless Lakes State Park , Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge , and J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary and Nature Center .

When you are done exploring Roswell, drive an additional 2 hours to Alamogordo. This is a good base for the next 2 nights.

Day 9: White Sands National Park

Start your day in Alamogordo with a visit to the Museum of Space History . From historic spacecraft and spacesuits to interactive exhibits and immersive displays, this interesting museum is worth a visit even if you aren’t a huge aerospace fan.

Next, spend the rest of the day at White Sands National Park . Dunes Drive, the most renowned attraction at the park, offers spectacular views of the landscape as it winds through the rolling sand dunes.

For a thrilling experience, rent a sled and slide down the many dunes. Or if you’re looking for something more adventurous, take a hike on one of the park’s trails! You can explore the rugged landscape while being rewarded with beautiful views along the way.

Make sure to stay in the park to experience the sunset. There is something special about the orange glow over the dunes. A trip to White Sands National Park is an absolute must!

For more information on visiting White Sands National Park, read the full blog post here.

Day 10: Las Cruces and El Paso

Alamogordo to El Paso is about a 1.5-hour drive. Depending on how much time you have to get to the airport, stopping at Las Cruces on the way back to El Paso might be worth it.

Las Cruces offers a variety of activities for nature enthusiasts. One must-visit destination is the 935-acre Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park , where visitors can immerse themselves in the unique flora and fauna of the desert.

For those interested in prehistoric history, the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument is a must-see. This site contains a vast deposit of fossilized footprints from the Paleozoic Era. Additionally, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument offers a scenic landscape to hike and explore. With so many natural wonders to explore, Las Cruces is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventurers.

For indoor attractions in Las Cruces, check out one of the many museums in town. These include the Las Cruces Museum of Art , Railroad Museum , New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum , Museum of Nature and Science , and Old Mesilla .

Finish this amazing road trip through the four National Parks in Texas and New Mexico by driving the final hour back to El Paso to catch a plane back home.

Tips for a Desert Road Trip

Here are some tips to make sure you are fully prepared for this desert road trip itinerary.

Plan Your Route in Advance

One of the most important things to do before embarking on a desert road trip is to plan your route in advance. This will help you to avoid getting lost or running out of gas, as cell phone signals can be spotty in many areas. Be sure to map out your route and check the weather before heading out.

Bring Plenty of Water

When traveling through the desert, it is essential to bring plenty of water with you. It is recommended that each person traveling in the vehicle have at least 1 gallon of water per day.

Pack Food that Won’t Spoil

It is important to pack food that will not spoil in the heat, such as canned goods, dried fruits, and nuts. It is also a good idea to pack snacks that are high in energy, such as granola bars or trail mix.

Bring a First-Aid Kit

When traveling in remote areas, it is always a good idea to have a first-aid kit with you. This should include items such as bandages, antiseptic cream, and pain relievers. If someone in your party has a medical condition, be sure to bring along any necessary medications.

Pack Ample Clothing

When packing for a desert road trip, it is important to pack ample clothing that you can layer. This includes long-sleeved shirts and pants for the cool evenings, as well as hats and sunglasses for the harsh daytime rays. Also, make sure to pack comfortable shoes for hiking as well as sandals to give your feet a break at the end of the day.

Bring Sunscreen

Another essential item to pack for a desert road trip is sunscreen . The sun can be very harsh in desert regions and can cause sunburns very quickly. Be sure to pack sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it liberally throughout the day

When to Visit West Texas and New Mexico

Filled with vibrant colors, rugged mountains, and desert landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, the beauty of Texas and New Mexico is truly remarkable. However, with varying temperatures and weather patterns, it’s important to plan your visit accordingly.

For those looking to experience the rugged terrain, crisp air, and stunning sunsets, the best time to visit would be in the fall and spring when the temperatures are mild. Winter can also be pleasant but the temperatures can be more unpredictable.

When exploring desert areas, summers can be especially sweltering and uncomfortable. To ensure you remain cool during your travels, it is wise to limit outdoor activities during the afternoon hours when temperatures are at their highest.

How to Modify This Itinerary

Here are some suggestions on how to modify the itinerary.

Opposite Direction

If you plan to do this road trip in the opposite direction, here is the itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in El Paso and drive to Alamogordo through Las Cruces
• Day 2: White Sands National Park
• Day 3: Drive to Carlsbad through Roswell
• Day 4: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Day 5: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Day 6: Big Bend National Park Greater Area
• Day 7: Big Bend National Park
• Day 8: Big Bend National Park
• Day 9: Big Bend National Park
• Day 10: Big Bend to El Paso

7-Day Itinerary

If you only have 7 days to explore the national parks in Texas and New Mexico, here is a suggested itinerary to see the 4 national parks.

• Day 1: Arrive in El Paso and drive to Big Bend
• Day 4: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Day 5: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Day 6: White Sands National Park
• Day 7: Drive to El Paso

Final Thoughts: National Parks in Texas and New Mexico

Taking a road trip through the national parks in Texas and New Mexico is an unforgettable experience. You will be surrounded by nature’s beauty and have opportunities to capture memories that will last a lifetime. From hikes to breathtaking views, the easy access to both Texas and New Mexico’s national parks makes them ideal for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. A trip here is sure to be filled with adventure, learning, and lots of fun.

• One Day at Hot Springs National Park
• Mammoth Cave with Kids: A One-Day Itinerary
• Visiting Indiana Dunes National Park
• Colorado National Parks Road Trip

Caitlin is a passionate traveler and the founder of Twin Family Travels, a blog helping families with planning trips both big and small. As a mom of twins, Caitlin loves spending time together as a family. She finds joy in discovering new places from day trips to far-away destinations. Hiking beautiful trails and meandering through museums are some of her favorite ways to spend her time. She provides valuable tips and recommendations that assist others in planning wonderful travel experiences.

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A West Texas and New Mexico National Park Road Trip

Ready for an epic road trip adventure? We’re excited to share our West Texas and New Mexico National Park Road Trip with you. It is a fantastic week on the road through 4 National Parks. Without a doubt, you’ll want to pack your bags for this adventure.

This 7-day itinerary will take you through 4 stunningly beautiful National Parks. You’ll explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park in West Texas. And just over the state line, you’ll visit both of New Mexico’s parks: White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Along the way, you’ll discover some of the most stunning landscapes in the Southwest! Each park has its unique charm and offers plenty of things to do and see.

This Desert Road Trip Itinerary

When planning your itinerary, it’s easiest to think of this desert road trip as a lasso (because you know we are in western Texas!). Guadalupe Mountains National Park, White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park create the loop, with Big Bend at the rope’s end.

You can start at either end of the lasso. Our decision to start with the loop was determined by when we could get campground reservations. I was late planning this trip, so I had to be creative in cobbling together available campgrounds. Camping in National Parks continues to be in extremely high demand, so you need to plan as far ahead as possible.

7 Day Itinerary

• Day 1 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Day 2 Guadalupe Mountains National Park AM, Travel PM
• Day 3 White Sands National Park AM, Travel PM, Carlsbad Caverns evening
• Day 4 Carlsbad Caverns AM, Travel PM
• Day 5 Big Bend National Park
• Day 6 Big Bend National Park
• Day 7 Big Bend National Park

Day 1 and 2: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Our first glimpse was a stunning view of El Capitan as we headed towards Guadalupe Mountains National Park along Highway 62. (If you want to capture this fantastic shot, it’s from the roadside picnic area about 4 miles south of the Pine Springs Visitor Center.)

Guadalupe Peak is tucked right behind El Capitan. At 8,751 feet elevation, it’s the highest point in Texas. Many of our camping neighbors were in the park to climb Guadalupe Peak. Although we skipped that hike, reports were a strenuous hike due to the steep switchbacks covering the quick 3,000-foot elevation gain. But all unanimously reported that it was well worth the climb for the spectacular view.

Getting to Guadalupe Mountains NP

We traveled across Interstate 10 from Houston to start our road trip. Oh, my, it is a long way across Texas. We played plenty of road trip games to help pass the time, as you can imagine. After San Antonio, gas and snacks start getting pricey and hard to find. I’m glad we stocked up on our camping food before leaving Houston.

If you are hoping to avoid that long drive, you can fly to San Antonio or Albuquerque, where you can easily rent campers, Or right in the middle of the loop, you’ll find the El Paso airport, where you can grab a rental car.

Where to Stay at Guadalupe Mountains National Park

We spent 2 nights camping in the Pine Springs Campground next to the visitor center. Pine Springs is a small campground and feels a little cramped. The RV spots are just spaces on an asphalt parking lot with picnic areas around the perimeter. Luckily we were in the tent area, which gave individual tent sites a small personal place with brush and cactus breaking the space between other sites.

However, Pine Springs Campground is the perfect spot if you plan to hike Guadalupe Peak , as the trailhead starts at the end of the campground. We also found it convenient for the most popular day hikes. Keep in mind that this is desert camping so expect little shade, hot days and cool nights.

Dog Canyon Campground is another small campground in Guadalupe Mountains NP. It is in a very remote section with only 13 spots for tents or small campers. The higher elevation of Dog Canyon means it is cooler in the summer, making it a great place to tent camp for summer road trips. There are several excellent hikes in this area. However, the remote location makes it difficult to enjoy the most popular parts of the park.

There aren’t many other choices nearby for visitors to the Guadalupe Mountains. For other camping and lodging options, the best bet is to check out the town of Carlsbad. It’s only about an hour away and jam-packed with lodging and dining options. You can check hotel and rental availability in Carlsbad here .

Things to Do in the Guadalupe Mountains

We spent a day and a half in the park, which was about right for a visit that did not include one of the strenuous hikes.

Pine Springs Visitor Center

We first stopped at the Pine Springs Visitor Center. Although small, they did a great job with their educational displays to help visitors understand what is unique in this park.

Hike McKittrick Canyon Trail to Pratt Cabin

We then headed to McKittrick Canyon, about a 15-minute drive to the trailhead from the visitor center. This canyon is the perfect hike to start your visit. Most people, including us, complete the moderate 4.8-mile (round-trip) hike to Pratt Cabin. Some hikers go on to the Grotto, adding another 2 miles. And for a real strenuous push, you can hike into the backcountry, meeting up with multiple other trails.

The hike to Pratt Cabin starts with a tremendous educational kiosk, complete with a recording of Wallace Pratt’s voice about building the cabin. The trail itself is all in full sun so make sure you have plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen no matter what season. Hiking in the heat of the desert can be cruel. We wandered through the cactus and along the dry creek bed. We appreciated the random juniper that had grown tall enough to provide a bit of shade for short breaks.

The trail ends at a beautiful little oasis where the Pratt Cabin sits near the original creek bank. We enjoyed our hiking lunch on the big front porch. During peak seasons, volunteers give tours of the house, but we settled for looking through the windows. Most impressive was they had running water, toilets and electricity in this remote location. This cabin, far from anywhere, was quite luxurious.

Pinery Butterfield Stage Station Ruins

We toured the Pinery Butterfield Stage Station Ruins before going back to the campground. It’s a short interpretive hike documenting the life of the old stagecoach runs. Then we headed back to the campsite for a relaxing evening.

Explore Frijole Ranch and Smith Spring Trail

Since we only had 1/2 day on our second day in the park, we got moving early and headed to the Frijole Ranch History Museum, where we planned to take the Smith Spring Trail Day Hike.

Once again, we spent a lot of time looking through windows as the museum was closed. Outside signage helped explain how this ranch utilized the springs to thrive in the middle of the desert. Using irrigation from the springs, the family had a booming fruit and vegetable business from their little oasis.

The Smith Spring Trail is a 2.3-mile loop that swings by the Manzanita Spring. The family used the Manzanita Spring, near the ranch, to create a large pond where they enjoyed boating and swimming. Hiking on to the Smith Spring was another hot, full sun hike. Shade was hard to find, so we were pretty excited when we found the spring hiding in an oasis of beautiful maple shade trees.

More About the Guadalupe Mountains

This park is primarily a backpacker’s park. The itinerary I listed above is almost everything to do for a casual visitor. There are no roads to take you through or deep into the park. So for a visitor who wants to do some light hiking and explore well-presented informational displays, a day and a half is plenty of time.

If you want to go backpacking deeper into the park, there are a plethora of interesting trails. Just remember this is the desert, so come prepared!

Day 3: White Sands National Park

By early afternoon our road trip moved on to White Sands National Park. You have to see this park to believe it. You’ll find massive dunes of gypsum sand that have engulfed 275 square miles of desert. As the largest gypsum dunefield in the world, it’s hard to imagine the endless sea of white until you experience it yourself.

Getting to White Sands National Park

It was a 3-hour drive between White Sands and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. We popped over to El Paso and then headed into Southern New Mexico to find White Sands. The drive through the desert felt like it went on forever because the scenery never changed.

The massive amount of litter along the roads near El Paso surprised me. It turns out that this part of the desert is exceptionally windy in the spring, and it’s near impossible to capture a piece of paper once it’s airborne. I found out that the city spends almost $2 million a year trying to keep up with this mess. We stopped to top off the gas tank in El Paso because we heard reports that gas stations can be few and far between around all 4 of these National Parks.

Where to Stay Near White Sands

There is no camping in White Sands, although you’ll find plenty of RV camping and lodging choices nearby in Alamogordo. You can check lodging availability in Alamogordo here . Finding a good tent campsite is a little more challenging. Many tent campers head to the nearby Lincoln National Forest for a spot. However, we were thrilled with our tent site in Oliver Lee State Park .

As expected, it was shadeless arid desert camping. But we were surprised to discover that the campground sits up on a ridge with beautiful views of the sunset over the desert landscapes. The sites in this New Mexico State Park were generous, and the campground included showers.

Let me just take a moment to share that I feared rattlesnakes and scorpions sneaking into our tent this whole trip. So when I drove over a rattlesnake as I entered the campground, it did nothing to alleviate that fear.

Things to Do in White Sands National Park

We spent 1/2 day in White Sands National Park, which is plenty of time unless you plan to hike into the dunes. Established in 1933, White Sands National Monument became one of our National Parks in 2019.

The White Sands National Park Visitor Center

Stopping at the Visitor Center to watch the introductory movie about White Sands is a must. It’s almost impossible to comprehend the significance of this park without seeing that film. For example, did you know the sand is not really “sand” as we usually know it? Beach sand is from silica, while the sand in White Sands NP is gypsum. And gypsum doesn’t absorb heat like silica, so the sand here stays cool to your feet all summer.

Cruising Dunes Drive

The main attraction in White Sands is a cruise down the scenic drive: Dunes Drive. You’ll find an excellent narrated tour on the NPS app that gives information about each stop. I’m glad I thought to download the self-guided tour before we arrived at the park, as there was zero cell service beyond the visitor center. We spent about 3 hours on the drive, stopping along the way to embrace this incredible National Park.

Interdune Boardwalk

You’ll discover about a dozen places to stop and explore along Dunes Drive. Our favorite stop was the Interdune Boardwalk. Situated at the border where the desert and dunes meet, the information walk along the accessible boardwalk is an interesting way to start your foray into the dunes. We kept looking for animal prints with no success. However, you will find various desert plant life hanging on in the arid soil.

Sledding on the Dunes

We regretted skipping out on the sledding when we visited Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, so we would not miss the opportunity here. You can buy a saucer sled in the gift shop next to the entrance. Warning, the sleds are pricey, but we decided it was our donation to the park that day.

You can sled down the white sand dunes anywhere in the park. We chose to try the steeper inclines near the end of Dunes Drive. It was silly fun, and we definitely got our exercise climbing back up the dunes.

Hiking in Great Sand Dunes

We chose only to follow the short nature trail and climb dunes while sledding. If you want to explore the gypsum sand dunes, make sure you have a clear sight of a landmark to return to. Once you get in the white sand, it all looks the same.

Keep in mind that there is no hiking path like a forest trail. The sand shifts all the time. For a marked hike, many visitors try the Alkali Flat Trail . It’s a strenuous 5-mile loop, going up and down the dunes. In the spring, when winds are high, this trail is extra tricky because of blowing sand that hides the route markers and cuts into your skin.

More About White Sands National Park

First, a word of caution when scheduling your trip to White Sands… the park is surrounded by military bases. When missile testing is going on, the park must close for safety, usually for a couple of hours. The schedule is clear on the White Sands National Park website so give it a check.

Although we didn’t stay to enjoy it, ranger-led sunset strolls and full moon nights are a fantastic way to experience White Sands. So if you happen to visit close to the park, check the schedule.

Day 4: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Hidden deep under the Chihuahuan Desert is the Carlsbad Cavern, the next stop on our road trip. But that’s not all there is to this amazing National Park.

Getting to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

After grabbing a few groceries in nearby Alamogordo in the afternoon, we headed east, crossing through the Lincoln National Forest. After several days of desert, it was relaxing to drive through real shade trees and fresh green grass.

Along Highway 82, several quaint small towns have lodging and dining opportunities. If you had an extra day, it would be pleasant to spend a night in one of the Bed and Breakfasts or a Forest Service Campground and explore. We were surprised to find a ski slope in Cloudcroft, with the last remnants of snow melting on the mountainside.

Where to Stay When Visiting Carlsbad Caverns

We were surprised at how developed the city of Carlsbad was. It truly looks tiny on the map. However, we saw a large selection of restaurants and motels as we passed through. It is about 1/2 hour north of the park, so a good option for a home base when visiting Carlsbad Caverns. You can check Lodging availability for Carlsbad here .

We moved on to Whites City for the night, where we stayed at Whites City Cavern Inn. Yup, we decided a night with hot showers and comfy beds was in order! The motel room was recently remodeled, and our stay was perfect. Whites City is only a few minutes away from the park entrance. It’s a small town, with limited services, but oh so convenient. A cute restaurant next to the hotel serves breakfast and lunch. And an RV Park sits across the street near a small shopping center.

Things to Do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

We pulled into the motel at about 6:15 in the evening. As I checked in, the gal at the counter said we should go straight to the park for the 6:30 Bat Flight Program. It had just started for the season the night before because bats had begun to return to the park. Even though we were exhausted, we didn’t think twice about taking her advice. We headed into the park without looking at our room or getting dinner.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Bat Flight Program

An opportunity to see the evening Bat Flight out of Carlsbad Cavern was quite the surprise. Generally, the bats don’t start returning to the cave until later in May, so we hadn’t planned on this exciting event.

Our ranger shared that the bats we would see are not the regular Carlsbad population. These bats were just passing through on their migration to other locations and using the cave as a “hotel”. Based on the previous night’s activity, they only expected a few dozen bats to emerge from the cave entrance at dusk in search of their dinner. We were all in for a surprise when several thousand bats swarmed out of the cave! The scene was super cool. The population of bats that habitat Carlsbad Cavern is migratory bats, unlike most bats in the US that hibernate for the winter. They return in May, raise their babies and then leave again in the fall.

If we were impressed with 2,000 bats, imagine the experience mid-summer when 400,000 bats emerge at dusk in search of food. Yes, all those zeros are correct.

The Bat Flight Program takes place in a small outdoor theatre near the entrance to the cave. It’s free, and no reservations are required. Park Rangers will talk about the park’s history and share details of bat life in Carlsbad during the most active season. It’s something not to be missed.

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns

Walking through Carlsbad Caverns Big Room is breathtaking. The open cave is enormous. It is the largest single cave chamber in the United States accessible for public tours. As in any cave, you’ll find stalactites, stalagmites and other structures with names to capture your imagination. But what stood out most to me was how open and spacious the cave was. You probably won’t get claustrophobic here!

We choose to walk down into the cave through the Natural Entrance. It’s a 1.25-mile hike that is a pretty good workout. The park service says to plan an hour as you cover the distance of a 75-foot tall building. The good news is the path is paved with a sturdy handrail and includes many switchbacks to reduce your angle of descent. I suspect we took well over an hour because we often stopped to look at the intriguing features in the cave.

If that hike sounds too much for you, feel free to use the elevator that takes you straight to the big room. Part of the big room is wheelchair accessible, and you’ll find shortcuts if you don’t want to walk the whole trail. Currently, there are no ranger-guided tours, and other cavern sections are not open for visitors. Hopefully, those options will open up again soon! Gratefully, we found rangers to be available throughout our walk to answer questions. And you can purchase a self-guided audio tour in the gift shop that many visitors enjoy.

Hiking in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Although we chose to skip hiking here, there are a dozen desert hiking trails into the Guadalupe Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert worth exploring if you have extra time in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Some are short, like the paved trail to Walnut Canyon Overlook and others are long, like the Guadalupe Ridge Trail that spans 100 miles of backcountry.

How Long Should You Stay in Carlsbad Caverns National Park?

We’d suggest an overnight stay if the bats are back in town so you can experience the impressive Bat Flight. Visiting the cave is a full 1/2 day of adventure.

Days 5, 6 and 7: Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is like no other and was the last stop on our New Mexico and West Texas road trip. Discover everything you love about the desert; gorgeous blooming cactus, endless expanses of sand and a calm feeling of deep isolation. Then toss in amazing views of deep canyons cut by raging water and the tall, stark Chisos mountains in the background. And at the end of all roads, you meet the Rio Grande, which defines the park’s southern boundary for 118 miles.

Hundreds of migratory birds pass through the park each year, making it a nature lovers delight.

Getting to Big Bend National Park

From Carlsbad Caverns, it’s a 4-hour drive on a primarily 2-lane highway to Big Bend National Park. Although we probably shouldn’t have been, we were surprised by the many oil wells we passed. And most of the road traffic was oil company trucks.

Fort Stockton along Interstate 10 is your last chance to stock up on supplies. After this town, gas stations and grocery stores are pretty thin, although not impossible to find if you are willing to pay premium prices.

Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park

According to the Park Rangers, the best time to visit Big Bend is winter. Why? Because the desert sun is blistering here during the summer with daytime temperatures well over 100 degrees. There is very little shade in the park, especially on the hiking trails.

Even during our visit in early April, we struggled with the heat, and I overheated on one of our short hikes. The visitor centers in the southern points of the park, Rio Grand Village and Castolon, close in the summer due to the heat.

The Chisos Basin stays open as it is a tad cooler due to the higher elevation. But caution, that place was still hot in April. In contrast, friends who have visited in the winter months have found hiking much more comfortable.

Where to Stay in Big Bend National Park

Lodging options are limited because Big Bend National Park is so isolated. However, if you are up for trying new things, this is the place to be.

Big Bend Hotels

Within the park, Chisos Mountains Lodge is the only choice. You can find other lodging options about 45 minutes out of the park: to the north in Marathon and the west in Terlingua, Terlingua Ghost Town and Lajitas. The choices are a mix of unique lodges and rentals. You won’t find chain hotels here! Here are some options to check out in Terlingua which will put you close to the park.

Big Bend Camping

But as you know, tent camping is our thing! We explored the three campgrounds in the park, and for desert camping, they are perfect. The sites were chosen because they are a little oasis in the desert, providing shade in the day’s heat. Unfortunately, all were closed during our visit because of road resurfacing.

Primitive Road Campsites

So we tried something new! Primitive road campsites. Big Bend National Park is the only park we’ve encountered this option, so we were unsure what we would experience. However, we were driving our 4×4 truck on this road trip, so we decided to try it.

These campsites are on dirt or gravel roads that are rarely maintained. So the ruts are deep in many places. It took us over an hour to drive the 7 miles off the main road to our campsite on Old Ore Road. And the park service did not exaggerate the difficulty of navigating the terrain and the need for a high lift heavy-duty 4×4.

Our campsite (La Noria) was amazing! Unlike our night in Guadalupe National Park, where we could clearly hear the bedtime conversation of other campers, we were all alone. It was so peaceful. The sunset was beautiful. And I woke in the night to a sky with millions of stars filling our tent window.

We talked to another camper who spent a week in Big Bend, spending each night at a different Primitive Road Campsite. In hindsight, that would be the way to go if you have the vehicle for it so that you can taste each area of the park.

Camping Outside Big Bend

We spent our other 2 nights camping in a private tent-only campground near Terlingua, Rancho Topanga . The owners were super sweet, and it was convenient to the hiking on the west side of Big Bend.

Keep in mind that all camping will be desert camping with little to no shade. If you plan to be at your campsite during the day, bring along an awning, or you will cook! We tried to be out of camp by 10 am and not return until evening to avoid the hot sun.

A very popular camping option is Big Bend Ranch State Park near Terlingua. You’ll also find many other RV and tent camping options in the Terlingua and Lajitas areas.

Things to do in Big Bend National Park

Keeping in stride with the reputation of the Lone Star State, Big Bend is one huge National Park. The park covers over 800,000 acres which is about twice the size of the city of Houston. So we wanted to make sure we planned plenty of time to explore this park.

We found it easy to divide the park into three sections and spend one day exploring each area:

• The Rio Grande Village area
• Chisos Basin
• The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to the Rio Grande

This park is big enough to easily write your own adventure plan ranging from 3 days to several weeks. It would be hard to see much in less than 3 days.

Rio Grande Village

Our day started with breakfast at our remote campsite. With the whole place to ourselves, it was hard to leave. But by 9:30 am, the sun was hot, and we found the truck’s air-conditioning calling our name. Since we were close to Rio Grande Village, we spent our first day exploring that area. We found plenty to do for a full day. Rio Grande Village is in the southeast corner of Big Bend. It might just be the hottest part of the park, and in the summer months, the visitor center is closed.

Even in the heat of summer, the campground is open. There is a well-stocked camp store that includes showers and a gas station. Of course, we grabbed a soda and an ice cream!

Daniels Ranch -Rio Grande Village Area

While in the village, wander over to Daniels Ranch. Here you can see an adobe house, part of the original ranch. But we found most interesting here is the irrigation system from the early 20th century that made this large farm possible Today, the irrigation from the river keeps the village area green, supplies water to the campground and helps shade trees survive.

Visiting Boquillas, Mexico – Rio Grande Village Area

Bring your passport, and you can cross the Mexico border to visit the village of Boquillas, Mexico. You can pay a small fee for a rowboat ride across the Rio Grande, or when waters are low, you can wade across. Once on the other side, Mexican vendors offer donkey and horse rides to the village, which sounds quite fun. However, since it’s only 1/2 mile, you can choose to walk. Merchants in the town sell their crafts and food.

We had looked forward to this side trip… however, we messed up on 2 levels. We forgot our passports, and we were there on a wrong day. The hours and days the Boquillas borde r Port of Entry is open are limited.

Boquillas Canyon – Rio Grande Village Area

With its craggy canyon walls and sandy beaches, Boquillas Canyon is a popular hike. The trail is a moderate 1.4-mile round trip walk. While the beginning is relatively steep, it levels out to an easy walk across a sandy beach along the river.

The challenge with this hike is the heat. The hike is full sun, and the canyon gets hot by early afternoon. However, most people jumped in the river to cool off! Brad joined them for a swim while I enjoyed a break in the little bit of shade we found.

We loved seeing wild horses along the river bank. Wild mules also enjoy the waters in Boquillas Canyon.

Hot Springs – Rio Grande Village Area

Our last stop in the Rio Grande Village area was the Hot Springs. Brad is a hot springs junkie, so we couldn’t miss an opportunity to soak in the warm waters!

In 1909 J.O. Langford opened a business on this site, offering healing baths in the 105-degree hot springs for 10 cents per day. Today, you’ll see the remains of some of the original buildings. We were surprised that the giant palm trees he planted to create a resort environment are still thriving. The spring itself is within the foundation walls of the original bathhouse.

It’s a short 1/2 mile walk to the Hot Springs from the nearby parking lot. Hot Springs trail takes you through sand, which makes it a little more work. Wear your bathing suit and enjoy the springs and the stunning view of the Rio Grande.

Chisos Basin Visitor Center

On our second day in Big Bend, we headed to the Chisos Basin. Everything we had read indicated it would be a little cooler here because of the higher elevation. Well… not so much. Maybe because we were there in April, quickly approaching the summer months, but it was still hot as blazes. You’ll find the Visitor Center, camp store, the Chisos Mountains Lodge, and Restaurant in a small village setting. Although it’s a worthwhile stop, there isn’t much to explore. While I waited for Brad to pack for our hike, I was entertained by a busy road runner. He had discovered that bugs on the grills of parked vehicles were an easy lunch!

Hiking Chisos Mountains – Chisos Basin Area

Some of the best hiking in the park takes off from the visitor center. The hikes range from the easy 0.3-mile Window View Trail to the extremely strenuous 14-mile South Rim, leading to stunning desert vistas. With over 3 dozen backcountry hike-in camping sites, it quickly becomes apparent why backpackers love winter hiking in Big Bend.

The Window Trail – Chisos Basin Area

We chose to hike the Window Trail, a 5.6 mile in and out that started at the Visitor Center parking lot. It was amazing! First, the hike was hot and in full sun for much of the trip, so we took our time stopping to cool down any time we found a little shade. But the destination is so worth the effort. You end in a slot canyon with just a split between the rocks looking out over the desert. Stunning!

The April heat drained our energy, so we relaxed for a bit and then headed back to camp for the evening.

Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

We got an early start on our last day because we needed to be on the road back to Houston by mid-afternoon. Our primary goal was to hike into the Santa Elena Canyon. To get there, we followed the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

This scenic drive covers 30 miles, taking you to the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon. We chose to drive to the end and then stop along the way back so we could better monitor our limited time. If you have more time, plan to spend a whole day exploring along this road. There is a beautiful scenic overlook and several interesting short historic sites within a short walk.

We stopped at The Sam Nail Ranch, once a working farm in this area. Portions of buildings still exist, and the windmill is turning. We only spent a few minutes in the Castolon Historic District. I wish we had more time to explore.

We also snuck in a quick drive through the Castolon Cottonwood, the tent-only campground, which was a lush green oasis hidden in the desert. If you can get a reservation here, it’s worth a night’s stay.

Santa Elana Canyon – Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Area

Santa Elana Canyon is not to be missed on your road trip to Big Bend National Park. The Rio Grande River carved a 1,500-foot vertical chasm into the limestone. It is stunning! You can view the canyon from an overlook along the scenic drive. But if you can handle the 1.7-mile round trip hike, it is a highlight of the park. The beginning of the hike is a steep climb up a staircase of switchbacks and then down the other side. But once you get over the cliff, the rest of the hike is level sand.

Along with dozens of other hikers, we waded in the Rio Grande to cool down. As we walked through the deep canyon walls, we couldn’t help but be in awe of mother nature’s ability to create immense beauty! What a perfect way to end our Texas and New Mexico Road Trip!

And Just Like That…Our Road Trip through West Texas and New Mexico National Parks Ends

More Tips for Your Road Trip through New Mexico and West Texas

• Although you will be able to find food and gas on this trip, there is quite a distance between stores. So don’t let yourself run low on either.
• Bring lots of water! We brought gallon jugs of water so we could refill our water bottles in addition to having plenty of cooking water.
• Take it slow. It’s going to be hot. Even in the cooler winter months, it’s going to be hot. Be well prepared for hiking in extremely hot weather conditions.
• We don’t recommend taking your dog camping in Big Bend due to the heat. We were glad we left our pup in Houston with family. She would have struggled with the heat. However, we were surprised to find an air-conditioned kennel available free of charge in Carlsbad Caverns NP. I poked my head in and the dogs were very comfy.
• Hiking in heat takes longer and is more strenuous than hiking in good weather, so make sure you have packed your daypack with all the essentials.

This was a great road trip and we were able to see some amazing scenery in the four national parks we visited. If you’re looking for an adventure, I would definitely recommend taking a West Texas and New Mexico National Park Road Trip. You could easily spend more time in each park if you have the time, or add in some of the amazing state parks for more things to do. There’s something for everyone in West Texas and New Mexico!

For more of our National Park Road Trip Adventures, complete with itineraries and things for you to do check out these posts:

• Utah National Park Road Trip: 5 Parks in 5 Days
• Colorado National Park Road Trip: Explore 4 Parks in 1 Week!

And for extra tips for a successful road tip, here’s exactly what you need.

• Travel Games for Adults to keep you busy on the long road.
• Tips for a Successful Road Trip with Your Dog to keep your puppy happy!
• Best Novels Set in National Parks are a great read on the road.

The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. We are crazy about getting outdoors at every possible moment and have decades of experience exploring nature. Our current goal is to visit all 63 US National Parks and just completed #42. WooHoo! Our mission is to help you plan your own adventures and create memories beyond your imagination!

We've teamed up with the National Park Foundation - join the movement to protect our national parks, donate at checkout!

The Perfect Road Trip to See Every U.S. National Park

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

The otherworldly gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument are a memorable experience © Robert Annis / Lonely Planet

Tucked away near the New Mexico–Texas border lie three unique attractions: White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. Visitors can climb to the top of Texas’ highest peak, journey 1000ft below the earth’s surface, or scramble up the world’s largest – perhaps only – gypsum dune fields.

With less than four hours' drive time (Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains are only about 30 minutes apart) to hit all three spots, the region is perfect for time-strapped tourists looking to cross names off their national park bucket list. But while it’s possible to visit all three in a weekend, odds are you’ll find a reason to linger. 

Editor's note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

White Sands National Monument

Although White Sands National Monument  is the most heavily visited out of the three sites, it was under the radar for many years until it officially became the United States' newest national park , and New Mexico 's second, in December of 2019. That it got so little traffic for so many years was a boon for the ecosystem, but unfortunate because it’s easily one of the most unique properties within the National Park Service system.

The white sand – technically it’s gypsum – stretches for miles, forming massive dunes. You’ll have to remind yourself it isn’t snow. The pristine dunes are gorgeous and make for great photos, but depending how crowded the park is that day, you might need to hike a bit to find untrampled spots.

Unlike normal beaches, there isn’t a tide to erase the multitude of footprints and sled tracks left by visitors. Ranger Robin Milne suggests trying to time your visit for after a rain or windstorm, which will give you a fresh canvas.

Buy or rent a plastic sled at the visitor center and start looking for a steep slope for some adventurous fun. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring a compass or, at the very least, know how to use the compass app on your phone. With the exception of the backcountry trail, there are no real trail markers on the dunes, so it’s easy to get lost. Milne says the park conducts between 10 and 15 search and rescue operations each year.

Services are limited inside the park, so you won’t find any restaurants or many food options. Bring snacks or a picnic lunch. If you can, visit during one of their popular full-moon hikes every month. Plan to devote two or three hours wandering the sand dunes.

There are a handful of backcountry camping spots in the park, all of which require about a one-mile hike and a permit – be sure to get there as early as possible to snag your spot. Sorry, RVers, no overnight stays for you – you'll have better luck in nearby Alamogordo.

For those who prefer indoor accommodations, Alamogordo is also full of cabins and casitas you can rent on VRBO.  The White Sands Motel is another lodging favorite with a classic neon sign that's hard to miss.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Unless you have a goal of visiting every US national park, it’s easy to skip Carlsbad Caverns  – but that would be a huge mistake. Carlsbad Cavern’s Big Room is incredible: the trail around the cave stretches more than a mile and takes visitors past fascinating rock formations, stalactites, and even some natural water features.

Many of the most interesting spots are well lit with spotlights, making for dramatic photos. And although the biggest spotlight is on the caves, visitors have access to more than 50 miles of hiking trails on the surface.

The Big Room's self-guided tour is free for visitors with the America the Beautiful pass . Ranger-led hikes will take you to other sections of the caverns (including King's Palace, Left Hand Tunnel, Hall of the White Giant), but you’ll have to pay extra for those tours. 

The Big Room self-guided tour takes 45-90 minutes, depending on how fast you walk, the number of photos you take, and so on. If you have time, skip the elevator down and take the mile-long hike down to the mouth of the cave. The last tour starts around 4 pm, so you need to get your ticket by 3:15 pm.

From late-May through October, the park also offers nightly bat-flight programs, allowing visitors to witness the bats emerge from the cave to feed. Because bats can easily be disturbed by sounds and lights, electronic devices like cell phones and cameras are not allowed. Also, avoid wearing any clothing that's you've previously worn into a cave, even if you've washed it since to help protect bats against white nose syndrome. 

As in White Sands, only backcountry camping is allowed inside the park, but you can park your RV either at Guadeloupe Mountains National Park or Lincoln National Forest, which sits between the two national parks. If you stop in the national forest, be sure to take the quick hike to gorgeous Sitting Bull Falls.

For hotels and vacation rentals , check out the offerings in nearby Carlsbad, New Mexico. If you're road tripping, the Post Time Inn is a hiply renovated motor lodge that's hard to beat.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Despite being so close to Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains National Park only receives about a third the number of visitors, and less than half the visitors of Big Bend National Park, which sits firmly in Texas five hours to the south and far from any major city or airport. That's a shame because the Guadalupe Mountains has a lot going for it.

If you just want to stop at the visitors’ center and take a few photos of the mountains, you can be in and out of the park in an hour. If you want to hike one or more trails, it’s easy to spend an entire day. The park offers quite a few nice hikes, including a nearly 9-mile trek up to Guadalupe Peak, the highest spot in Texas.

The 4-mile Devil’s Hall hike promises some pretty spectacular rock formations, or walk the 3-mile Smith Spring loop that leads to the eponymous watering hole. Even when the spring is running dry, the hike itself is filled with gorgeous views.

Although Guadeloupe Mountains National Park isn’t an officially designated Dark Sky Park like its big brother Big Bend National Park, you can get some spectacular shots of the Milky Way during your visit. Many of the campers in Pine Springs campground will have either a telescope or camera gear. 

Like the other two parks in this road trip, Guadalupe Mountains National Park doesn’t have a restaurant or lodge, so bring your own food. And if you don’t want to hike out to one of 10 designated backcountry campsites, you still have plenty of options.

The Dog Canyon area has 9 tent and 4 RV spots, while Pine Springs has 20 tent and 20 RV sites. There are no hook ups, but water is available. All sites are first-come-first-served. Meanwhile, nearby Carlsbad offers other lodging options.

You might also like: 

The Grand Circle is the ultimate US Southwest road trip   A beginner's guide to backcountry camping The Southwest, USA's 7 best hiking trails 

This article was originally published in November 2019 and updated in January 2021.

This article was first published Nov 21, 2019 and updated Jan 22, 2021.

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Atlas Obsession

A 5 Day New Mexico National Park Road Trip

While it’s always great to have time for extended trips, that’s not always reality. With just five days, it’s possible to do a New Mexico national park road trip. This itinerary is ideal for people who want to spend some time in nature, but don’t have a lot of time to do it. On this itinerary, you’ll visit White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It’s a busy few days, but it is also an awesome trip.

Table of Contents

New Mexico National Park Road Trip

There are several ways to modify this New Mexico national park itinerary, which I’ll talk about later. This itinerary is nearly identical to what I did on my visit. It does have a few modifications, but it’s the itinerary I’d recommend most people to start with. Depending on your hiking abilities, you may want to adjust this itinerary and I’ll discuss options at the end of this post.

Day 1 – Arrive in El Paso

You’ll need to get to El Paso, Texas from wherever you call home. Despite this being a New Mexico national park road trip, we’ll be using El Paso for our start and end point. El Paso is the most convenient airport as all three national parks (in both New Mexico and Texas) on this five day road trip are within a three hour drive from here. Once you arrive, pick up your rental car and drive north to Alamogordo, NM.

If you arrive early enough, you can get a jump on some of the activities at White Sands National Park, but if you don’t have time or are too tired, you’ll have more time tomorrow.

Sleep: Alamogordo, NM

Day 2 – White Sands National Park

You have the morning to explore White Sands National Park . I recommend doing the trails in the front of the park before heading back to do the scenic drive. Once you get to the scenic drive, the front area of the park feels less impressive.

Hike the one mile nature trail and walk the half mile board walk. Continue to the back of the park and drive the scenic loop.

If you have the energy, the Backcountry Trail is a great option. If you do the Backcountry Trail, make sure you have a map since although the trail is signposted, the signs can and do blow over in strong winds. Without those signs, it is incredibly easy to become disorientated and get lost.

Once you’re finished at White Sands, it’s a three hour drive to Carlsbad.

It is at this point, where I have to make a note. My mom would like people to know that Alamogordo is home to the World’s Largest Pistachio. You’ll pass loads of billboards for it and she forced me to stop. You can just visit the statue, but there’s also a store selling more pistachios than you can possibly imagine. There’s also tours if you are really fascinated by the growing of pistachios.

Sleep: Carlsbad, NM

Day 3 – Carlsbad Caverns and an Intro to Guadalupe Mountains

Today is the halfway point of this New Mexico national park road trip. Start your morning off at Carlsbad Caverns . There are ranger led tours, but the self guided tour is also a great option. Regardless of which tour you take, you can, and should, make a reservation in advance. A visit here will only take two to three hours, depending on which tour you choose.

After your tour, head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park . You have a few options, but you can pick which trail suits you. I’d recommend looking at the Devil’s Hall Trail or the McKittrick Canyon Trail.

The Devil’s Hall trail has rock scrambling, but leads to some awesome views.

The McKittrick Canyon Trail is easier, but it is a bit more boring. For the McKittrick Canyon Trail, hike as far as you want and turn around when you’re ready (the trail goes on for over 12 miles one way). We hiked as far as the Grotto and enjoyed the experience.

When you complete your hike, return to Carlsbad.

Sleep: Carlsbad, NM.

Day 4 – A Big Hike at Guadalupe Mountains

You have one full day at Guadalupe Mountains, so make the best of it by tackling a longer hike. If you didn’t hike the McKittrick Canyon Trail yesterday, you could do that today. The Permian Reef Trail is less traveled, but from what I read, is more interesting than the McKittrick Canyon Trail. For a bucket list item, hike to Guadalupe Peak , the highest point in Texas. The choice is yours.

Day 5 – Return to El Paso

This New Mexico national park road trip is over. From Carlsbad, it’s a two and a half hour drive back to El Paso. Return your rental car and head home.

Hotels Needed

Day 1: Alamagordo, NM Day 2: Carlsbad, NM Day 3: Carlsbad, NM Day 4: Carlsbad, NM

Modifications to This Itinerary

If you’re not a big hiker, I’d recommend some minor changes to this New Mexico national park itinerary.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is more geared for hikers and as such, doesn’t have scenic drives and some of the other options that other parks have. Still, there are some shorter, easier hikes you can do at Guadalupe Mountains. But if you’re thinking you won’t need all of that hiking time, consider the following itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrive in El Paso and Drive to Alamogordo. Day 2 – White Sands National Park – Give yourself the full day to explore the national park and the city of Alamogordo Day 3 – Drive to Carlsbad and Visit Carlsbad Caverns Day 4 – Guadalupe Mountains National Park Day 5 – Head home

Hotels Needed for the Modified Itinerary

Day 1: Alamogordo, NM Day 2: Alamogordo, NM Day 3: Carlsbad, NM Day 4: Carlsbad, NM

When To Do This Itinerary

While this can be done all year round, I’d recommend spring or fall for comfortable conditions for a road trip around New Mexico (and Texas) national parks. In the summer, temperatures can soar, making it uncomfortably hot and even dangerous to hike. I visited in mid November. Temperatures were mild and for the most part, I was comfortable in my leggings and jacket.

Other Notes

Despite only needing two hotels for this New Mexico national park itinerary, there is a lot of driving involved. Carlsbad is the closest city to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, but it’s 40 minutes one way to Carlsbad Caverns and 60 minutes one way to Guadalupe Mountains. When my mom and I did this trip, we logged just under 850 miles on our rental car.

To try to minimize your driving time, try to find a hotel on the south side of Carlsbad. Our hotel was on the very far north side of Carlsbad, NM (something I didn’t realize at the time), so every day, we added at least 15 minutes one way to get from one side of Carlsbad to the other (so 30 minutes per day). This doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s frustrating when you just want to get to your destination.

As you are driving, fill up with gas when you can. Many of these drives are incredibly rural and there are very limited options for gas. At one point, we passed a sign that said “No fuel 145 miles”. Make sure you always have plenty of gas to get to your next destination.

Final Thoughts

For those who love hiking, this itinerary is a perfect way to spend a long weekend. On this national park road trip, you’ll visit vastly different parks across New Mexico and Texas. It’s a short trip, but it’s a fun trip.

Continue Your Adventure

White Sands National Park : For a fun scenic drive and a great dune hike, visit White Sands National Park .

Carlsbad Caverns National Park : For a visit to the United States’ deepest cave, check out Carlsbad Caverns National Park .

Guadalupe Mountains National Park : For epic mountain hiking with fewer crowds, visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park . Active hikers, or those looking to cross something off their bucket list, should look to add a hike to Guadalupe Peak to their visit.

More National Park Itineraries : If you want to visit more national parks across the United States, check out this 10 Day Itinerary Through Utah featuring Utah’s Mighty Five AND the Grand Canyon (in Arizona). Or this 10 Day Itinerary Through Colorado featuring all of Colorado’s national parks and so many scenic drives.

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Texas To Yellowstone National Park Road Trip: Top 27 Tips

Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA . The 1,440 miles of Texas to Yellowstone National Park drive takes around 21 hours and 10 mins without stops.

This article includes 27 tips that turn your Texas to Yellowstone National Park drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park, take your coffee and keep reading!

Table of Contents

9 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Texas To Yellowstone National Park

On the Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top nine hotels on the Texas – Yellowstone National Park route!

1. The Lancaster Hotel

The Lancaster Hotel is one of the best hotels; you can stay on the Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. Driving from Texas to The Lancaster Hotel might take around 5 hours and 40 mins .

With dedicated staff and a commitment to customer satisfaction, the hotel provides guests with a true home away from home experience. The amenities are top-notch and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing night or a luxurious stay, the Lancaster Hotel is the perfect place. The staff is friendly and helpful and they go out of their way to ensure that each guest has an enjoyable experience. The location is also great, with easy access to public transportation, local shops, and restaurants.

Check The Lancaster Hotel, one of the best hotels in Houston, Texas, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.

2. The Adolphus, Autograph Collection

Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Yellowstone National Park from Texas is The Adolphus, Autograph Collection. Located in Dallas, Texas, the hotel is 220 miles away from Texas, and it would take 3 hours and 18 mins to drive.

Situated in the heart of downtown, this historic hotel is a great way to experience the city’s ambiance and charm. It’s within walking distance of many attractions, so you can make the most of your visit. The hotel also offers a delicious selection of dishes, so you can enjoy a hearty meal after a day of sightseeing. The Adolphus is a great choice for travelers looking for a unique experience. The staff is friendly and attentive, so you can be sure of a warm welcome. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel’s amenities make it a great place to relax and unwind.

If you want to learn more about The Adolphus, Autograph Collection, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com .

3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Falls – Msu Area

Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Falls – Msu Area. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Falls – Msu Area is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it’s 180 miles away from Texas. You can arrive there in 2 hours and 55 mins of non-stop driving.

The hotel features a modern and stylish design while in a convenient location that gives guests easy access to the city’s attractions. The fitness center is top-notch and the pool is a great spot to take a dip and cool off during the hot summer days. For those who want to start their day right, the provided breakfast is sure to hit the spot. It’s well-located, comfortable, and offers all of the amenities you would expect from a hotel of its caliber.

Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Falls – Msu Area, for more information.

4. Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown

If you are taking the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park, Amarillo, Texas is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown is one of the best hotels in town. The hotel is 296 miles from Texas, and it would take 4 hours and 25 mins to drive.

It’s conveniently situated near the Amarillo Civic Center and Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, providing easy access to local restaurants and government offices. Guests have a choice of studio and two-room suites that are equipped with living space and a wet bar, which includes a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee machine. This is the perfect place to stay while traveling on a road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. It’s a great place to rest and recharge on your journey, and the amenities make it an ideal stop to explore the city. The staff was friendly and the suites were clean and comfortable.

If you need more info about the price and availability of Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

5. The Oxford Hotel

Our next hotel is The Oxford Hotel, Denver, Colorado. It will take 10 hours and 53 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Texas.

It is one of the most historic hotels in Denver and combines the best of both traditional and modern amenities. The hotel provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, with well-appointed rooms and a wide range of amenities. The staff is friendly and helpful, making it a great place to stay on a road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. The hotel is conveniently located in the city center, close to the attractions and nightlife of Denver. It is also situated near public transportation, making it easy to get around the city. The Oxford Hotel is a great place for travelers on the go, as it offers a wide range of services and amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Additionally, the hotel offers a wide array of packages and deals, making it an affordable option for those traveling on a budget.

Check The Oxford Hotel on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Oxford Hotel for reviews, prices, and availability.

6. Best Western Plus Casper Inn & Suites

Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park is Best Western Plus Casper Inn & Suites. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in Casper, Wyoming within 14 hours and 38 mins drive from Texas.

The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, with a work desk and free internet access, making it ideal for business travelers. The bathrooms are modern, with great shower pressure, and the beds and sofa area are cozy. Pet-friendly staff is helpful and friendly. For those who need to stay longer, the in-room mini-fridges are the perfect way to store drinks and snacks. An in-house fitness center is also available to stay in shape while on the road.

Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com .

7. Creekside Downtown Vacation Suites

Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Creekside Downtown Vacation Suites. It’s located in Buffalo, Wyoming and it is 1,106 miles from Texas. You can arrive there within 16 hours and 18 mins of car drive.

With a restaurant, bar, garden, and free bikes, it has all the amenities anyone could need while traveling. The 4-star hotel offers great river views from each accommodation and guests can take advantage of the terrace. The rooms are comfortable and cozy, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Creekside Downtown Vacation Suites.

8. Boothill Inn & Suites

Located in Billings, Montana, Boothill Inn & Suites is another hotel where you can stay on the Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. Boothill Inn & Suites is 1,268 miles from Texas and will take 18 hours and 36 mins of non-stop driving.

The hotel is situated beneath the stunning historic rimrocks and has plenty of thoughtful amenities to make your stay comfortable. The hot breakfast, breakfast grab-and-go bags, and two hot tubs in the indoor pool are all perfect for the traveler on the go. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the staff are friendly and helpful. We found the beds to be super comfortable and the pillows were soft and fluffy. The WiFi was reliable and the TV had plenty of channels to choose from. You can also get snacks and drinks from the vending machine located in the lobby.

Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Boothill Inn & Suites for more information.

9. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins

As we approach the end of our list, another hotel we would like to introduce to you is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins hotel. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming is 1,444 miles from Texas, and you can arrive there with 21 hours and 22 mins of non-stop driving.

The recently renovated hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, making it the perfect stop to relax and unwind. Guests of this well-maintained accommodation can look forward to a wonderful stay, as the hotel has been designed to ensure maximum comfort. The rooms are clean and cozy, and the staff are friendly and attentive. The location is also great, as it is close to the park’s main attractions and provides easy access to all the necessary amenities. The hotel also has a great restaurant, offering a variety of delicious meals.

Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins for more information about the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins hotel.

In this part, we explained nine hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take Texas to Yellowstone National Park route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. We have nine restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

9 Best Restaurants On The Texas To Yellowstone National Park Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. This section lists nine restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip with Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is located in Houston, Texas , and is 218 miles from Texas. It would take 3 hours and 15 mins of driving.

We were excited to arrive and experience the renowned restaurant. Our anticipation was rewarded with incredibly flavorful steaks and cold drinks that were incredibly refreshing. The menu was vast and the quality of the food was top-notch. The service was also excellent; the staff was friendly, attentive, and always ready to help.

For more information about Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.

2. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Dallas

Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Yellowstone National Park from Texas is Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Dallas. Located in Dallas, Texas, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Dallas is 218 miles from Texas and would take 3 hours and 15 mins of driving.

The restaurant offers a great dining experience with a wide range of delicious options. Guests are welcomed with top-notch service, and the wine and fireplace rooms add a cozy atmosphere. When it comes to the menu, the shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, prime ribeye, lobster, salmon, lamb chops, and crab cakes are all highly recommended dishes that deliver an enjoyable experience. The steakhouse has a great selection of wine to accompany the meals, and the staff are knowledgeable about each wine’s flavor profile. Furthermore, the portions are generous and the prices are fair.

If you want to learn more about Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Dallas, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

3. Backporch Drafthouse, Wichita Falls

Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Backporch Drafthouse, Wichita Falls. It will take 2 hours and 51 mins of car drive to take 191 miles from Texas to Backporch Drafthouse, Wichita Falls, Wichita Falls, Texas.

It’s the perfect spot to relax and grab a bite to eat. The restaurant offers a large selection of beers, and the portion sizes are generous. The prices are very reasonable, making it a great value. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with cozy booths and rustic decor. The staff is attentive and friendly, making it a great place to gather with friends. The menu features a variety of options to choose from, making it easy to find something for everyone. The food is delicious and comes out quickly. We greatly enjoyed our meal and had an amazing experience.

You can check Backporch Drafthouse, Wichita Falls, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.

4. Coyote Bluff Cafe

Coyote Bluff Cafe deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Amarillo, Texas.

The eclectic atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and the burgers are cooked to perfection. Not only were the burgers cooked to our liking, but they were juicy and delicious. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the prices were reasonable. We opted for the burger and fries combo, which was a great option for a quick lunch. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of other menu items, including breakfast foods, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Coyote Bluff Cafe is 297 miles from Texas, and it would take 4 hours and 25 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Coyote Bluff Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

5. Corinne Restaurant

If you enjoy dining, Corinne Restaurant, would be an excellent choice in Denver, Colorado. It’s 719 miles from Texas and would take 10 hours and 54 mins of car driving.

It offers delicious, honest food and drinks, ranging from hearty to healthy. The decor is modern and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a great place to take a break and catch up with friends and family. The staff are very friendly and attentive, always making sure that your needs are catered for. The menu has something for everyone – from healthy salads to hearty burgers. The prices are fair and the portions are generous. The restaurant also offers a selection of local beers, wines and spirits.

If you want to learn more about the Corinne Restaurant you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

6. Eggington’s

Another restaurant we recommend you to visit on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park is Eggington’s, Casper, Wyoming. It will take 14 hours and 45 mins of driving to reach Eggington’s from Texas.

We were pleased to find a variety of brunch and lunch options, with delicious food and wonderful service. They had something for everyone, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. We especially enjoyed the chicken salad and breakfast sandwich, as well as the fresh orange juice. The coffee was also excellent. The only downside was the downtown parking, but we eventually found a spot nearby.

For more information about Eggington’s you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

7. The Busy Bee Cafe

Ranked seventh on our list, The Busy Bee Cafe appeals to those who want to turn their Yellowstone National Park vacation into a memorable experience. Located in Buffalo, Wyoming 999 miles away from Texas, and it’ll take 14 hours and 33 mins of driving.

It’s a bright and inviting diner that overlooks the peaceful Clear Creek. The menu offers a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, with something for everyone. The old-fashioned soda fountain is a real treat for all ages, with delicious shakes, malts and hot fudge sundaes. The service is friendly, and the prices are reasonable.

If you want to learn more about The Busy Bee Cafe you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

8. Montana’s Rib and Chop House

Montana’s Rib and Chop House is an excellent restaurant that is 1,277 miles away from Texas. Montana’s Rib and Chop House is located in Billings, Montana, and you can reach there after 18 hours and 44 mins of car driving.

This restaurant is well known as “Montana’s Trailhead”, offering a unique mix of premium steaks, fresh seafood, and award-winning baby back ribs. The atmosphere is inviting and makes it a great spot to grab a bite to eat while on the road. The menu is varied and has something to satisfy every appetite. The service is friendly and attentive, and the prices are reasonable. The food is always cooked to perfection and tastes delicious. The portions are generous, and the desserts are to die for. Whether you’re in the mood for a steak, seafood, or ribs, Rib and Chop House won’t disappoint. It’s the perfect place to grab a hearty meal while on the road, and it’s a great place to refuel on your journey.

If you want to discover the menu and more information about Montana’s Rib and Chop House, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

9. Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room:

Eating is serious business. Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who take this job seriously is the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It is 1,462 miles from Texas and would take around 21 hours and 53 mins of car driving.

The menu is varied and contains something for everyone, while the prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable, making it easy to forget that you are dining in a national park. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, eager to answer any questions about the area. The restaurant is clean and inviting, with an array of delicious dishes and an array of drinks to choose from. The portions are generous and the flavors are bold and flavorful. Overall, the experience of dining at the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room is one that should not be missed. It is the perfect place to take a break from your road trip and enjoy some rest and relaxation while taking in the beautiful scenery of Yellowstone National Park.

You can visit the official TripAdvisor and Google Maps pages of Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, for detailed information.

This section lists our nine restaurant recommendations for your road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,440 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Yellowstone National Park road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. Keep reading.

9 Places To Visit On The Texas To Yellowstone National Park Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Yellowstone National Park. However, there are also some unique destinations like Houston, Texas on your road trip. We want to explain the top nine destinations we recommend on the Yellowstone National Park route.

1. The Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. Located in Houston, Texas, The Houston Museum of Natural Science is 352 miles away from Texas, and it would take 5 hours and 46 mins to drive.

The museum offers a wide variety of fascinating exhibits, from dinosaur fossils to space exploration. You can learn about the history of Texas and explore the interactive displays. The museum also has a planetarium and an IMAX theater, which offer an immersive experience. Children will love exploring the museum with the hands-on activities, while adults can take a break from the driving and enjoy some educational fun. The museum is easily accessible, with plenty of parking and public transportation nearby. It’s a great place to visit, and you’ll be sure to find something that interests you.

If you want to learn more about the The Houston Museum of Natural Science, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

2. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Texas to Yellowstone National Park route. It’s 220 miles from Texas, and it’ll take about 3 hours and 18 mins of driving.

The museum offers an informative and impactful look into the life, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Visitors to the museum can explore the exhibit space, which has been designed to recreate the look and feel of the 1960s. The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts and photographs, as well as educational displays which provide a comprehensive view of JFK’s presidency and assassination. The museum also houses a multimedia theater and a research library, allowing visitors to delve further into the history and legacy of the Kennedy family.

If you want to learn more about The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website .

3. River Bend Nature Center

One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park is Wichita Falls, Texas. And if you visit Wichita Falls, Texas, we suggest you visit River Bend Nature Center. You can arrive at River Bend Nature Center after 2 hours and 58 mins of driving.

It offers a unique 20-acre area that is dedicated to environmental education. Nature lovers are able to observe wildlife in their natural habitat, with a focus on butterflies and turtles. The setting is peaceful and serene, ideal for anyone looking to recharge and reconnect with nature. The center also has an abundance of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing. It is also home to a wide range of wildlife species, including many endangered species. Additionally, the staff at the center are knowledgeable and friendly, always willing to help visitors find what they are looking for.

You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of River Bend Nature Center for more information.

4. Cadillac Ranch

Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas on the Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. Cadillac Ranch is 296 miles from Texas, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 30 mins of drive.

The brainchild of millionaire Stanley Marsh III, this unique spot outside of Amarillo features ten classic Cadillacs from 1948 to 1963 buried nose-first in the ground and adorned with graffiti. It’s quite a sight to behold and a great photo opportunity. The cars, ranging from the 50s to the early 60s, are a tribute to the era of the classic American car and are a great way to break up the long drive from Texas to Yellowstone. Not only do they provide a great talking point, but you can also take some memorable pictures to commemorate the trip. Cadillac Ranch is open to the public and free of charge, making it an ideal stop for anyone passing through. Whether you’re a fan of classic cars or just looking for a unique experience, this is the perfect place to visit. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add a splash of color by spray-painting your own graffiti.

In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Cadillac Ranch before going there.

5. Denver Botanic Gardens

Located in Denver, Colorado, Denver Botanic Gardens ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. You must take 10 hours and 53 mins of driving to arrive at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Spanning more than 24 acres, the gardens feature a wide range of plants from all around the world. The garden is divided into multiple sections, each with its own unique charm and beauty. There are gardens that feature native plants, as well as others that showcase exotic species from around the world. The rose garden is one of the most popular attractions, and there are also a few interactive exhibits that provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the plants and gardens. Visitors can also take part in various educational programs, such as garden walks and classes. There’s also a cafe, which offers a variety of food and drinks that can be enjoyed while admiring the gardens.

If you want to learn more about Denver Botanic Gardens, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

6. National Historic Trails Interpretive Center

Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park is National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper, Wyoming. National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is 996 miles from Texas, and it would take 14 hours and 45 mins to drive.

It offers a superb experience, giving you a detailed insight into a crucial period in American history. This is no average local or state museum – it is a national center, with incredible multimedia, artifacts, interactive stations, and knowledgeable staff. When I walked in, I was overwhelmed by the level of detail and effort that has gone into creating this center. I left feeling much more informed and inspired than I arrived, and I would recommend anyone with a few hours and to spare to visit. The outdoor views are spectacular and the helpful staff make it even better. The NHTC is a great public-private partnership between the Bureau of Land Management and the NHTC Foundation, a 501c3 charity that helps preserve the heritage of the Westward trails.

For more information about National Historic Trails Interpretive Center you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website .

7. The Historic Occidental Hotel Museum

You can visit many destinations on your Texas to Yellowstone National Park journey. One of these destinations is The Historic Occidental Hotel Museum located in, Buffalo, Wyoming. You can arrive at The Historic Occidental Hotel Museum after 16 hours and 17 mins of driving.

This hotel museum is a wonderful place to take a break and explore the history of the area. The building is full of antiques, giving you a real sense of what life was like in the Wild West. As you step into the lobby, you can almost hear the jingle of spurs from the travelers of days gone by. The museum offers a range of different activities including a guided tour that takes you through the history of the area and the hotel. The staff are really friendly and knowledgeable, so you can ask them anything.

If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about The Historic Occidental Hotel Museum you can visit The Historic Occidental Hotel Museum’s TripAdvisor page or their website .

8. Pictograph Cave State Park

As we near the end of our list of the top 9 best places to visit on the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park, it would be unfair not to mention Pictograph Cave State Park. Pictograph Cave State Park locates in Billings, Montana, 1,272 miles from Texas, and it takes 18 hours and 42 mins drive from Texas to get there.

This National Historic Landmark is known for its archaeological significance, as it houses ancient rock art and artifacts that are thousands of years old. The cave is an incredible sight to behold – visitors can explore the cave and learn about its history from the interpretive signs provided by the park. The cave is well-lit, which makes it easy to navigate, and the surrounding area is beautiful, with plenty of opportunities for photography. It’s a great place for a break during a long drive, as well as a great place to learn about the history of the region. The park staff are also very friendly and knowledgeable, so if you have any questions about the area or the park, they’ll be happy to help.

If you want to learn more about Pictograph Cave State Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

9. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Now, we would like to introduce you to another vibrant restaurant on the Yellowstone National Park trip. Located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is 1,440 miles from Texas, and it would take 21 hours and 10 mins to drive.

It is simply breathtaking and offers a unique experience for every traveler. The canyon is incredibly vast with its sheer walls and tremendous depths that leave visitors in awe of its grandeur. Its stunning colors, ranging from bright oranges and yellows to deep reds and browns, are a sight to behold. The waterfalls in the canyon are equally stunning and provide a tranquil atmosphere that is hard to find. The opportunity to hike along the rim and take in the breathtaking views of the canyon is a once in a lifetime experience.

If you want to learn more about Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

FAQ of the Road Trip From Texas to Yellowstone National Park

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Texas to Yellowstone National Park drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Texas To Yellowstone National Park?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip takes approximately 21 hours and 10 mins to drive. The driving distance between Texas to Yellowstone National Park is 1,440 miles.
• If you want to make the Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip by bike , the time you spend on the road will be 4 days 5 hours .
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Texas-Yellowstone National Park route, then you will have to walk for 16 days 16 hours .

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Texas To Yellowstone National Park?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Yellowstone National Park. You can visit Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Wichita Falls, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Casper, Wyoming; Buffalo, Wyoming; Billings, Montana; Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming; on the road. Here we list nine places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Texas to Yellowstone National Park journey, you can check the 9 Best Places To Visit On The Texas To Yellowstone National Park Road Trip.

• The Houston Museum of Natural Science: 352 miles / 5 hours and 46 mins to drive from Texas | 1,752 miles / 1 day 2 hours and of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: 220 miles / 3 hours and 18 mins to drive from Texas | 1,513 miles / 22 hours and 11 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• River Bend Nature Center: 194 miles / 2 hours and 58 mins to drive from Texas | 1,374 miles / 20 hours and 14 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Cadillac Ranch: 296 miles / 4 hours and 30 mins to drive from Texas | 1,146 miles / 16 hours and 42 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Denver Botanic Gardens: 716 miles / 10 hours and 53 mins to drive from Texas | 727 miles / 10 hours and 31 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• National Historic Trails Interpretive Center: 996 miles / 14 hours and 45 mins to drive from Texas | 445 miles / 6 hours and 29 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• The Historic Occidental Hotel Museum: 1,106 miles / 16 hours and 17 mins to drive from Texas | 335 miles / 4 hours and 57 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Pictograph Cave State Park: 1,272 miles / 18 hours and 42 mins to drive from Texas | 178 miles / 2 hours and 48 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 1,440 miles / 21 hours and 10 mins to drive from Texas.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Texas To Yellowstone National Park?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. We have selected nine hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 9 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Yellowstone National Park From Texas section.

• The Lancaster Hotel: 349 miles / 5 hours and 40 mins to drive from Texas | 1,748 miles / 1 day 2 hours and of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• The Adolphus, Autograph Collection: 220 miles / 3 hours and 18 mins to drive from Texas | 1,513 miles / 22 hours and 15 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Falls – Msu Area: 180 miles / 2 hours and 55 mins to drive from Texas | 1,378 miles / 20 hours and 20 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Amarillo Downtown: 296 miles / 4 hours and 25 mins to drive from Texas | 1,134 miles / 16 hours and 49 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• The Oxford Hotel: 719 miles / 10 hours and 53 mins to drive from Texas | 721 miles / 10 hours and 24 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Best Western Plus Casper Inn & Suites: 989 miles / 14 hours and 38 mins to drive from Texas | 452 miles / 6 hours and 36 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Creekside Downtown Vacation Suites: 1,106 miles / 16 hours and 18 mins to drive from Texas | 335 miles / 4 hours and 58 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Boothill Inn & Suites: 1,268 miles / 18 hours and 36 mins to drive from Texas | 175 miles / 2 hours and 42 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins: 1,444 miles / 21 hours and 22 mins to drive from Texas | 5.3 miles / 20 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.

Where To Eat Between Texas to Yellowstone National Park?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Texas to Yellowstone National Park drive, you can consider the nine restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 9 Best Restaurants On The Texas To Yellowstone National Park Road Trip .

• Pappas Bros. Steakhouse: 218 miles / 3 hours and 15 mins to drive from Texas | 1,505 miles / 22 hours of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Dallas: 218 miles / 3 hours and 15 mins to drive from Texas | 1,505 miles / 22 hours of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Backporch Drafthouse, Wichita Falls: 191 miles / 2 hours and 51 mins to drive from Texas | 1,375 miles / 20 hours and 16 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Coyote Bluff Cafe: 297 miles / 4 hours and 25 mins to drive from Texas | 1,154 miles / 16 hours and 52 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Corinne Restaurant: 719 miles / 10 hours and 54 mins to drive from Texas | 723 miles / 10 hours and 28 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Eggington’s: 994 miles / 14 hours and 45 mins to drive from Texas | 446 miles / 6 hours and 32 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• The Busy Bee Cafe: 999 miles / 14 hours and 33 mins to drive from Texas | 1,989 miles / 1 day 5 hours and of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Montana’s Rib and Chop House: 1,277 miles / 18 hours and 44 mins to drive from Texas | 165 miles / 2 hours and 32 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.
• Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room: 1,462 miles / 21 hours and 53 mins to drive from Texas | 28.4 miles / 45 mins of driving to Yellowstone National Park.

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park. We have listed nine hotels, nine restaurants, and nine places to visit on the Texas to Yellowstone National Park drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken Texas to Yellowstone National Park road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want to have the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Texas to Yellowstone National Park and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.

Video: Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide

In this video you can find the detailed information about Yellowstone National Park.

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The Ultimate Texas National Parks Road Trip

• By Maria Mikaella Maglangit
• April 29, 2024
• In National Parks

Setting out on a national parks road trip in Texas offers a remarkable journey through some of the country's most diverse landscapes. Your adventure will take you through some of the most scenic and significant sites in the Lone Star State.

Follow this mapped route, and you're in for an unforgettable exploration of Texas' national parks and historic sites.

1. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Take a step back in time and explore the life of America's 36th President at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park , nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

This park offers a unique chance to see where President Johnson was born, lived, worked, and is now laid to rest. It's a special place that tells the whole story of his life.

Your adventure begins at the LBJ Ranch, also known as the Texas White House, where President Johnson spent much of his time during his presidency.

Nearby, you can see his birthplace and childhood home, which have been carefully rebuilt. These spots give you a peek into his early life and the experiences that shaped him.

For those who want to dive even deeper into President Johnson's story, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin is just a short drive away. It's on the University of Texas campus and has even more exhibits about his life and work.

2. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

You're about to uncover the rich tapestry of Texas' past at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It's the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, which means it's recognized worldwide for its importance.

The missions are at the heart of this historical journey, each with its own story. Mission Concepción captivates visitors with its original Spanish colonial architecture and the stunning frescos adorned its walls.

Meanwhile, Mission San José, known affectionately as the "Queen of the Missions," is the largest of the sites in San Antonio.

It serves as the centerpiece of the park, housing the Visitor Center and providing a comprehensive introduction to the historical significance of these landmarks.

Plan your visit and choose how you spend your day. Stroll through scenic trails connecting the missions, or if you prefer, take a guided tour and learn about these historic landmarks from knowledgeable guides.

3. Padre Island National Seashore

This barrier island stretches over 66 miles and offers visitors a chance to experience untouched beaches, dunes, and tidal flats. It's an ideal spot for anyone eager to see a wide variety of wildlife in a peaceful, natural setting.

There are several must-see attractions at the seashore. One of the highlights is the turtle hatching , where you can watch baby sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean for the first time.

When night falls, the minimal light pollution allows for exceptional stargazing opportunities, making the stars appear brighter and more vivid.

The seashore offers plenty of activities if you want something more active. Beachcombing is a favorite pastime, with the chance to find unique shells and driftwood.

Fishing enthusiasts will find the surf and bayside waters teeming with fish. Kayaking through the Laguna Madre , one of the world's few hypersaline lagoons offers a unique paddling experience.

Getting to Padre Island National Seashore is straightforward—a three-hour drive from Houston along Park Road 22 brings you directly to this coastal haven.

4. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

At the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, you'll step onto a field where two nations once vied for a continent.

This is the site of the first major conflict of the Mexican-American War , which took place in 1846. The clash at Palo Alto was not just a battle; it was the opening chapter of a saga that changed the map of North America.

When you visit, you can walk the same ground that soldiers did nearly two centuries ago. There are trails to follow and exhibits that explain everything in a way that's easy to understand.

You'll learn why the United States and Mexico went to war, mainly because of the annexation of Texas, and how this battle-tested the resolve of the U.S.'s first "dark horse" President.

In 2009, the park got even more prominent when it was designated a National Historical Park and included another battlefield, Resaca de la Palma, within the city limits of Brownsville.

There's even talk about adding Fort Brown to the park, making it an even better place to learn about this vital part of history.

If you're interested in history or want to see a beautiful piece of Texas landscape, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park is a must-visit!

5. Amistad National Recreation Area

This natural oasis is a haven for those looking to escape into nature, with activities ranging from hiking and fishing to camping and paddling.

The sparkling waters of Lake Amistad serve as a playground for anglers and paddlers alike, offering year-round opportunities for bass fishing and exploring unmarked paddle trails.

These trails, requiring a dash of adventure to navigate, promise serene moments on the lake, away from the bustle of everyday life.

Beyond its recreational offerings, Amistad National Recreation Area is rich with cultural history, featuring prehistoric rock art that connects visitors with the ancient past.

Maps are available to guide explorers through these cultural sites, adding a layer of educational discovery to the outdoor experience.

And suppose you're looking to unwind and soak in the beauty of your surroundings. In that case, the area's Lakeview picnic spots offer the perfect backdrop for a memorable sunset, making for an Instagram-worthy moment.

As the day ends, you can camp under the stars, providing a peaceful conclusion to an adventurous day.

6. Big Bend National Park

Next on your journey is the vast expanse of Big Bend National Park, a place of solitude and raw natural beauty where the Rio Grande carves a path through the desert.

Here, you can take on trails that wind through canyons and mountains or take a scenic drive to marvel at the vistas that unfold at every turn.

When night falls, the dark skies reveal a tapestry of stars like nowhere else. Be on the lookout for the iconic roadrunners and listen for the calls of the Colima warbler, a song unique to these parts.

Don't miss the chance to discover the park's rich cultural history, from ancient pictographs to historic ranches.

And if you're feeling adventurous, consider a short trip into Mexico via the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry.

7. Fort Davis National Historic Site

At the Fort Davis National Historic Site, you're invited to step back into the 19th century, into a world where soldiers vigilantly guarded western Texas amidst the stunning backdrop of the Davis Mountains.

This fort, operational from 1854 to 1891 , was a pivotal defense mechanism during the Indian Wars, safeguarding emigrants and mail routes across the untamed frontier.

Your journey into yesteryear begins at the Visitor's Center, where a map and insightful details about the fort's significant history await.

Fort Davis is not just about silent buildings and scenic trails; it's where history springs to life.

Living history demonstrations, reenactments, and exhibits breathe life into the stories of the Buffalo Soldiers and other figures who called the fort home, creating an immersive experience that transcends time.

The sweeping landscapes and meticulously restored buildings offer endless photographic opportunities as you wander through this historic site.

It's a moment to pause and reflect on the daily lives and challenges faced by those stationed here, making Fort Davis National Historic Site a profound testament to American resilience and spirit.

8. Chamizal National Memorial

In the heart of El Paso lies Chamizal National Memorial, a park that symbolizes peace and diplomacy between the United States and Mexico.

As you venture beyond the Visitor Center , Chamizal unfolds into a lush landscape of walking and running trails that invite exploration.

These paths offer a chance for physical activity and a moment to reflect on the importance of dialogue and cooperation in resolving conflicts.

Along the way, art exhibits showcase the talents of local artists, providing a visual narrative of the region's cultural heritage.

There's also the Memorial's open-air theater, known to be a hub of cultural activity, hosting presentations and performances that bring to life the traditions and stories of the border region.

9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Prepare to be awed at Guadalupe Mountains National Park , where the mountains rise from the Chihuahuan Desert like ancient sentinels.

Here, you can challenge yourself with a hike up Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, for breathtaking views that reward your efforts.

For a less strenuous outing, take the Devil's Hall Trail for its natural rock staircase and stunning canyon walls, or walk through the verdant McKittrick Canyon, which is especially beautiful in the fall.

If hiking isn't enough, consider diving deeper into the park's history. Explore the  Frijole Ranch History Museum  to get a glimpse of the past and understand the lives of early settlers. And for a surreal sunset view, don’t miss the El Capitan viewpoint.

10. Waco Mammoth National Monument

Conclude your road trip with a visit to the Waco Mammoth National Monument, where the ancient giants of Texas still roam — in fossil form.

Walk the elevated pathways above the dig site and gaze upon the remains of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths, which stood as tall as 14 feet and weighed a massive 20,000 pounds!

With the Visitor Center open Monday through Saturday, you can plan a visit that fits your travel schedule and learn from the rangers who bring this prehistoric world to life. Don't forget to enjoy the peaceful setting along the Bosque River for a quiet moment of reflection.

Here at the Waco Mammoth National Monument, the past is always present, and the stories are as grand as the creatures that once walked this land.

Wrapping Up Your Texas Road Trip

Embarking on a Texas National Parks road trip promises an adventure packed with diverse landscapes and unforgettable experiences.

You'll leave with more than souvenirs. Your experiences in Texas' natural wonders will linger long after you return home, bidding you to return to the open roads and expansive skies.

Before you pack your bags, enhance your travel plans with our 9 Tips For Avoiding The Crowds At National Parks , ensuring you get the most out of your visits to these magnificent Texas landscapes.

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Road Trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park

Taking a road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park may seem like a challenging, yet adventurous idea. On this epic journey, you will be driving through amazing landmarks, country roads lined with stunning landscapes and windy mountain roads surrounded by massive peaks.

The 1,385-mile road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park takes about 22 hours to drive. Notable stops are Amarillo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Idaho Springs, Carson National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

Don't know where to start with your planning? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn about where to stop, what to do and most importantly, where this amazing adventure will take you.

How far is Yellowstone National Park from Dallas and how long will the road trip take?

The road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park is 1,385 miles long and will take about 22 hours of nonstop driving without accommodating any detours or snack pit stops.

You will be covering a massive distance and as you can expect, there are plenty of amazing stop-off locations along this route. You will have plenty of opportunities to visit stunning national parks and forests as well as bustling cities to enjoy the colorful urban lifestyle.

We recommend taking at least 5 days to fully enjoy the whole route. If you are short on time, you can cut a few of our recommended scenic detours to shorten your trip.

This road trip will allow you to stop and see some of the most unique monuments and mountain towns along the way. The trip itself will take you through three states and provide an adventure of its own.

Best road trip route from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park

The most enjoyable route between Dallas and Yellowstone National Park is only twenty minutes longer than the fastest way to get there and will take you through beautiful landscapes and amazing attractions.

The road will take you along the Rocky Mountains which includes breathtaking views and quick stop-offs. There will be many options to take detours into some of the nation's most fantastic parks and forests on the way.

You will be mostly driving on the highways, which means it will be more scenic than following the interstates. You might encounter some traffic as you approach Denver, so it is best to avoid rush hour during this part of your trip.

Road trip route from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park

Your road trip route will start on US-287 in Dallas, Texas. Drive through Wichita Falls and take Exit 3A to stay on US-287. Following this highway, you will pass through Amarillo, a charming country town.

Take Exit 64 for US-87 out of Amarillo and cross from Texas to New Mexico for a brief drive in the latter state. Enjoy the views of Santa Fe and Carson National Forests once you approach the town of Raton.

Once you hit Raton, you will begin your journey on Interstate 25 North (I-25 N) into colorful Colorado. Start in Trinidad and make your way up to Colorado Springs, driving past Pike and San Isabel National Forest. From there, keep heading north to Denver.

Here, you can follow US-287 if you have time constraints, which will merge onto US-26 and take you directly to your destination through a less scenic route.

For only twenty minutes more of a drive, keep left on to US-6, a famous Colorado mountain road. This route will take you through charming mountain towns, such as Idaho Springs and windy mountain roads.

Drive past Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests before crossing from Colorado into Wyoming, where the road will turn into US-230 near the town of Encampment.

Take Interstate 80 (I-80) briefly and take Exit 104 for US-191 past Rock Springs, which brings you through the Wyoming mountains all the way to Jackson.

From here you take the two-hour trek to Yellowstone National Park on the park road of US-191. First, you will go through Grand Teton National Park and then Bridger-Teton National Park which will lead you to your destination in Yellowstone.

Best places to stop between Dallas and Yellowstone

You will be crossing through 4 states on this road trip of epic proportions, so unsurprisingly there are quite a few options for places to stop as well as many fun activities and unforgettable landmarks to marvel at between Dallas and Yellowstone National Park.

To make it easy for you, we have outlined some of our favorites:

Enjoy a scenic canyon hike in Amarillo

Located about 6 hours from Dallas, Amarillo is a popular stop on the legendary Route 66. The city is also home to many historic and cultural attractions, which makes it a perfect stop on your way from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park.

There are many options as to where to stay while visiting this charming city, but Drury Inn & Suites Amarillo provides the best comfort and service in town with its stylish rooms and top-notch amenities .

Cadillac Ranch is a quirky art installation, located a short drive from the hotel where you can view old Cadillac cars stuck nose-first into the ground of a farmer's field. This unique attraction brings in people from all over the country and is a must-visit.

If you are eager to start your adventure outdoors, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is easily accessible by car. This canyon is known as the most spectacular and scenic landscape feature in the Texas Panhandle, where you can enjoy hiking, biking and horseback riding.

If you want to cool off after your adventures in the city or the great outdoors, you can hop in the hotel's indoor swimming pool or hot tub to unwind before heading out to explore the dining options in the city, known for its Texan cuisine.

Fall in love with the landscape in Colorado Springs

About halfway through your road trip, you will come across the town of Colorado Springs, about 9 hours and 30 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, which means that it is a great place to stop for the night during the last leg of your trip.

This place provides majestic views of the iconic Pikes Peak. You can even drive up the mountain yourself in the summer months, a once in a lifetime experience.

Stop by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is rated one of the best zoos in the country. The zoo is nestled on the side of a mountain and walking around the zoo is a hike of its own. and you can feed the giraffes or visit the new Penguin Exhibit here.

Afterwards, stay at The Garden of the Gods Club & Resort. This Colorado resort boasts stylish rooms equipped with luxurious amenities and is known as one of the best in the whole state. You can enjoy sunset mountain views while enjoying dinner at their restaurant.

The resort is located only a short drive from downtown, which has plenty to offer. Walk Tejon Street, which is lined with restaurants and bars. Walk around and go shopping afterwards at the local spice and candy shops.

If you feel up for it, you can walk to many of the popular attractions while visiting downtown, such as the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum before heading to the hotel for a relaxing soak in the pool or a game on the exclusive golf course.

Hit the slopes in Winter Park

Nestled off of US-6, Winter Park is a famous ski town that is located a little over an hour from Denver. Spend the day hitting the slopes or even trying their snow tubing hill! In the summer months, you can take advantage of one of their many hiking options as well.

The downtown village has everything you might need covered, including delicious dining options. Restaurants such as Fontenot's Seafood, Deno's Mountain Bistro and Paellas Restaurant are just a few to name.

Make sure to stop by the Winter Park Resort which is known for its snowy ski slopes. In the summer months, you can try their alpine slide or putting course. Yoga is offered on the mountain as well if you want to namaste before being in the car all day.

Enjoy a night off at the Winter Park Chateau, a wonderful boutique hotel , with gorgeous terrace to enjoy the views and fabulous hot tubs to help you unwind after your day at the slopes.

Stopping by Winter Park is a must on your way from Dallas as it is also a great way to visit the famous Colorado Rocky Mountains before you reach Yellowstone National Park.

Things to see on a road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone

Road tripping through several states and the Rocky Mountains provides many things to see. This makes your itinerary even more interesting with so much to see and do!

Here are the best places to stop off between Dallas and Yellowstone National Park.

• Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton - This century-old mining camp features opportunities for boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking trails, and exceptional bird watching.
• Amarillo Botanical Gardens, Amarillo - A beautiful oasis in this charming city, these gardens are split into fragrance, butterfly, Japanese and xeric gardens and provide a perfect urban oasis for the tired traveler.
• Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon - Palo Duro Canyon is known as the most spectacular and scenic landscape feature in the Texas Panhandle, where you can hike, bike and horseback ride.
• Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo - A quirky installation art features ten upright Cadillacs covered with graffiti and tells the history of the Cadillac brand line.
• Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico - Take a break at this stunning forest and see some amazing wildlife. You can also take advantage of the recreation opportunities on offer, such as hiking, fishing and enjoying a scenic picnic.
• Carson National Forest, New Mexico - This forest is home to the Wheeler Peak, which is the highest in New Mexico and features options opportunities for skiing, viewing prehistoric ruins, ice caves, lava flows, and biking.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs - One of the most popular zoos in the country, you can view hippos, penguins, giraffes, otters and elephants here.
• Colorado Springs, Colorado - Known as the "Olympic City", Colorado Springs is home to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Tejon Street, US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.
• Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado - Drive this scenic windy road to the top of the Colorado mountains which sits over 14,000 feet.
• Denver, Colorado - Known for its blue skies and panoramic mountain views, Denver is home to the famous Larimer Square, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, Union Station, Denver Botanical Gardens and Denver Art Museum.
• Idaho Springs, Colorado - This charming old mining town is known for its local coffee shops and delicious restaurants. You can enjoy its hot springs in winter or rafting in summer.
• St. Mary's Glacier, Colorado - This scenic short hike is located a short distance from Idaho Springs, Colorado, and features stunning glacier views.
• Royal Gorge Bridge, Canon City - The highest and most famous suspension bridge in America, where you can enjoy scenic views. There is also an adventure park located in the premises where you can enjoy adrenaline-packed rides.
• Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Walden - This region is known as "the North Park" and supports diverse wildlife habitats, including sagebrush steppe uplands, grassland meadows, and willow riparian areas, as well as wetlands.
• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado - A spectacular range of mountain environments that range from meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks. A must-visit for every nature lover!
• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming -Only a few miles south of Yellowstone National Park, this area features stunningly scenic hiking trails. You can also enjoy winter sports in the right seasons.

Best time to go on a road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone

The best time to go to Yellowstone National Park is from April to October. It is good to remember you will be traveling through several climate zones and while Dallas may still be in warm temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, Wyoming could be covered in snow.

Winter temperatures in the Yellowstone area can fall to freezing temperatures around zero degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure to check road warnings and whether the attractions are open before you visit the park.

Yellowstone's south entrance will also close in the winter months, which means adding another four to six hours to your road trip because you would have to use the west entrance in Montana.

Most people visit in the summer and go through the South Entrance to ensure they can see the whole park while the weather is pleasant around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

You will also have the opportunity to attend a Powwow Celebration if you are visiting in June or July, which will give you a great opportunity to spend a fun day out in the sun as you learn about the history and traditions of Native American cultures.

If you choose to visit in the winter, be sure to avoid US-6 in Colorado, instead take I-25 North the whole way. The driving time will be the same, but US-6 can become very icy and snowy, combined with mountain passes that could close.

However, visiting in winter has its own perks as you will get to see some unique phenomena in the park, one of which is the Old Faithful geyser that erupts boiling hot water every 74 minutes on average, which then turns into magical clouds of snow.

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An Epic West Texas and New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary (12 Days)

April 24, 2021.

You might imagine the landscape of West Texas and Southern New Mexico to be full of endless roads and flat farmland. While that landscape is there, there are also incredible mountain ranges, boundless sand dunes, a massive cave system, and more!

The four national parks on this itinerary are some of the least visited national parks in the US, making this vacation perfect if you’re hoping to escape crowds. This epic 12 day itinerary will bring you to four national parks, five state parks and several hidden gems and tips along the way.

This Underrated USA road trip itinerary covers a visit to all of the national parks in Texas and New Mexico. Texas is home to Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, while New Mexico is home to White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns.

Along the way, there are several Texas state parks and other incredible places to visit. This route includes recommendations of where to stay, the best hiking trails and what to eat along the way.

This post includes information on several hikes. If you are new to hiking, prepare by reading these beginner hiker tips . If you are looking for new hiking gear, read my recommendations in this ultimate day hike packing list .

Please make it a priority to Leave No Trace when exploring the outdoors. This includes leaving nothing behind, respecting wildlife, minimizing campfire impacts, respecting those around you, planning ahead and traveling on durable surfaces. For more details, read about the seven principles at lnt.org .

Table of Contents

Tips for a desert road trip, what to pack on a desert road trip, when to visit west texas and new mexico, start your road trip from el paso, el paso to terlingua, basecamp terlingua, tin valley retro rentals, willow house, the local chapter, where to eat dinner in terlingua, big bend mountain hiking - lost mine or window trail, big bend river hiking - santa elena canyon, hot springs trail or boquillas canyon trail, big bend desert hiking - grapevine hills trail, float on the rio grande, visit mexico from big bend, arrive in marfa, the lincoln marfa, hotel saint george, breakfast in marfa, prada marfa, lunch in marfa, art in marfa, enjoy a beer garden in marfa, dinner in marfa, see the mysterious marfa lights, davis mountains state park, lunch in fort davis, mcdonald observatory, where to stay in fort davis, fort davis historic site, monahans sandhills, day eight - hike guadalupe peak, devil’s hall and mckittrick canyon, carlsbad caverns national park, dinner in el paso, breakfast in el paso, franklin mountains state park.

• Keep your car full of gas by refilling whenever you can. Parts of this road trip are remote and you may be many miles from the next gas station.
• Bring plenty of water and food so that you are prepared if you cannot find restaurants or services when you’d like.
• This desert region can be extremely hot in the summer. Bring sunscreen and be prepared for heat.
• Download offline maps and/or bring a paper map for navigation without cell service.
• Be prepared for a time change. El Paso and all of New Mexico are in mountain time while the Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend are in Central Time. My phone kept switching back and forth while hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains. This may be especially important for your timed entry into Carlsbad Caverns.
• If you are flying in and renting a car, be sure to book the rental car several months in advance. As of this writing, the US is experiencing a rental car shortage.

• Plenty of road trip snacks!
• A lot of water and water bottles to refill.
• Sun protection, including sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
• Sturdy hiking shoes and trekking poles if you prefer them for hiking.
• Paper maps. I recommend National Geographic’s ‘Trails Illustrated’ maps . There is at least one for each national park.
• A bathing suit. There are a few opportunities to swim along the way.
• Shoes you are willing to wear for crossing a river.
• Lots of layers. While you may experience high heat in the desert, the weather can change quickly in the mountains and get cold without warning.
• A sled for the sand dunes (you can rent them but it’s pricey).
• A passport, if you plan on crossing the border into Mexico.

Most of the places on this itinerary are accessible to visit year round. Consider your tolerance to high heat in the summer or possible snow in the winter as you decide when to visit.

I believe fall is the best time to visit because there is beautiful fall foliage in the Guadalupe Mountains and the weather is mild. Spring is also a great time for mild weather and for seeing wildflowers in Big Bend, but you may experience high winds in the Guadalupe Mountains.

As you can see below, Big Bend maintains a higher temperature than the Guadalupe Mountains due to its lower elevation.

Here are the average temperatures in the two Texas national parks throughout the year:

I visited Big Bend in June and it was very hot, but tolerable. I visited the Guadalupe Mountains and New Mexico in late April and had wonderful weather, however there were very high winds right before and after my trip.

Day One - El Paso to Big Bend

To begin this Texas National Park road trip, I recommend flying into El Paso, Texas and renting a car. El Paso is home to the closest major airport to all of the parks on this trip. Almost all of the major airlines in the United States fly at least one route into El Paso.

For reference if you are driving from somewhere else, El Paso is 6½ hours from Phoenix, 4 hours from Albuquerque and 9 hours from Dallas.

Before you leave El Paso, stop at a grocery store and stock up on plenty of food and water for the road. When you’re ready, begin your road trip by driving to the furthest destination and making your way backwards. The drive from El Paso to Big Bend National Park is about 5 hours. Make your way there and settle in to stay in Terlingua for the next 3 nights.

Where to Stay in Terlingua

Terlingua is located right outside of Big Bend National Park and has a number of unique accommodations for visitors. Terlingua is the perfect place for glamping, as there are incredible night skies and the peace and quiet of the desert is unmatched. These are the properties I recommend, but keep in mind that they book up quickly so you should book early if possible.

Basecamp Terlingua offers a number of different accommodation options but the one that drew me in was their clear bubbles. The clear domes are perfect for stargazing and include a comfortable bed, bathroom, fire pit and living space.

Keep in mind that the bubbles are inflatable so there are two zip-up doors as you enter. You can only have one door open at a time or it will deflate. There are walls outside of the bubble that are strategically placed giving you privacy from the other guests.

From the bubble, you’ll experience incredible views of the desert and Chisos Mountains in the distance. The best part is the star gazing outside of the clear dome on a clear night. If you want to stay here, book early. The bookings for the bubbles fill up quickly, especially on weekends. I booked my stay 11 months in advance.

Tin Valley Retro Rentals has a special place in my heart. The property offers multiple options for glamping; options include a vintage airstream with a painted toilet , a boat on land and a spinning cuddle bug raised above the ground.

White Tin Valley is located 40 minutes from the main entrance of Big Bend, it is right up against the mountains which makes for beautiful views. The property is also home to a burro named Sampson, friendly cats and pigs.

I stayed in the spinning cuddle bug and it was more comfortable than I could have imagined. There is a mattress and blankets, curtains on the windows and a charger for your phone. Next to the bug, there is a picnic table and fire pit. It’s incredible to gaze up at the night skies from this secluded place.

Some accommodations at Tin Valley have bathrooms and others do not. For the ones that don’t (like the spinning bug), there is an outhouse and outdoor shower nearby. With a 4 mile drive, guests can also use the pool and bathroom facilities at Terlingua Ranch Lodge.

Willow House is a gorgeous place to stay right outside of Big Bend. Concrete casitas face the Chisos Mountain Range with unobstructed views. The accommodation is meant to be a place where travelers connect and cook in a communal kitchen, sit around the fire and make new friends.

The Local Chapter is another beautiful accommodation comprised of yurts. This relaxing accommodation is adults only and right on the border of Big Bend National Park. The decor is absolutely stunning, which is unsurprising as these yurts were designed as a “retreat for the design-minded adventurer.”

The most iconic place to eat in Terlingua is the Starlight Theatre . This establishment is a restaurant and saloon with a lively atmosphere, live music and a large menu. They serve chili, burgers, tamales and more along with cold beer and cocktails.

It’s also worth walking around the “Terlingua Ghost Town” where you’ll find ruins of an old mining town. There is an abandoned mine shaft, a graveyard and shells of former buildings.

Depending on where you’re staying, it also might be nice to cook your own food or bring a picnic back to your accommodation to enjoy along with the expansive desert views. Cottonwood General Store has a variety of food options.

Day Two - Hike in Big Bend National Park

Visiting Big Bend is one of best things to do in West Texas. Spend the day hiking in the desert, mountains and river landscapes that make up this magical Texas National Park. Big Bend is over 800,000 acres of mountains and desert and follows a large bend in the Rio Grande River . The Rio Grande River is all that separates the US and Mexico in this region.

There are three distinct types of landscape that you can visit in Big Bend National Park. I recommend doing at least one hike in each part: the mountains, the desert and the river.

Keep in mind that everything in the park is quite spread out and there may be long driving times between each hike.

Start early to beat the heat with one of the mountain hikes, the Lost Mine Trail or the Window Trail . The Lost Mine Trail is 4.8 miles and is a steady climb up to amazing views. The trail has several switchbacks offering better and better views of the surrounding canyons.

When you reach the top, there are 360 views of the Chisos Mountains and the Sierra del Carmen in Mexico. The trail is also full of greenery with a pine forest, which is a nice contrast against the desert landscape. It is called the Lost Mine Trail for its view of the Lost Mine Peak, the second highest peak in Big Bend. There are only a few parking spots at this trail, so you’ll want to have a back up plan in case they are full.

Nearby, the Window Trail (5.2 miles) also offers beautiful views. It begins right next to the Chisos Basin Visitor Center and descends down to a window between rock faces. There is a mix of stone steps and some rock scrambling at the end.

If you do one hike in Big Bend, the Santa Elena trail is probably the most iconic. The trail is 1.5 miles with 610 feet in elevation gain. It begins with crossing the Terlingua Creek and continues with steps taking you up and back down the canyon.

At the end of the Santa Elena Trail, you’ll be only feet away from Mexico with canyon walls towering up around you. After rainfall, the Terlingua Creek can flood and be difficult to cross, so be sure to check current conditions.

The Hot Springs Trail is a 1.2 mile loop that follows the magnificent Rio Grande River. You can enjoy the views along this round trip hike, or just walk directly to the hot springs for 0.5 miles round trip.

There are 105 degree fahrenheit springs contained within the ruins of an old bathhouse. These waters are thought to be good for the body and soul. Note that if the Rio Grande floods, it can cover the hot spring in rocks, mud and debris.

The Boquillas Canyon Trail offers a great view of the Rio Grande and is located deep inside of the park. The trail is 1.4 miles and begins with a short ascend up a cliff and continues onto a sandy shore.

Boquillas is a great spot to take a dip in the Rio Grande if the water is at a good height during your visit. You’re likely to spot wild horses, colorful lizards along the way and tamales or gifts sold by local Mexicans along the way.

The Grapevine Hills Trail is an easy trail that gives you a great perspective on the desert landscape of Big Bend. It leads to a fascinating and giant balanced rock. The hike is 1.9 miles with little elevation gain and little shade. It is recommended to have 4-wheel drive to make it to the trailhead.

If you are just interested in visiting the Big Bend region, head over to my blog post on road tripping between Big Bend and Marfa .

Day Three - More Activities in Big Bend National Park

While you could easily spend days hiking in Big Bend, there are also some special excursions to check out that are unique to the region.

I recommend taking a river float trip on the Rio Grande River during your visit. Depending on where you take this trip, you can float through the tall canyon walls of Santa Elena, Colorado Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park or other spots. The Rio Grande has been low for many years, so there are not a lot of rapids. You may need to use a canoe instead of a raft when the water is especially low.

You have the option to bring your own float or canoe (be sure to obtain a permit) or go on a guided tour. Guided tours range from half days to multi-day trips with camping overnight. There are even guided tours lasting 3 weeks! I recommend Big Bend River Tours , the oldest river outfitter in the area for guided tours.

Another unique excursion that you should consider doing at Big Bend is crossing over to Mexico at the Boquillas border crossing . As of this writing, the border is closed due to Covid-19, but keep it in mind if you visit in the future! In order to cross the border, you’ll need a Passport or Passport Card.

To cross the river, you can pay $5 for a rowboat across the river or walk across if the water is low enough. When you arrive in Mexico, you can either walk a ½ mile or pay for a burro or vehicle ride to reach the town of Boquillas. Once in town, there are a couple of restaurants. My Airbnb host recommended Falcon’s for delicious tacos and tequila.

Other activities near Big Bend include horseback riding, Jeep tours and ATV tours.

Day Four - Travel from Big Bend to Marfa

Big bend ranch state park.

Big Bend Ranch State Park is a smaller and much less crowded park not far from Big Bend National Park. Just driving through the park makes for an incredible scenic drive right along the Rio Grande River. There are several viewpoints along the way to pull over and take in the views.

I highly recommend hiking the Closed Canyon trail, a trail that descends into a slot canyon. The trail is 1.4 miles and gets narrower as you go further inside. As you get far along the trail, you start to climb down large boulders. You can continue down the trail until it becomes impassable.

Another quick trail to stop at as you pass through the park is the Hoodoo Trail. The trail is 1.1 miles with little elevation. It includes an overlook of the Rio Grande River, views of Hoodoos, a balanced rock and plenty of desert plant life.

The drive from Big Bend Ranch to the town of Marfa is about an hour and a half. You’ll stay in Marfa for two nights.

Marfa is a small town known for its modern art and mysterious lights. The town is surrounded by the Davis Mountains to the north, the Chisos Mountains to the southeast and the Chinati Mountains to the Southwest, making it the highest incorporated city in Texas.

The small town was the film location of James Dean’s final movie, Giant, which included Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. In 1971, the minimalist artist Donald Judd moved from New York City to Marfa and built permanent installations of his art.

Today, you can visit the Chinati Foundation and see a unique collection of architecture and art. Ever since the opening of the Chinati Foundation in the 80’s, Marfa has developed an international reputation as a modern art destination. You can also visit a variety of art galleries in the town.

Where to Stay in Marfa

I stayed at El Cosmico , a destination for glamping, dutch tubs and bohemian vibes. They offer trailers, yurts, tepees, safari tents and the space to pitch your own tent. The trailers are all uniquely decorated and designed. There is one that mirrors the sky and the others range from bright yellow to silver to purple and more.

I was placed in the green and white trailer, one of the large trailers on the property. The tiny home had everything I could need, from comfortable robes, to a chemex for coffee and a soft bed. The trailer also came with an outdoor shower, which was a bit difficult to use comfortably, but still nice.

The Lincoln Marfa offers short term and long term stays in a building that used to be an apartment complex. The owners did a great job renovating the space to be well designed for guests. Each room is unique and full of Marfa-inspired details. There are a variety of room sizes available for different size groups and even options for bringing your pet.

Hotel Saint George is a luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Marfa. The original Saint George Hotel was built in 1886 and many elements from the original building have been salvaged. There are great amenities offered, like a beautiful pool and a nice restaurant.

Day Five - Spend A Day in Marfa

Keep in mind that a lot of restaurants and activities in Marfa have limited hours and are closed on weekdays and Sundays. Your best bet for experiencing the town to its fullest is to schedule your time in Marfa for a Saturday.

I recommend Marfa Burrito for a filling breakfast. The restaurant is located right across from El Cosmico and seems unassuming at first, but is truly a gem. All ingredients at Marfa Burrito are homemade: from the hand rolled tortillas to the fresh salsas.

They serve up giant burritos with your choice of egg & potato, egg & cheese, egg & chorizo and more. Keep in mind that they are typically closed on Sundays and are only open for breakfast and lunch.

For coffee in town, visit Frama. In addition to a variety of coffee options, they serve homemade ice cream and smoothies. On the porch area in front of Frama, there is a fun “Greetings from Marfa” mural that is perfect for photos!

You can’t visit Marfa without making the trip to Prada Marfa. This unique art installation is essentially a fully stocked Prada store in the middle of nowhere. It was built in 2005 by artists Elmgreen and Dragset. While you can make your own interpretation about the meaning behind this unique art piece, it is often interpreted as a criticism of consumerism.

The art piece is located 40 minutes west of Marfa and is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. It’s fascinating to see this single building stand by itself, right along the road in with the vast desert behind it. You can also bring a lock to adorne on the fence behind the building.

Food Shark is a mediterranean restaurant in Marfa tha offers seating inside of a vintage school bus. Enjoy delicious hummus, falafel and more among retro fixtures and quirky places to sit. At this writing, the restaurant is only open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at lunch time.

The Chinati Foundation is an iconic place to visit in Marfa. This contemporary art museum has a collection of artwork by famous artists such as Donald Judd, Robert Irwin and Dan Flavin. There are outdoor and indoor portions of the museum. At this writing, only the outdoor portion is open for touring.

There are several art galleries and shops to explore in Marfa. Wrong Marfa is a beautiful gallery and store that curates unique and handmade products. Other galleries include The Rule Gallery, the Martin Maria Studio and Marfa Open. Hours for most of the galleries are limited at this time due to Covid-19, so be sure to check websites for details.

Planet Marfa is a great place to enjoy a beer on an outdoor patio. The quirky space has a tepee, a tree house, a vintage school bus and more unique decor. They serve a small menu of beer, wine and a few bar food options like nachos.

For a delicious and nice bistro and wine garden, Al Campo Marfa is the perfect dinner spot. The restaurant is South American-inspired and has an extensive wine menu. Food options include a charcuterie board, tacos, queso and a beet salad.

The Marfa Lights are a mysterious phenomenon that occur out in the desert near Marfa. There is an impressive viewing area for the lights, complete with nice bathrooms, informational signs and plenty of space to spread out and bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

At around dusk, you may start to see lights in the distance. I saw them very clearly while visiting in June. They are essentially small bright lights in the distance that move across the horizon and then fade away. I am a believer that they come from the headlights of cars driving on Highway 67, but many believe they cannot be explained. See for yourself to decide.

Day Six - Davis Mountains and Nearby

Davis Mountains State Park is located 30 minutes north of Marfa and is known for a small range of desert mountains. The CCC-built park has several hiking trails, a wonderful bird watching area, horseback riding trails and a lodge with a refreshing swimming pool.

Spend the morning on the Skyline Drive Trail to ascend up to beautiful views of the Keesey Canyon. Combine this trail with the Old CCC Trail to create a 3.3 mile loop. Visit the Lookout Tower and Limpia Creek Vista for more views around the park.

Head to downtown Fort Davis for lunch and check out the Fort Davis Drug Store . This restaurant serves milkshakes, a selection of burgers, sandwiches, pizza and more, but are most known for their chicken fried steak.

The atmosphere feels as if you’ve stepped into a classic western diner with checkerboard curtains, a saloon-like exterior and an old-fashioned soda fountain. The restaurant originally opened in 1913 and moved to its current location in 1951. Grab a bite to eat and shop in the giftshop before hitting the road again.

McDonald Observatory is another wonderful place to stop near Fort Davis. The observatory is just 20 minutes from Davis Mountains State Park and is home to one of the largest optical telescopes in the world.

You can visit the observatory in the daytime and explore the exhibits and outdoor telescopes or in the evening to star gaze. Purchase admission to the nightly Star Party for live views through the telescope at night. At this writing, advance reservations are required for visiting McDonald Observatory.

The Indian Lodge in Davis Mountains State Park is a great place to stay. The white adobe building has a refreshing pool, a restaurant and 39 guest rooms of varying sizes. Make sure you book early because the rooms go quickly.

Other lodging options in Fort Davis include the Fort Davis Drug Store which offers 6 guest rooms above the classic restaurant, Davis Mountains Inn for a quaint bed and breakfast and Hotel Limpia which has been around since 1912.

Day Seven - Drive from Fort Davis to Carlsbad

One more stop worth making in Fort Davis is the Fort Davis Historic Site. The fort served as a frontier military outpost most active in the mid 1800’s. While visiting, you can learn in the visitor center, explore ruins from the fort and enjoy hiking trails. The Scenic Overlook Trail is 0.4 miles and offers an amazing view of the fort from above.

When you are finished exploring Fort Davis, make your way toward Carlsbad, New Mexico. The drive is about 3 hours. If you have enough time, consider making a detour to visit Monahans Sandhills State Park on the way.

This state park is another beautiful place to visit in West Texas! This will add about an hour to your drive. Monahans Sandhills is made up of white sand dunes. It seemingly pops up out of nowhere as you drive past the desert landscapes and oil pumps of west Texas.

The park is easy to see in an hour or two. Pack snacks and water and enjoy the views of the sand, or hike out into the dunes and try your hand at some fun photography. You can also rent sand disks from the park visitor center and enjoy sledding down the dunes. This park does not really compare in magnitude to White Sands National Park but it will give you a little taste of what’s to come.

Monahans Sandhills is a little over 2 hours from Carlsbad, which is where I recommend staying for the night. You’ll stay in Carlsbad, New Mexico for two nights and use it as a base for exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Carlsbad has several chain hotel options to fit any budget and offers the best lodging near Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Wake up in Carlsbad and make your way down to the Pine Springs Visitor Center in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is about an hour drive between the two locations.

If you are an experienced hiker, I highly recommend the Guadalupe Peak Trail to hike to the tallest peak in Texas. The trailhead for the hike is located at the Pine Springs area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and is 8.4 miles round trip with a 2,952 foot elevation gain. The entire hike is very steep but is highly rewarding. The top has incredible views of the surrounding area.

You can find more details on this hike in my Guadalupe Mountain blog post .

After spending the day doing this grueling hike, enjoy a relaxing evening back at your hotel in Carlsbad.

Day Nine - Devil’s Hall and Carlsbad Caverns

Start your day by heading back down to the Pine Springs Visitor Center to hike the Devil’s Hall Trail.

The Devil’s Hall Trail is 3.6 miles round trip with a 577 foot elevation gain. The first half of the hike is well maintained with a slight but steady incline.

After about a mile, you will enter into a wash where you’ll climb over a series of white boulders. After climbing through the wash, you’ll reach a natural staircase and then a natural hallway with 100 foot limestone walls. This hike is one of my favorites of the trip. It is not overly difficult and has an incredible landscape.

If you have more time in the Guadalupe Mountains, and especially if you are visiting in the fall, be sure to visit McKittrick Canyon . The fall leaves are incredible here. This area is for day use only and has a trail that goes deep into mountains (you can choose how far you’d like to go) and a very short nature loop trail right by the parking lot.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is an incredible sight to behold. The national park is home to the largest single cave chamber in North America and you can explore it at your own pace. There are actually 119 caves at this national park, but the Big Room and Natural Entrance Trails are the most popular and the only areas you can explore without a guide.

To visit, be sure to make a reservation for your entry in advance. As you begin your self guided tour, you’ll be able to choose between entering through the natural entrance or taking the elevator. If you’re physically able, taking the natural entrance trail is a must. The trail enters the cave through a series of steep switchbacks which are equivalent to walking down the stairs in a 75-story building.

As you enter, you’ll likely see bats flying around. Further into the cave, the rock formations will become more and more interesting. The natural entrance trail is 1.25 miles of walking before it connects over to the Big Room trail. The Big Room trail is 1.25 mile loop and flat.

The room was called a “Grand Canyon with a roof over it” by comedian Will Rogers and I’d say that’s an accurate description. The room is full of giant stalagmites and stalactites, clumps of soda straw formations hanging from the ceiling, grottos with popcorn rock formations and more.

The paved trails have benches and railings throughout. Take your time and admire the beautiful formations. After a few hours on the self-guided tour, stay to watch the bats emerge from the cave entrance. The bats fly out of the entrance every night around dusk. There are seats available in the amphitheater to watch the occurrence and rangers will talk about the bats prior to the flight. This occurs from late-May to October.

Day Ten - Visit White Sands and Las Cruces

On day ten, make your way from Carlsbad to White Sands National Park. The drive to get there is 3 hours with beautiful views of Lincoln National Forest along the way.

White Sands National Park

When you arrive at White Sands there are several ways to experience the beauty of the park. Start with arriving at the visitor center, where you can see an exhibit (currently closed due to pandemic) and pick up needed items. This is the last place to fill up on water before entering the park.

Then, you can enjoy a scenic drive as you enter on Dunes Drive. The road is an 8 mile journey with stunning views. You’ll see the landscape change from sand dunes full of plant life to bright white tall dunes as far as you can see.

One of the quintessential activities in the park is sledding down the dunes. Sleds are available to purchase from the visitor center but bring your own if possible. While sledding, pick a very steep hill and use wax to pick up speed.

Another incredible way to explore the park is by hiking into the Sand Dunes. There are 5 established trails in the park with varying difficulties. One of the easiest trails is the Interdune Boardwalk trail, which is 0.4 miles long and wheelchair accessible. The hardest hike, Alkali Flat Trail , is 5 miles long with 52 feet in elevation change.

For more details on visiting White Sands, head over to my White Sands blog post .

After exploring White Sands, make your way over to Las Cruces, a historic town about an hour away. When you arrive, be sure to visit the Old Mesilla square, a beautiful park surrounded by an old church and a variety of restaurants and shops.

On the square, you can visit the Billy the Kid Gift Shop , located inside of an Old Courthouse, and shop for souvenirs. To eat and drink at the square, visit La Posta de Mesilla for delicious Mexican food with a beautiful ambience and Double Eagle for a steakhouse. Double Eagle is also a great place for a drink, it is known for being haunted!

Another great place to eat nearby is Andele . Andele is a huge restaurant and runs a very smooth curbside pickup. I tried their chile relleno and cheese enchiladas and they were delicious and full of flavor.

Not far from Old Mesilla Square, Caliche’s is the perfect place for dessert. Caliche’s has been open for 25 years and has retro vibes with neon signs. They serve a variety of options of sundaes, milkshakes, custard and more. I got the strawberry shortcake caliche and it was so creamy and delicious. It had a very long line so be sure to allow some extra time, but it’s worth the wait.

Stay for the night in Las Cruces (check out Hotel Enchanto ) or make the 45 minute drive down to El Paso for the next couple of nights.

Day Eleven - Hueco Tanks State Park

Spend the rest of your trip exploring El Paso and the surrounding area. Start with visiting Hueco Tanks State Park . Hueco Tanks is one of the most unique Texas State Parks I have visited.

It is a sacred place for the Kiowa, Mescalero Apache, Comanche, Tigua and the people of Isleta del Norte Pueblo and the park is home to many pictographs and petroglyphs. The park is home to the largest grouping of masks or face designs in North America with over 200 of them.

To visit, you must make a reservation in advance over the phone and watch a 15 minute orientation video when you arrive. There are four separate rock mountains inside of the park and only one is available for self guided exploration. The others can be visited with a ranger led tour.

For the self guided exploration of the North Mountain, only 70 people are allowed on the rock at a time. It is a popular place for rock climbing as well as hiking. Be sure to bring plenty of water and download All Trails maps if you’re hiking on the North Mountains.

I found it very easy to get lost with no unmarked trails. There are a few different areas of petroglyphs to discover on the mountain, such as the Kiva Cave on the park map. The cave is hard to find so download All Trails and ask for directions at the visitor center.

Also beware that I saw over a dozen barbary sheep while exploring the mountain, which are known to be aggressive.

Where to stay in El Paso

I recommend staying at the Indigo Hotel in El Paso for a central downtown location and great value. The hotel includes a rooftop pool and bar which are perfect for relaxing after a long day. The rooms each have a cute little succulent outside of the door and are full of cute decor and artwork.

Inside of the Indigo Hotel, Mamacitas is a great place to eat for dinner. They serve Tex-Mex and handcrafted cocktails. They also have an extensive breakfast menu.

If the Hotel Indigo isn’t your style, there is a large variety of other hotel and Airbnb options in and around El Paso depending on your budget and interests.

El Paso is known to have some of the best Mexican food in the USA based on its proximity to the Mexico border. Great places to eat for traditional Mexican food include L & J Cafe, a family-run Mexican restaurant that dates back to 1927 and Elotes Pepe Y Mas, a Mexican restaurant known for their churros.

For fine dining, visit Cafe Central. The restaurant was originally located in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico until Prohibition times when it migrated into El Paso. It has a beautiful New Orleans style courtyard and a finely crafted menu.

Day Twelve - Franklin Mountains State Park

Coffee Box is a unique and ecletic destination for breakfast and coffee in downtown El Paso. The shop is located inside of a renovated shipping container painted with a colorful mural. On top of their menu of classic coffees, they also serve fun flavors like a pistachio latte. They also have a wide selection of tea and food that includes muffins, bagels, cinnamon rolls and more.

The Franklin Mountains are a beautiful West Texas state park located entirely within the city limits of El Paso. The park offers a number of different trails of varying difficulty. You’ll need to start by checking in at the Franklin Mountains visitor center located on Tom Mays Road.

From there, you can drive deeper inside and hike to a cave, get a viewpoint of New Mexico from the Upper Sunset Loop and even go rock climbing. I enjoyed the Aztec Cave Trail , which is 1.2 miles with a 419 foot elevation gain. The trail is very steep with no shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water. At times, the rocks are loose and a bit slippery. When you reach the top, there is a large cave to explore.

In another unit of the park about 20 minutes away, you can hike the Thousand Steps trail (2.8 miles) for a great view of El Paso and the B-36 Crash trail (2.3 miles) to see plane wreckage.

If you have more time in El Paso, other popular attractions include the El Paso Museum of Art , the El Paso Mission Trail and the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens .

Enjoy your epic New Mexico and West Texas road trip and be sure to save this on Pinterest for future planning!

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The 5 Best National Park Road Trips in the U.S.

From western landscapes to the Blue Ridge Parkway, our national park expert maps out five beautiful road trips—all doable in a week

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Here’s the dream: Quit your job and hit all 64 national parks in one huge multi-month road trip where you live mostly in a van and finally see all of these iconic landscapes for yourself. To call that dream unrealistic is an understatement, at least for me, for a variety of reasons (see “quit job,” above), though it’s been accomplished by an Outside writer.

The closest I’ve ever come was in my 20s, spending a month driving around the Rocky Mountains and American Southwest in my VW Jetta during summer break from graduate school. A decade or so later, I re-created that trip with my wife and our then four-year-old twins. Both experiences were awesome. One of them had more tantrums.

You can plan a great park trip that captures the open-road spirit on a smaller scale. Below, I’ve outlined five itineraries that take in multiple parks, all within a week. I picked a variety of terrain—lonely desert basins, ice-cold swimming holes, perfect hikes, and cultural wonders. There are one or two classic routes.

But mostly, I chose these because they go to parks that don’t get the massive amount of attention some of their cousins receive. So gas or charge up and go.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway, from Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains

Virginia/north carolina, distance: 470 miles, duration: four-plus days.

This trip is in my backyard, so I’m biased, but it’s also awesome, because the entire 470-plus-mile route is within a national-park unit. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 469 miles along the peaks and valleys of the Southern Appalachian mountain range, connecting two of the country’s most-visited national parks, Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina/Tennessee and Shenandoah in Virginia.

Driving the entire length of the parkway is slow (speed limit is between 25 and 45 miles per hour) and full of curves in the road, and also overlooks,  side hikes to swimming holes, and mountain hikes through a lush landscape with elevations that top 6,000 feet. And that’s just the road between the two great national parks.

Heading south on the parkway, you will find picnic areas, trailheads, and scenic views. Give yourself at least a couple of days to complete the road alone, making sure to hike the three-mile out-and-back Sharp Top Trail in the Peaks of Otter area near Bedford, Virginia, which leads to a panoramic view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Mountains. When you get to North Carolina, hit Grandfather Mountain State Park, where you can climb the 7.6-mile out-and-back Profile Trail , scrambling along outcroppings and climbing ladders to the summit of the 5,964-foot Callaway Peak.

Adventures in Shenandoah: Located just 70 miles west of Washington, D.C, Shenandoah National Park is home to 200,000 acres of 4,000-foot peaks, dense hardwood forest, waterfalls, and historic farmland. The most popular hike is also one of the park’s toughest; Old Rag Circuit is a 9.2-mile loop that requires rock scrambling with some use of your hands to reach Old Rag Mountain, which offers 360-degree views of the park and surrounding farmland. You need a permit to hike the mountain between March 1 and November 30. It’s only $2, but permits are limited to 800 a day, so get them up to 30 days in advance .

If you’re looking to cool off, hike the Whiteoak Canyon/Cedar Run Circuit , an 8.1-mile loop that gains 3,000 feet while traversing two tight gorges packed with waterfalls and swimming holes. Lower and Upper Whiteoak Canyon Falls are the highlights, as Upper Falls drops 86 feet between narrow canyon walls, and Lower Falls has a primo plunge pool.

Adventures in Great Smoky Mountains : The Smokies comprise a mix of rocky streams stacked with waterfalls and swimming holes, and steep slopes thick with vegetation. It’s hard to get across just how green this park is. On the northern end, you’ll find Midnight Hole, a deep, cold swimming hole at the base of a small waterfall. The pool is lined with 15-foot boulders, and locals like to jump from them into the deep part. Access is via the easy three-mile out-and-back Big Creek Trail . If you want to ditch the crowds (GSMNP gets 14 million visitors a year), hike deeper into the park. Ramsey Cascades Trail is an eight-mile round trip through stands of old-growth tulip poplars to the 100-foot Ramsey Cascade, the tallest waterfall inside the park.

A few historic fire lookout towers still stand inside the park, but the most scenic is Mount Cammerer, a circular wooden building perched on a rocky outcropping, nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, offering views of 5,000- and 6,000-foot peaks as well as the Pigeon River Gorge. Hike this 11.6-mile out and back from Big Creek Parking Area, and you will do a piece of the Appalachian Trail, enjoying scenic stretches along Big Creek before climbing to the ridgeline.

Stay : In Shenandoah, Big Meadows is a historic stone-and-chestnut lodge in the middle of the park. Choose from lodge rooms or rustic cabins (from $251 a night ), and wander the mile to Big Meadow after dark for stargazing . Lodges and campgrounds are spaced all along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, so it’s easy to break the journey up into chunks if you’re not in a hurry. Julian Price Campground is one of the most popular overnights ($20 per night, reserve six months in advance). The 190-site facility sits next to Julian Price Lake, where you can rent canoes . Under Canvas has a glamping resort on 182 acres of hardwood forest near the Gatlinburg entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each fully furnished safari-style tent has a private bathroom, and the place features live music, campfires at night, and yoga in the morning, not to mention an on-site restaurant with seasonal dishes and craft beer.

2. Joshua Tree to Death Valley, California

Distance: 250 miles, duration: at least three days.

This route will take you to an underappreciated gem.

Is it weird to spend several days in Southern California and not go to the beach? Well, this desert romp is packed with so much wild terrain you won’t miss the Pacific Ocean. Joshua Tree National Park is 800,000 acres of sandstone boulders, crusty desert floor, and stands of the eponymous trees, while 250 miles north, Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48, at 3.5 million acres. Inside are 14,000-foot peaks, expansive craters, dunes, and slot canyons.

Weather is a factor with this itinerary because both parks are in the desert and hot as hell in the middle of summer (temps can reach 120 degrees). So consider this a late-spring or early-fall trip. (If you ever go in summer, do all of your adventures at dawn, take a ton of water, and be back at your place or camp before lunch. Also tell someone exactly where you are going.)

The 250-mile drive is mostly two-lane highway that offers a mix of desolate beauty (you’ll drive between Leghorn Lakes Wilderness and Sheephole Valley Wilderness) and California weirdness (the World’s Largest Thermometer is on this route). Want more adventure? As you drive between these two standout parks, try a pitstop at Mojave National Preserve, which has the largest grove of Joshua Trees in the world, natural springs, and towering dunes.

You can fly into Las Vegas or Los Angeles. L.A. to Joshua Tree is about 150 miles and not terribly interesting, so let’s just go straight to the park.

Adventures in Joshua Tree : J-Tree is a bucket-list rock-climbing destination, but the hiking is easily as good, and just being in the place is amazing. The 2.5-mile Split Rock Trail gives hikers a chance to see and scramble on some of the park’s signature boulders, including Split Rock, a 20-foot-tall formation with a fissure in the middle, and to explore a few small caves. If you want to see a lot of Joshua Trees (who doesn’t?), hike the Panorama Loop in Black Rock Canyon, a 6.5-mile lollipop that traverses one of the densest groves of Joshua Trees in the park, or sections of ridgeline trail, with long-range views of the 11,000-foot peaks inside the nearby Sand to Snow National Monument .

Adventures in Mojave National Preserve: Just 70 miles north of Joshua Tree, Mojave NP offers a convenient diversion on your way to Death Valley. Stretch your legs by hiking the three-mile out-and-back trail into Kelso Dunes , a 45-square-mile field with mounds of sand that rise 650 feet from the valley floor. The Kelso Dunes actually produce “booming,” which is a deep, rumbling vibration that you can hear and feel from the crest of one. Be aware that hiking in dunes is tough, as the sand shifts below your feet with every step.

Adventures in Death Valley : You hiked dunes in Mojave, so in Death Valley National Park, let’s focus on the canyons and peaks. Fall Canyon is a six-mile out and back through a slot canyon so narrow that at points you can touch both sides from the middle.

If it’s your first time to the park, you’re obligated to visit Badwater Salt Flats, the lowest and hottest point in the U.S. There’s no designated trail through the flats, so wander at will through the flat, crispy valley, flanked by the Panamint Mountains and Black Mountains.

Stay: The Inn at Death Valley is a historic lodge located inside the park, with five-star accommodations. Consider this an oasis in the desert, complete with a spring-fed swimming pool (from $359 a night). At Joshua Tree, try to reserve a spot at Indian Cove Campground , which has sites tucked between massive boulders. There are no hookups, but RVs are allowed ($25 a night). If you can’t score an advance reservation there, Hidden Valley Campground has first come/first serve sites ($15 a night). Also, Field Station is opening a new location outside of Joshua Tree in May, with campsites for van-lifers and private rooms, all of which have access to the property’s gear shop, coffee shop and communal spaces (rooms from $127 a night).

3. White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

New mexico and texas, distance: 300 miles, duration: four to five days.

Want variety? This trip has a trio of national parks that are close geographically, but a world apart in terms of terrain. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is all about the subterranean, protecting 119 caves, the biggest of which are open to exploration. Guadalupe Mountains National Park covers a swath of 8,000-foot peaks in West Texas, and those include eight of the 10 tallest in the entire state. White Sand Dunes National Park is home to a 275-square-mile gypsum dune field that rolls towards the horizon in a series of white tidal waves.

All three parks are within a couple hundred miles of each other, and El Paso serves as an ideal starting point to fly into the area and rent a car. These parks don’t see the crowds that some of the big-ticket units draw in summer, so there’s a better chance for quiet and good campsites. The three also have totally different climates. White Sand Dunes is hot (but not like J-Tree or Death Valley), Carlsbad is underground, and Guadalupe is chilly.

Other than a brief period where you skirt around the edge of El Paso, you’re driving mostly two-lane highways with a real “middle of nowhere” vibe between the parks. Think sand and scrub brush for as far as the eye can see.

Adventures in White Sand Dunes: Alkali Flat Trail is a five-mile loop through the heart of the sand dunes, following red trail markers. You’re climbing and descending 60-foot dunes the entire time, so pace yourself and expect your legs to be worked at the end. Bring a sled (sold at the visitors’ center if you don’t have your own), as you’re allowed to slide down the steepest slopes along the route.

Adventures in Guadalupe Mountains National Park : The signature adventure is hiking the 8,751-foot Guadalupe Peak , with a craggy, treeless summit, the tallest in the state of Texas. The views stretching east over the plains are endless, but to earn them you will climb 3,000 feet in just over four miles. Bring a jacket, as the summit is notoriously windy. But the real treat of Guadalupe Mountains is Devil’s Hall Trail , a four-mile out-and-back that’s rocky with mandatory scrambling to traverse a dry river wash. Towards the end, you’ll climb Hiker’s Staircase, an easy hand-over-hand natural rock ladder out of the wash and into a narrow slot canyon.

Adventures in Carlsbad Caverns : Start with a self-guided tour of the Big Room, the largest single-cave chamber in the U.S., loaded with bizarre stalactites and stalagmites. An elevator could deliver you into the cave, but instead walk the switchbacks down via the Natural Entrance, and feel what it’s like to go from the surface into the cold, dark underground. The full hike down the Natural Entrance and into the Big Room is 2.5 miles and should take a few hours; without the walk in, the hike is 1.25 miles, with a .6-mile shortcut also possible, and parts of the Big Room are wheelchair accessible . If you want something spicier, sign up for a ranger-led tour of Lower Cave , which requires descending 60 feet of ladders and ropes to a series of smaller rooms with crazy rock features, like the skinny, tall “Texas Toothpick” or “cave pearls,” which look like clusters of eggs ($20, reservations required).

Where to Stay: Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad Caverns are close enough that one campground works as a base camp to explore both. Check out Pine Springs Campground in Guadalupe Mountains, which has 20 tent sites and 13 RV sites you can reserve in advance ($20 a night). A number of hiking trails (including Devil’s Hall) begin here. The closest campground to White Sands is in Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, which has private desert sites ($10 per night). The backcountry campsites in White Sands are closed indefinitely, but nearby Alamogordo has a variety of chain hotels.

4. Denali National Park to Kenai Fjords National Park

Distance: 400 miles, duration: five-plus days, but if you’re flying all the way to alaska, take your time.

Alaska is an awe-inspiring collection of giant mountains, permanent ice fields, and jagged coast, and Denali and Kenai Fjords national parks encapsulate choice slices of that unique topography. Denali National Park covers more than 6 million acres of Alaska’s interior, including the 20,310-foot Denali, but also the tundra and spruce forest that surround it and attract big-time wildlife like caribou and brown bears. Kenai Fjords National Park couldn’t be more different; instead of forest and towering peaks, it’s home to 600,000 acres of glaciers, inlets, bays, and islands. More than half of the park is covered in snow and ice year round, and the majority is accessed by water. While much of Alaska isn’t conducive to road trips because of a lack of roads, these two parks are less than 400 miles apart and connected by highways.

The two-lane blacktop between the main destinations rolls out like a highlight reel of Alaska, offering views of Denali’s snow-capped peaks at one point and the Cook Inlet at another. Keep an eye out for Beluga whales, which live and breed in the inlet. Chugach State Park , with its 3,000-foot mountains, is also on the route.

A visitor can fly into Anchorage, halfway between the two parks. You’ll basically have to ditch the car at each destination, as car travel is limited in both parks. There are few roads in Kenai, and the main road through Denali is limited to shuttle traffic to minimize impact on the landscape. But that’s part of the charm here.

Adventures in Denali: Denali isn’t a “drive through” park. In fact, private vehicles aren’t allowed past mile 15 of the scenic Denali Park Road, though bikes get the green light. To ride in, start at the Savage River Visitor Center (mile 15) and bike to Sable Pass between miles 37 and 42, where the final 1,500-foot climb to the pass is rewarded by views that stretch all the way to Denali itself. But Sable Pass is best known for its wildlife. Mostly treeless and full of berry bushes, it attracts brown bears, caribou, and Dall sheep, which often graze in the tundra near the road. From the top of the pass, you can turn around and bike back, or, if you pre-arrange it, hop on the free Savage River Shuttle , which has bike racks. Bike Denali offers rentals (starting at $75 per day).

Or consider a guided rafting trip on the Nenana River, a glacier-fed stream that forms the eastern border of Denali. Book a mild or wild day trip with Denali Raft Adventures . The 11-mile canyon run is packed with class IV rapids with names like “Coffee Grinder,” and the full ride, for ages 12 and up, is a brisk two hours. A different short option, the two-hour-long Wilderness Run, is ideal for young families, as it contains mostly class I-II rapids and offers a good chance to see wildlife like moose and caribou. (From $130 a person, May through September).

Adventures in Kenai: Kenai is a coastal park with most of its goods accessed via boat, but land lovers have options, too. Hike on the edge of the Harding Ice Field , the largest permanent ice field in the U.S., stretching for 700 square miles and feeding Exit Glacier, which forms a half-mile-wide river of ice that melts into Exit Creek. Start at the Exit Glacier Nature Center and hike the 8.2-mile out-and-back Harding Icefield Trail , which climbs a total of 3,000 feet through the surrounding forest to gigantic views of the icefield. If you really want to throw yourself into the landscape, book an intro-to-ice climbing trip with Exit Glacier Guides , exploring crevasses and climbing pitches of vertical ice with use of rope, crampons, and axes ($249 per person).

For a water-borne adventure, head to Bear Glacier Lagoon, 12 miles south of Seward, where a thin beach separates a glacier-fed lake from the Gulf of Alaska. The lake sits in a deep bowl rising to green ridges, and the water is littered with house-sized icebergs. Liquid Adventures offers fully outfitted day trips to the lagoon ($550 per person).

Where to Stay : In Denali, book a spot at Savage River Campground , which has 32 sites tucked into a spruce forest ($49 a night). Located on mile 13 on the Denali Park Road, it’s easy to reach with a car (some campgrounds in Denali are only accessible by shuttle bus), but the real prize is access to Savage River and incredible views of Denali via a short gravel-road walk. Reservations are recommended, but not required. In Kenai, Exit Glacier Campground has 12 walk-in tent sites, first-come, first-served. They’re free, but fill up most nights during July and August. The Seward Adventure Lodge , in the middle of downtown Seward, is a seven-room mid-century-era motel with renovated rooms located just minutes from the edge of Kenai ($190 per night, two night minimum).

5. Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks

Distance: 160 miles, duration: three days.

Rocky Mountain National Park gets most of the love in Colorado, and while it’s incredible, the Centennial State has other unforgettable national-park units. Mesa Verde National Park and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are nestled into the southwest corner of the state, proximal enough to make for an ideal weekend road trip. Mesa Verde is a cultural treasure, containing more than 5,000 archaeological sites, including the early cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is altogether different, enveloping a nearly 2,500-foot-deep gorge surrounding the Gunnison River. It’s a deep, dark chasm with sheer vertical walls, rugged hiking and climbing, boating, and world-class trout fishing.

You can fly into Durango to kick the trip off, and Telluride is smack dab in the middle of the route between parks if you want to throw in a visit to a classic mountain town. The Jud Weibe Trail , a locals’ favorite and handy but fantastic afternoon outing, offers views of the ski area and entire valley on varied and forested terrain.

The majority of this road trip cruises through San Juan National Forest on a highway with views of some of Colorado’s tallest and most iconic peaks, including the 14,158-foot Mount Sneffels and 14,023-foot Wilson Peak. You’ll pass right through Telluride, but you can also make a 22-mile roundtrip detour to Ouray to soak in the hot springs.

Adventures in Mesa Verde: Get your bearings by driving the six-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, which winds along past excavated mesa-top villages, with overlooks to see cliff dwellings, including the Cliff Palace, which archaeologists believe could house up to 100 people. There are 30 miles of hiking trails inside the park, so you can see a lot of the area in a day. If you’re limited on time, hike the 2.4-mile Petroglyph Point Trail , which will have you squeezing through boulder passages and traversing cliffside singletrack to a large petroglyph panel. To see the cliff dwellings up close, reserve a spot on a ranger-led Cliff Dwelling Tour ($8 per person, reservations possible 14 days in advance). The Balcony House Tour is the most adventurous: you ascend a cliff face into the 700-year-old dwelling via a series of ladders, then worm through a narrow tunnel that connects rooms.

Adventures in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison : The BCOG is a tough canyon to navigate, as there are no bridges connecting the North Rim and South Rim, so it’s a circuitous two-hour drive between the two sides of the park. The South Rim is the more developed, with a dozen overlooks, a visitors’ center, and an 88-site campground. The North Rim is more primitive, with a gravel road providing access to a few developed trails and a handful of overlooks. Both sides are stunning, but I’m pointing you to the South Rim for its hiking and scrambling routes. If you want to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, stroll the two-mile Rim Rock Nature Trail for shots of the canyon and river below. But you’re here for the scramble to the bottom of the gorge via the unmarked Tomichi Route , which drops 1,960 feet in just one mile (the park allows use of the trail and offers a video about it). There’s a lot of down climbing and loose rock, but at the bottom you’ll have the Gunnison River all to yourself. Bring a fly rod; the Gunnison is a gold-medal trout stream. This is a full-day adventure, and you’ll need a permit (free) to descend into the canyon. Get one at the South Rim Visitor Center.

Where to Stay : Both parks have large campgrounds, if you want to keep it simple and budget friendly. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s South Rim Campground is convenient (only a mile from the visitors’ center), but don’t expect a ton of privacy ($20 a night, reservations recommended). The North Rim has a smaller campground , with 13 sites separated by piñon and juniper trees ($20 a night, first-come, first-served). Morefield Campground , in Mesa Verde, is large, with 267 sites within a broad, grassy canyon ($38 a night, reserve in advance).

If you want to spend a night in Telluride, check out The Bivvi , an upscale hostel with private or shared rooms that caters to road trippers (from $40 per night).

Graham Averill is Outside magazine’s national parks columnist. He’s currently trying to convince his 15-year-old twins to re-create the national parks road trip they undertook a decade ago. It’s not going well.

For more by this writer:

The 9 Most Fun Adventure Lodges in North America

The 9 Best Gateway Towns to U.S. National Parks

The 8 Most Adventurous States in America. Number 1 Is …

11 Remote Destinations That Are Definitely Worth the Effort to Visit

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• Fly Fishing
• Joshua Tree National Park

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2 Weeks Texas Road Trip Itinerary

Published April 17, 2020

// By Margherita

Have you ever considered a Texas road trip? The Lone Star state is perfect for road tripping, with amazing national parks, cities and just so much to explore. Here is our 2 weeks  ultimate Texas road trip itinerary, from El Paso to Amarillo!

In case you didn’t know, Texas is big. No, actually, Texas is HUGE. To give you an idea, it’s twice the size of Italy , and three times the size of the United Kingdom, and if you were to place it on a map of Europe, it would stretch from Rome to the Baltic Sea. 

So, when you’ll be planning your Texas road trip , bear the state’s size in mind. There is no way you can cover it all on a 2 weeks Texas road trip – but you can see a lot! 

Over the course of our 2 weeks in Texas , we drove from White Sands in New Mexico to El Paso , drove south to Big Bend National Park , then continued through the Hill Country all the way to Austin and Dallas , where we turned west to Amarillo , and then back into New Mexico. 

Naturally, this is only one of many possible Texas road trip itinerary , but it does include many iconic Texan places and experiences – the desert of Big Bend, Texan barbecues and the ‘weird’ atmosphere of Austin, longhorns in Fort Worth, and the charming Hill Country. 

One thing is certain – love it or hate it, Texas is a place unlike any other in the US . It’s a place with a strong regional pride, with heartwarming hospitality and – naturally – with its own quirks, endearing and annoying at the same time for an outsider like me. 

A 2 weeks Texas road trip is just enough time to get a taste of it all – come and discover our itinerary!

Places to Visit on a Texas Road Trip

El paso (2 days).

Our Texas road trip itinerary was influenced by practical and logistical reasons, and so we started our 2 weeks in El Paso , a Texan town on the far west of the state, a short drive from New Mexico and an even shorter drive to Mexico proper. 

El Paso feels like Mexico more than it feels like Texas – Spanish is spoken way more than English with a Texan drawl, and taquerias outnumber barbecue joints about twenty thousand to one. 

Having said that, it’s a really cool place to kick off your 2 weeks in Texas. Two days are enough time to explore – spend the first day roaming the city , visiting the El Paso Museum of Art or the interesting Border Patrol Museum , walking around downtown, and ending your day at Tap Bar and Restaurant , the kind of dive bar you’ll only find along the border.

You can’t miss having some great Mexican food – if you’re on a budget, head to Lucy’s Cafe , a tiny diner famous for its machaca , and if you want to splurge opt for Elemi , a classy taco joint with creative gourmet toppings and the best blue corn tortillas you’ll ever taste. 

On Day 2 , it’s time to head out of the city! One option is hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park , only 20 minutes drive from El Paso, offering plenty of scenic trails with views over the city.

An alternative is hopping across the border to Juarez, El Paso’s sister city in Mexico – visit the Cathedral and the Museum of Revolution, and eat plenty of street tacos!

Big Bend National Park (3 Days)

Distance: 320 miles – Driving Time: 5 hours

Leaving El Paso is when I started grasping the size of Texas. Our second destination was Big Bend National Park – which is also in West Texas . So, how far can it be? An hour or two at the most? Actually, the drive between El Paso and Big Bend was a whopping FIVE HOURS LONG!

Trust me though – the drive is totally worth it, as Big Bend National Park is not only one of America’s least visited , it’s also incredibly varied in terms of landscapes and ecosystems, with the Chihuahuan desert , the Rio Grande , and the Chisos Mountains , all found within the park borders. 

We recommend spending a minimum of 3 days in the area – we have a full blog post about what to do in Big Bend National Park .

You’ll be spending the majority of the first day driving there , visiting Marfa , its Prada shop installation and some of its galleries along the way. The remaining two days will be dedicated to the national park – one day you can go hiking or driving around by yourself, and the other day can be dedicated to a backcountry jeep desert tour.

Your next destination will be the Hill Country – so, why not break your journey by staying one night at Eve’s Garden in Marathon , definitely the coolest B&B in Texas. Top tip – don’t miss breakfast!

Hill Country (2 Days)

Distance: 350 miles – Driving Time: 5 hours

Travelling from Big Bend to the Hill Country you’ll see what I mean when I say that Texas is varied in terms of landscapes . You’ll leave the desert, and arrive in a quaint, tranquil land of farmhouses and rolling hills, forests and swimming holes. 

The Hill Country is fun to explore for a couple of days. Fredericksburg is a great place to choose as your base, a town settled by German immigrants in the 19th century and still retaining a German flair , with beer gardens dishing out schnitzels, and several really nice B&B. 

You could spend one day exploring Fredericksburg , walking down Main Street browsing art galleries and craft shops, climbing Enchanted Rock for a view over the Hill Country, and visiting a winery or three – Becker and Lost Draw come recommended. The former also sells food to go, so you can make up your own picnic and find a place in the winery grounds to enjoy it. 

For your second day, there are so many options! If you’re feeling like nature , you could head to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge , home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, and to other critters like skunks and armadillos.

Another nice option is The Meadows Center  in San Marcos, where you can take a river tour on glass-bottomed boats, as well as South Llano River Nature Park , where you can go paddling, river tubing, birdwatching and cycling along many miles of bike trails. 

The Hill Country offers a delightful blend of small towns, delicious wines and unspoilt nature – just what you need before heading to three big cities during the next part of your Texas road trip!

Austin (3 Days)

Distance: 80 miles – Driving Time: 1.5 hours

In case you weren’t aware, let me tell you – Austin is indeed weird! You won’t even feel like you’re in Texas – it’s a fiercely alternative, liberal town, the kind of place where you find street art and secret cocktail bars, food trucks and live music every night of the week (and not just country and western!)

To make matters even better, there is some amazing nature both in Austin , and just outside of the city – including hiking trails and swimming holes, perfect in the boiling Texas summer weather. 

After stopping in Austin during out Texas road trip , we’ve put together a 3 days in Austin itinerary – this is the bare minimum to explore all there is to see and do, and it will leave you longing for more!

If you want to spend less time in Austin, and maybe dedicate one more day to the Hill Country or Dallas/Fort Worth, there are two things to do in Austin you cannot miss.

Number one is barbecue at Franklin’s , the most delicious, most amazing meal you’ll have during your entire 2 weeks spent road tripping around Texas. Visit on a weekday if you can, try to get there early and be ready to queue – but every second spent in line will feel worthwhile once you bite into that delicious brisket! YUM!

Number two is visiting Congress Bridge at sunset to see over a million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from their hideaway spots and under the bridge to feed on mosquitoes. Austin is home to the largest urban population of bats worldwide, so don’t miss it if you’re visiting between March and November!

Dallas/Fort Worth (3 Days)

Distance: 200 miles – Driving Time: 3 hours

Two cities in one! That’s what you’ll get when visiting Dallas and Fort Worth , less than an hour drive from one another. 

You can choose to divide your stay between the two cities , or use one as a base and visit the other as a day trip. If you opt for the second option, we recommend staying in Dallas , the larger and more cosmopolitan between the two – Fort Worth is easy to cover in one day, depending on your interests. 

3 days are enough time to spend between Dallas and Fort Worth. You’ll spend part of the first day driving from Austin – this takes about 3 hours, with a halfway stop in Waco to see or have lunch at the famous Magnolia Market Silos if you wish. 

For info on what to see in Dallas , head over to our 36 hours in Dallas article , with a full itinerary. You can’t miss the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, detailing the facts around JFK’s assassination, and in the evening you could attempt to drink your way up and down the Margarita Mile – BTW, did you know that frozen margarita was invented in Dallas?

Don’t forget to spend at least one full day in Fort Worth , AKA Cowtown, headquarters of the cattle industry in Texas. Fort Worth has a completely different feel compared to Dallas – it feels like a big country town, where you can half expect a herd of longhorn cows come marching down the main street.

Oh, hang on – actually, they do indeed! Just head to the Fort Worth Stockyards every day at 11.30 am or 4 pm, for the daily Cattle Parade. 

Other fun things to do in Fort Worth are visiting the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame , a fun interactive museum sharing info and stories about the lives of cowgirls past and present, and a guided tour of Firestone  &  Robertson Distilling , a local distillery producing delicious craft whiskey and bourbon. 

Amarillo (1 Day)

Distance: 360 miles – Driving Time: 5 hours

One more stop before the end of your 2 weeks Texas road trip! The Texas Panhandle , the rectangular-shaped region occupying the northernmost part of the state, between New Mexico and Oklahoma. 

The Texas Panhandle is a place with wide, open skies, endless plains dotted with windmills, canyons and ranches – basically, the stereotypical image of ‘Texas’ in people’s minds.

If you’re continuing your journey west from Dallas/Fort Worth, heading to Arizona or New Mexico, you’ll be driving through the Panhandle – so you may as well stop for a day or two. 

Amarillo is the largest town in the Texas Panhandle , and the most logical place to choose as a stop. We have three Amarillo sights and activities to recommend, perfect to round up your 2 weeks Texas road trip. 

The first is Palo Duro Canyon , just 30 miles from Amarillo, also known as the Grand Canyon of Texas. There canyon itself is the second largest in the US after (yes, you guessed it) the Grand Canyon – the state park is a pleasant place to explore for a day, with over 50 miles of trails and some caves to explore. 

Then, don’t miss the Cadillac Ranch , a unique art installation made with 10 Cadillac cars stuck to the ground and covered in spray paint, making for a cool photo stop. For your last dinner in Texas, we recommend heading to the Big Texan , a steakhouse just outside Amarillo serving delicious steaks – including a 72oz mammoth one!

Other Ideas for a Texas Road Trip

As I mentioned at the start of this article, this 2 weeks Texas road trip itinerary is not intended to cover everything to see in the Lone Star State – for that, you’ll need several months! 

If you are lucky and have extra time to spend in Texas , you may include one or more of the following locations: 

-San Antonio: the second largest city in Texas, just an hour south of Austin, famous for its riverside, for being close to the Alamo, and for the best Tex-Mex food in the state!

-Houston:  we have a problem! Sorry, just had to write that. Most people visit the largest city in Texas for the NASA Space Center, but there’s a lot more to see, and the culinary scene is the most diverse in Texas.

-South Padre Island: wait, is this Texas or Florida? This thin, narrow island in the Gulf of Mexico offers miles upon miles of beach to enjoy, plus nature trails and wildlife reserves. 

-Galveston:  this interesting coastal town on the Gulf of Mexico is worth adding to your Texas itinerary for the Pleasure Pier, with a Ferris wheel, carousels and rollercoaster, and the whimsical Moody Mansion, dating back to 1895. Galveston and Houston are about an hour drive for each other, so you if you have a few extra days to spare, why not add them both to your Texas itinerary?

Best Time for a Texas Road Trip

Texas is a huge state, so there’s not one single ‘best time’ to visit everything – it will depend on where you’re planning to head to. 

We covered the 2 weeks Texas itinerary described in this article between late January/early February , and found it a really great time to visit Texas. Save for a freak storm in Fort Worth, we had sunny and mild weather every day (in the 60s°F), perfect to hike and explore Big Bend, and to wander around cities like Austin and Dallas. 

The best time to visit Texas according to locals is spring , when the weather is a touch warmer than what we experienced, and you can see stunning expanses of wildflowers – desert blooms in Big Bend, blue bonnets in the Hill Country, and more.

Just be prepared for crowds during spring break in March, especially in Big Bend National Park.

From June onwards , the weather starts to warm up, making it hard to get out and explore. On top of that, schools across the state are out, and summer also coincides with hurricane season – so be prepared for heavy thunderstorms. 

Together with spring, autumn is also a wonderful time for a Texas road trip. The weather is once again warm and sunny, and the crowds have gone. 

Texas Road Trip Practical Info

Texas may very well be one of the best US states for a road trip – it’s so huge, that traffic is never a problem, except going in and out of cities like Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin. 

Having said that, there are a few things to bear in mind!

-Speed Limit: speed limits in Texas are similar to those found in the rest of the US, with the exception that on freeways outside cities you may see speed limits of 80 (or even 85) mph. And even if you stick to the speed limit, locals may still pass you!

-Driving Style:  Texans can be quite ‘macho’ when it comes to driving style, so make sure you’re quite assertive when merging and overtaking, as well as when driving in and around cities. Otherwise, do like what we did, and use Uber/public transit to move around busy cities like Dallas and Austin! 

-Alcohol:  Texas laws are very strict when it comes to DUI, and the blood alcohol content limit is only 0.8. Never drink and drive and if you want to have a beer with dinner, opt for a light beer or wait a while before getting behind the wheel!

-Border Patrol:  when driving close to the Texas/Mexico border, you may come across Border Patrol checkpoints. If you’re not a US citizen, you’ll be asked to present your passport and visa. Make sure you have your passport in the FRONT of the car , not in the trunk – or else you’ll have to park and ask the agent permission to get out of the car to retrieve it.

-Fuel: remember I said that Texas is huge? In isolated regions like the surroundings of Big Bend National Park, the fuel supply is limited and there may even be 100 miles or more between one gas station and the next.

Make sure you fill up when you can, or at least ask where the next gas stop will be – you don’t want to be left with no gas in the middle of nowhere!

Ultimate West Texas Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re in the mood for adventure and a subtle whiff of vast, pristine plains, then a West Texas road trip is right up your alley.

There are so many interesting sites to explore and charming towns with their own unique character in this part of Texas.

Also Read: 25 Best Things to do in West Texas

Start with Del Rio, the backdoor to Big Sky Country.. and explore the natural attractions at Lake Amistad.

From there make your way west to visit the ghost town of Langtry where Wild West legend Judge Roy Bean once held court.

Stop by Marfa to witness the stunning desert landscape and way out-of-this-world art installations before heading north to glamp under the stars in Big Bend National Park.

This would be a great place to pause for some outdoor activities like hiking or river rafting down the Rio Grande.

Be sure to see the fossils in Big Bend and imagine this area being a hunting grounds for beasts like the T-Rex and Deinosuchus!

Return to civilization throughout your journey for delicious regional eats like enchiladas, flavorful salsas, and some desert sotol.

Soak in the history and culture. Learn about oil industry at Midland . Dance to some good ol’ country tunes while taking in all that West Texas has to offer!

Here is an ultimate guide to planning a West Texas road trip.

West Texas Road Trip: Essential stops

Taking a road trip through West Texas is an adventure for anyone seeking some outdoor fun.

From the rugged deserts of El Paso to the unique beauty of Big Bend National Park, the area offers a variety of attractions.

Throughout the trip, travelers can explore diverse ecosystems and wide-open spaces with opportunities for activities such as camping, fishing, and horseback riding.

There are many charming towns that provide various cultural experiences while providing access to nature trails and lakes.

Here are the best places to stop on a West Texas road trip.

Del Rio is located on the northern banks of the Rio Grande in southwestern Texas.

It is the county seat of Val Verde County.

The city was founded in 1850s, and named after the nearby Rio Grande.

It is one of the most underrated places to visit West Texas.

Today, Del Rio is known for its scenic beauty, bustling economy, and rich cultural heritage.

Visitors to Del Rio can enjoy a variety of activities, including shopping, dining, and exploring the city’s many parks and museums.

Some of the popular attractions in Del Rio include the Val Verde Winery, murals in Del Rio near Casa de la Cultura, and the Whitehead Memorial Museum.

The Laughlin Heritage Foundation Museum is also a great trip for aviation and military enthusiasts.

Read our post on Best Things to do in Del Rio, Texas for more information.

Lake Amistad National Recreation Area

Situated on the borders of Texas and Mexico, Lake Amistad National Recreation Area is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming.

The lake itself is fed by the Rio Grande river and is known for its clear blue waters and scenic views.

Visitors to the area can enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking in addition to water activities.

The recreation area also offers a variety of educational programs about the local ecosystem and wildlife.

One of our favorite trails in the area include the Diablo East Trails System.

Here you will find a couple of easy nature trails that offer great views of the lake, picnic tables, boat ramp, as well as a scenic drive.

Seminole Canyon State Historical Park

Located in southwest Texas, Seminole Canyon State Historical Park is home to a wealth of history and culture.

The canyon itself was formed by the Pecos River and is surrounded by steep cliffs.

This unique landscape has served as a home for humans for over 10,000 years.

Early inhabitants of the canyon include the Hunter-Gatherers, who left behind evidence of their lives in the form of rock art.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the Fate Bell Shelter to see the ancient rock art.

The park has many other trails and historic sites and is an excellent stop on your West Texas road trip.

Pecos River High Bridge Scenic Overlook

The Pecos High Bridge Scenic Overlook is one of the most popular attractions in Comstock, Texas.

The overlook provides breathtaking views of the Pecos River, steep canyon, and the Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge.

The overlook is open daily from sunrise to sunset and is accessible via a short paved trail.

Parking as well as picnic tables are available at the overlook.

The small town of Langtry is made famous by an iconic West Texas figure: Judge Roy Bean!

Judge Roy Bean named the town after the British actress Lillie Langtry, after being enamored with her.

Today, visitors can tour the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center, which tells the story of the town’s legendary former resident.

On a visit, you can see his artifacts as well as historical buildings including the saloon where he dispensed justice.

The Visitor Center contains many important items used by him on a daily basis as well as preserves his house in a good condition.

There is also a large cactus garden and botanical garden at the Visitor Centre with several hiking trails and native plants.

If you have the time, make a pitstop in Sanderson, Texas on Highway 90.

Charming town of Sanderson is known as the Cactus Capital of Texas.

You can take a stroll along the Cactus trail where you can see a variety of different cacti that grow in this region.

It is the perfect place to enjoy peace and quiet of West Texas desert landscape.

Marathon , Texas is a small town located in the heart of the Big Bend region.

It is known as the eastern gateway to Big Bend National Park and is perfect for staying while you explore the park.

The town is surrounded by the beautiful mountains, pristine desert landscape, and the occasional springs.

Marathon is also home to the Gage Hotel, which is one of the most iconic hotels in West Texas.

Other attractions in Marathon, Texas include Gage Gardens, art galleries, and the history museum.

Big Bend National Park

For most visitors, Big Bend is #1 of West Texas attractions!

Big Bend National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in America.

Located in West Texas, the park is home to a variety of landscapes, including mountains, deserts, and canyons.

Visitors can explore the park by hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

The park also contains a number of historical sites, such as pioneer farmsteads and adobe ruins.

In addition to its natural beauty, the park is also known for its dark skies.

On clear nights, stargazers can see thousands of stars, as well as the Milky Way galaxy.

Big Bend Fossil Exhibit

Start your trip to the national park from Marathon by visiting the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center.

From there, head to one of Big Bend’s highlights: Fossil Discovery Exhibit.

The Big Bend Fossil Discovery Exhibit is a unique display of the area’s rich paleontological history.

The exhibit features a wide variety of fossils, including some that are over 500 million years old as well as touchable casts of fossils.

Visitors can see fossils of ancient fish, amphibians, reptiles, and even early dinosaurs that once lived here. 

In addition, the exhibit provides information about the park’s geology and how the fossils were formed.

Rio Grande Village

Rio Grande Village Unit of Big Bend is located in the far east side of the park.

The road here is very scenic and even has a famous tunnel.

The area is home to a number of hiking trails including the family friendly Rio Grande Nature Trail.

This trail takes you right up to the river.

It is fascinating to see the border of USA and Mexico up close.

You can even stand in the river water as you see Mexican lands across the banks.

Boquillas Canyon trail take you deep into the canyon while you can make a day trip to Mexico at the Boquillas crossing.

The popular Hot Springs Trail is also great for families: see historic ruins and soak in the hot springs.

Chisos Mountains

The Chisos Mountains are a mountain range located in the Big Bend National Park in Texas.

The range is home to the tallest mountain in Texas, Emory Peak, which stands at an elevation of 7,825 feet.

The Chisos Mountains are a popular destination for hikers and campers, as they offer stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape.

The mountains are also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer, and cougars.

You will find several popular trails here including the strenuous Window Trail and Lost Mine Trail.

Little legs can easily do the paved, about a mile long roundtrip Window View Trail to enjoy amazing views.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is one of the most popular attractions in Big Bend National Park.

The road winds through canyons, mountains and desert landscapes, providing stunning views of the park’s unique geology.

Along the way, visitors can stop at overlooks to enjoy panoramic vistas or take short hikes to explore narrower canyons and arroyos.

The drive takes about three hours to complete, and provides an unforgettable experience.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail

For many visitors to Big Bend region and West Texas, Santa Elena Canyon trail is the highlight of their visit.

The trailhead is located at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and the trail follows the Rio Grande for approximately one mile before ending at a beautiful overlook of Santa Elena Canyon.

The canyon, with its sheer walls and the river flowing through, is a sight to behold.

The trail is relatively flat and easy to hike, making it a great choice for families with young children or for those looking for a leisurely stroll.

However, the heat can be intense during the summer months, so be sure to bring plenty of water and start hiking early in the day.

During flooding, the creek crossings on the trail can be too deep and you’ll be in for a hearty scramble up the mountainside.

Ghost town of Terlingua

Terlingua was once a thriving mining town, and its abandoned buildings now stand as a testament to its early prosperity.

In the early 1900s, Terlingua was a bustling hub of activity, with two mines producing cinnabar, the ore used to produce mercury.

However, by the 1940s, both mines had been closed and Terlingua had become a ghost town. 

Today, Terlingua is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Big Bend region.

Visitors can explore the abandoned mines and buildings, wander through the cemetery, and even camp out into the desert.

Many glamping options such as yurts and tikis are located in Terlingua, making it another great base to explore Big Bend National Park.

If you’re looking for a remote and scenic stop on your West Texas road trip, Lajitas, Texas is the perfect destination.

Situated on the edge of Big Bend National Park, Lajitas offers stunning views of the Chihuahuan Desert.

The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including javelina, deer, and quail.

Visitors to Lajitas can enjoy hiking, camping, and horseback riding in the nearby Big Bend National Park.

They can also relax in the luxurious Lajitas Resort, which offers a golf course, spa, and restaurants.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Located in far west Texas, Big Bend Ranch State Park is a true hidden gem.

It is the largest state park in Texas.

The park is home to a diverse array of plants and animals, as well as stunning geological features.

Visitors can camp, hike, bike, and horseback ride through the park.

Popular attractions in Big Bend Ranch State Park include Sauceda Historic District, Fort Leaton, and the scenic River Road.

Big Bend Ranch State Park River Road

Big Bend Ranch State Park’s River Road is the best kept secret in far West Texas!

The road follows the course of the Rio Grande, offering stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains.

Along the way, there are several turnouts and pull-offs where visitors can stop to enjoy the view or take a short hike.

Hike the Closed Canyon Trail for an adventure through a narrow slot canyon while you keep watch for mountain lions!

Enjoy a picnic at the Contrabando movie set and see the beautiful hoodoos.

The around 115 miles long road connects Lajitas and Terlingua with Presidio and takes about half a day to see at a leisurely pace.

Fort Leaton State Historic Site

Fort Leaton State Historic Site is located in West Texas, near the Mexico border.

The fort was built by Ben Leaton, a trader who operated a store and trading post at the site.

The fort served as a base for Leaton’s trading operations and was also used as a refuge from hostile Indians.

Today, it is a state historic site that includes a museum with artifacts from the fort’s past.

Visitors can also explore the buildings and grounds of the fort on a self guided tour, which provide a glimpse into what life was like for the settlers who once called it home.

Presidio is a sleepy border town located on the Rio Grande, across the river from Mexico.

It is a gateway community for Big Bend Ranch State Park and the surrounding area.

While there is not a lot to do in Presidio, it is worth a quick stop to see the murals and the beautiful Santa Teresa Church.

Shafter is a ghost town on the way from Alpine to Presidio.

The town was named after General William Shafter, who led American troops during the Spanish-American War.

Visitors can explore the abandoned buildings, mines in Shafter Historic District, and take a stroll down Cibolo Creek.

Alpine, located in the Chihuahuan Desert, is known for its beautiful hiking trails and scenic views.

In addition to its natural beauty, Alpine is also home to a number of historical landmarks, such as the Sul Ross State University and the Museum of the Big Bend.

The town has a lively cultural scene and you will find plenty of art galleries, street art, and shopping on Main Street.

Marfa is a small town in the high desert of West Texas.

It’s home to art galleries, artists’ studios, and a vibrant arts scene spearheaded by minimalist artist Donald Judd and his Chinati foundation in the 1970s.

It’s also home to the mysterious Marfa Lights, strange flickering lights that have been seen in the night sky for centuries.

Some say the lights are a natural phenomenon, while others believe they’re ghosts or aliens.

No one knows for sure, but the mystery of the Marfa Lights adds to the town’s allure.

Marfa is also a popular destination for stargazing.

The clear night skies and lack of light pollution make it an ideal spot for watching the stars.

Located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, Fort Davis is a small town with a rich history.

Founded in 1854, the town was named after then-Secretary of War Jefferson Davis.

It served as an important outpost during the Indian Wars, and later became a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route.

Today, Fort Davis is home to a number of historical landmarks, including the Fort Davis National Historic Site.

The fort has been beautifully preserved, and its buildings and grounds provide a fascinating glimpse into life on the Texas Frontier. 

The town is also known for its picturesque setting, nestled among the majestic peaks of the Davis Mountains.

Davis Mountains State Park

Davis Mountains State Park is a unique and beautiful spot.

With its elevation, the park offers cooler temperatures than much of the surrounding area, making it a popular spot for camping, hiking, and picnicking.

The highlight of the park, however, is its scenic drive.

Winding through mountains and canyons, the drive offers stunning views of the landscape.

Along the way, there are several overlooks where visitors can pull off and enjoy the view. 

McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory is one of the best places to learn more about the incredible West Texas sky.

The Observatory is operated by the University of Texas at Austin and has several prominent telescopes: the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the Otto Struve Telescope, and the Harlan J. Smith Telescope.

The Observatory is also home to a variety of research programs, including the Dark Energy Survey and exoplanet studies.

In addition to its research programs, the Observatory offers public tours and educational programs for all ages.

Visitors can take part in stargazing nights, learn about the history of astronomy, and even see firsthand how researchers use the telescopes to study the universe.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in West Texas and is home to the Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas.

The landscape of the park is diverse, with canyons, desert plains, woodlands, and even gypsum dunes.

There are also a variety of animals that call the park home, including deer, coyotes, and snakes.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a popular destination for hikers.

The popular Guadalupe Peak trail is one of the best hiking trails in Texas .

The park also offers opportunities for camping, horseback riding, and bird watching.

El Paso , located on the border with Mexico, has a rich history and culture.

The city is known for its beautiful scenery, with mountains, desert landscapes, and the Rio Grande river.

El Paso is also home to a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, museums, and performance venues. 

Fort Stockton

Fort Stockton is the county seat of Pecos County and a sleepy little town.

Despite its size, there are plenty of things to do in Fort Stockton.

One popular attraction is the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum, which is devoted to the history of the town and the surrounding area.

Another must: See the historic Fort Stockton, established to protect the San Antonio El Paso mail route.

The Fort Stockton Visitor Center is also worth a stop to learn about the history of the Comanche Springs.

Best Time to Visit West Texas

The best time of year for a visit to West Texas has to be springtime.

During this season, the landscape is lush and blooming with wildflowers that cover the hillsides and create a unique display of vibrant colors.

The temperature is also no longer scorching as it sometimes gets during summer months.

Also, many animals come out of hibernation or migrate during this time so you are likely to catch glimpses of amazing wildlife throughout your journey.

Late fall through mid winter is another great time to visit.

The average temperatures in November reach highs of around 78 degrees Fahrenheit and lows below 53, providing a pleasant ambiance as you explore.

Not only should you pack sunscreen and a hat for your trip for when you spend time outdoors, but don’t forget to bring layers so that you can bundle up at night.

Summers in West Texas are extremely hot and dry and we would not recommend planning a trip then.

A West Texas road trip is an unforgettable experience.

From the dramatic views of the Davis Mountains to the desolate beauty of Big Bend National Park, you will find adventure, solitude, and memorable moments on this drive.

Make sure to include stops at iconic locations like Marfa and Marathon for a few nights of camping under starlit skies.

Along the way, explore forgotten ghost towns in sprawling deserts and hike canyons flush with cacti.

What are your favorite places to visit in West Texas? When are you planning a West Texas road trip? Let us know below.

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13 Unique Places to Visit on a West Texas Road Trip

W est Texas is perhaps one of the most desolate places in the United States. You can drive for hours and still not reach any sizable city. But a West Texas road trip can also be an intriguing and unique experience. 

You’ll see the terrain turn from barren deserts to lovely mountains (yes, West Texas has mountains) and then back again. You’ll drive through the tiniest of towns and wonder what people who live there actually do. And while it may sound like there isn’t much worth driving hours for, there are actually a lot of interesting places to visit in West Texas.

This travel guide includes the best things to do on a West Texas road trip and the 13 best places to visit .

Tips for planning the perfect West Texas road trip

Growing up in West Texas I took for granted the uniqueness of this region. It truly is one of the best places in Texas to visit . West Texas is not only desolate though, but also BIG. So, during your West Texas road trip, take time to appreciate the wide openness and enjoy getting away from the busyness of life.

You are truly venturing where the WIFI is weak (or non-existent) and where you will feel very off the grid .

If you’re planning a West Texas road trip, here are some tips that will make your vacation more enjoyable.

Fill up your gas tank every chance you get

Because of the desolation of the region make sure you have enough gas or petrol in your car’s fuel tank. In this area of the world, I don’t like to let the meter get below a quarter of a tank. It may be a while before you come across another gas station.

While there are a lot of things to see in West Texas, gas stations aren’t one of them. They are few and far between, so if you are planning a West Texas road trip, top off the gas tank every chance you get.

Expect moments with no phone service

Also, have plenty of music or audio books downloaded because your radio won’t work out here, unless you have satellite radio. In fact, there will be numerous long stretches of road where you will have no phone service, no radio, and no other cars in sight. 

Despite the lack of phone service or even radio, a West Texas road trip is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and fun Texas road trips .

Spend a night in one of the larger West Texas cities, like El Paso or Midland

Depending on where you are coming from and how you are getting to West Texas, the closest airports are in Midland-Odessa or El Paso.

If flying into Midland-Odessa, it may be worth spending a day exploring, as there are several fun things to do in Midland , as well. Likewise, El Paso is a large city, and you’ll find plenty to do there to pass the time for a day.

Plan for the weather

West Texas is known for its extreme weather conditions, so it’s crucial to pack accordingly. Summers can be scorching hot, with temperatures exceeding 100°F (38°C). Winters, on the other hand, are mild, but the nights in the desert can be surprisingly cold. 

Check the forecast and pack versatile clothing, including layers, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy footwear, and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Things to do on a West Texas road trip

West Texas, with its vast landscapes and rugged charm, offers a captivating experience for adventurers seeking a taste of the wild frontier. This region is brimming with natural beauty and hidden gems waiting to be discovered, making it worthy of your Texas bucket list .

On any West Texas road trip there are a few things everyone must do and see. Here are our top 13 things to do and places to visit in West Texas.

Go for a Hike in Big Bend National Park

No visit to West Texas is complete without exploring the remarkable Big Bend National Park. 

Big Bend National Park may be one of the lesser visited national parks in the United States. Simply because of its remote location along the West Texas-Mexico border, you won’t find a ton of tourists in the park. Big Bend is beautiful. Its breathtaking vistas rival many of the popular national parks you’ll see on a northern Arizona and southern Utah road trip .

Although it can often feel as hot as the surface of the sun in Big Bend, it is a wonderful place to hike, tune in with nature, and search for native wildlife.

One of the more popular hikes takes you through Saint Elena Canyon cliffs that tower 1,500 feet above you. 

Another popular hike, the Window Trail lets you witness the stunning Chisos Mountains through the frame of a natural window. The hike is roughly 5 ½ miles long and involves a challenging climb out of Oak Creek Canyon on the return trip. 

Looking for a shorter hike in Big Bend? Check out Closed Canyon. This 1.5-mile trail takes you through a slot canyon, similar to the narrow slot canyons famously found in Utah .

Plan to camp out at least one night if you want to do one of these stunning hikes.

Cross the Mexican Border in a Rowboat to Visit a Rural Village

While you’re in Big Bend National Park you can actually cross the Rio Grande River and venture into Mexico for lunch. 

Doing so will require a short ride on a rowboat and a mile-long journey on a donkey to get to the rural village of Boquillas del Carmen . This is one of the most unique travel experiences we’ve ever had, and the Mexican food was definitely worth the trip! 

Don’t forget to bring your passport!  Although the Boquillas Crossing isn’t your typical border crossing, it is still a legal one, and the same rules apply.

Visit a Ghost Town

Just outside of Big Bend National Park , you’ll find an abandoned mining town that went bust.

Terlingua is now a ghost town with decaying buildings, old mining shafts, and a cemetery that has a creepy, haunted feeling. There are still a few dozen residents who live in Terlingua. They basically cater to the tourists who stop through on their way to or from Big Bend. 

You’ll find some restaurants, a trading post, and even a hotel and some unique glamping yurts. Just don’t expect to find any chains like McDonald’s or Holiday Inn in Terlingua. It is a great place to stay if you want to feel completely off the beaten path, star-gaze, and tap into the serenity of solitude.

Visit an Old Military Post in Fort Davis

Fort Davis is an interesting look at military life in the Southwest back in the 1800s. This well-preserved military post serves as a reminder of the significant role the military troops played in the Anglo settlement of the western frontier. 

Originally established in 1854, Fort Davis served as a crucial outpost along the San Antonio-El Paso Road, providing protection for settlers during a time of westward expansion. The military’s primary purpose at Fort Davis was to defend the region from Indians and Mexican soldiers in the area. 

At Fort Davis, you can take a self-guided tour of the five restored buildings and explore the ruins of about 100 more. The fort’s restored buildings include barracks, officers’ quarters, and the hospital.

The fort’s museum showcases exhibits that delve into the area’s Native American history, Buffalo Soldiers, and the challenges faced by those stationed at this remote outpost.

Experience the Quirkiness of the Artistic Enclave of Marfa, Texas

Marfa, Texas has become somewhat of a hub for quirky artistry. One of the best small towns in America to visit , this tiny town has risen to fame over the past few years. 

Marfa has attracted celebrities like Beyonce and Matthew McConaughey who have come to see what this West Texas gem is all about. 

Known for its outdoor, minimalist art installations, visitors to Marfa should plan to check out the Chinati Foundation , a contemporary art museum featuring large-scale installations by the likes of Donald Judd.

Also not to be missed, outside of Marfa on Highway 90, you’ll find a massive mural of James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor. Created by artist John Cerney, the mural is a tribute to the 1956 movie “Giant” which was filmed in West Texas.

You can also have a meal and enjoy some live music and refreshing drinks in the beer garden at Planet Marfa . In Marfa, you’ll feel inspired by the creatives and artists who live and visit this eclectic town.

Watch Mystery ‘Ghost Lights’ Dance Across the Horizon

About 10 miles outside the town of Marfa, Texas you’ll find a small observatory overlooking, well, nothing. Only empty deserts surround the building as far as the eye can see. 

But at night, people will gather on the back observation deck of the building in hopes of catching a glimpse of an unexplained phenomenon – the Marfa lights . Ask anyone who grew up in West Texas about Marfa and they will tell you about the ‘Marfa lights’. 

After nightfall, strange glowing orbs appear off in the distance. The lights move around, even dance a little. The enigmatic Marfa Lights have fascinated visitors for decades. Head to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area on U.S. Highway 67 to witness these elusive phenomena.

Whether they are atmospheric reflections, car headlights, or something truly unexplained, observing the dancing lights in the desert is an otherworldly experience that will leave you in awe.

To my knowledge and in all my research, I’ve yet to find a true scientific explanation for the lights. While there are plenty of speculations, everything from UFOs to natural gas clouds, no one really knows why these ghost lights appear.

 Swim in the World’s Largest Spring-fed Swimming Pool

The small town of Balmorhea, Texas is home to the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. 

The Balmorhea State Park is the perfect place to cool off on a hot West Texas day. The pool is home to various types of fish and has a constant flow of natural spring water feeding into it. In fact, more than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day. 

The water is crystal clear and cold. Reaching depths of 25 feet, it’s also a popular place for scuba diving in West Texas. Be sure to pack your snorkel gear, and swim among the fish in this incredible and amazing place to go in West Texas!

Climb the Tallest Peak in Texas

West Texas not only has mountains, but it is also home to the highest mountain in the state. The summit of Guadalupe Peak is 8,751 feet above sea level. It’s a challenging hike mainly because of the hot, arid desert climate, but a rewarding one. 

Located in Guadalupe National Park , if you plan to hike Guadalupe Peak , make sure you bring plenty of water. You will go through water much faster than you expect because of the extreme heat and dry climate.

If visiting both Big Bend and Guadalupe National Parks, you may want to buy a national park pass , as well, which will cover admission into both national parks.

Sleep in a teepee

If a teepee, yurt, or a vintage trailer sound like your kind of lodging, then you’ll love El Cosmico in Marfa.

This one-of-a-kind desert retreat is like a whimsical glamping destination blended with a hippie commune. It offers a truly unique experience for travelers seeking a blend of nature, art, and unconventional accommodations.

While you’ll have to share a communal bathroom with other teepee dwellers, the accommodations are far from basic. With Bohemian décor, electricity, and brick floors, you won’t feel like you’re roughing it in the desert here. 

The other communal spaces foster a sense of community, with outdoor hammocks and communal kitchens that encourage conversation with other travelers and fellow adventurers staying at the property.

Terlingua also has unique teepee accommodations as well as yurts and bubble accommodations located at Basecamp Terlingua .

Take a picture in the middle of nowhere

Texas is known for its massive size, and naturally, there are parts of the state that are barren and empty. Far West Texas is the perfect place to unleash your inner “Instagram model” and take the cliché middle of the road photo. 

After driving for miles, and miles , and miles without seeing a single other car on the road, we decided to pull over for an impromptu photo shoot. 

Nothing defines West Texas more in my opinion than a sleepy road without any traffic for as far as the eye can see framed with the expansive blue skies above. I have been gone from West Texas for half my life, but this view always makes me feel ‘home’ again.

Do a little window shopping at the Prada store outside of Marfa

While you’re still in “Instagram model” mode, head 30 minutes west of Marfa to the town of Valentine . You won’t find much there except a tiny replica of a Prada storefront .

Yes, in the middle of the far West Texas desert, you’ll find car after car pulling over on the side of the road so visitors can strike their best pose. 

The storefront is just another quirky art installation in this part of Texas, made famous by celebrities and fashion influencers set on capturing the perfect photo. 

Created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset in 2005, this permanently sealed storefront resembles a genuine Prada boutique, complete with pristine window displays showcasing luxury goods. However, upon closer inspection, visitors realize that the store is non-functional.

So, you won’t find anything to actually buy. You’ll have to get your Texas souvenirs elsewhere, but go ahead, dress up, take a picture, and #doitforthegram at this iconic West Texas landmark.

Go Sandboarding on natural West Texas sand dunes

Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a mesmerizing landscape that beacons photographers and adventure seekers alike. 

Spanning over 200 square miles, this natural desert oasis consists of rolling sand dunes that shift and reshape with the strong West Texas winds. The golden-hued dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, inviting adventure seekers to explore their sandy slopes on sleds and sand boards.

It is one of the most unique places to visit in West Texas and provides an otherworldly experience that captures the spirit of Texas wilderness at its finest.

Watch a glorious West Texas sunset

Perhaps one of my favorite things to do on a West Texas road trip is actually one of the simplest. 

At sunset, stop and appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature. Sunsets in West Texas are truly special. It’s like God turns the West Texas sky into a brilliant canvas of orange, pink, purple, and blue.

Photos never do it justice, but when the sun starts to set in West Texas, stop what you are doing and appreciate the moment.

Why you should take a West Texas road trip

Texas has so many micro-cultures. From the metropolitan vibes of Dallas and the cowboy culture of Fort Worth to the hipster atmosphere of Austin and the Latin influence in San Antonio, the state is as diverse as it is large. 

But to truly understand the entire state, you can’t skip the vast and often excluded area of West Texas. It has a unique culture in itself, one that truly has to be experienced to appreciate it.

Have a question about any of these places to visit in West Texas? We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have while planning your West Texas road trip. Leave your comments below.

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