6 days of Desert National Park adventure
Journey through the diverse landscapes of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico, from the rugged canyons of Big Bend and the tall peaks of Guadalupe Mountains to the underground wonders of Carlsbad Caverns.
Day 1 to 3
:
Discover Big Bend National Park
Camping in Chisos Basin
Arrive at Big Bend and set up camp at Chisos Basin Campground, a central location surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and many opportunities for hiking.
Explore the Rio Grande
Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, stopping to enjoy canyon hikes and overlooks before hiking between the towering cliffs of Santa Elena Canyon (1.7 miles) along the Rio Grande.
Relax in hot springs
On your final day, visit the park's Hot Springs Historic District and enjoy a soak.
Day 4 and 5
:
Climb the Guadalupe Mountains
Drive to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Arrive early at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and stop by the Pine Springs Visitor Center to learn about the park’s rugged peaks and desert ecosystem. The Williams's Ranch is always a fun first stop after the visitor center.
Summit Guadalupe Peak
Tackle the strenuous 8.4-mile roundtrip hike to the “Top of Texas,” the highest point in the state at 8,751 feet, offering sweeping views of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Camp under the stars
Stay overnight at Pine Springs Campground, where the dark sky offers some of the best stargazing in the region.
Day 6
:
Explore Carlsbad Caverns
Descend into the caverns
Drive to the park and start your day at the visitor center before taking a self-guided tour down the Natural Entrance Trail (1.25 miles).
Discover the Big Room
Explore the largest single cave chamber in North America, where stalactites, stalagmites, and otherworldly formations create a mesmerizing landscape.
Watch the Bat Flight (Seasonal)
If visiting in summer, stay until dusk to witness thousands of bats emerging from the cave in a spectacular evening display.
Night sky over Guadalupe mountains
Guadalupe Peak positioned behind El Capitan
Hummingbird perched on a branch
Sunset over the Chisos Mountains
Smith Spring
1 of
Optional add-on
A day at Frijole Ranch
If time allows, spend another day in Guadalupe Mountains National Park learning about frontier history, hiking near streams, and looking for fossils in the Frijole Ranch area.
Visit Smart
Book in advance
Cave tours at Carlsbad Caverns require reservations, so get your spot ahead of time.
Know your limits
Trails in Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains can be steep and strenuous—carry plenty of water and hike early to avoid extreme heat.
Be prepared
Cell service is limited in these remote parks, so download maps and carry a physical backup. Drive times can also be several hours, so study the route and pack accordingly.
Leave no trace
These landscapes are sacred to Indigenous communities—respect the land, pack out all waste, and stay on designated trails.
1 of
