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I solo drove almost 1,700 miles through west Texas to visit some beautiful state and national parks.
April 25, 2025
I spent 5 days visiting 2 state and 2 national parks in Texas—and hopping the state border for another national park that I missed on my last New Mexico trip.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park
Between the massive mountains greeting you upon entrance to the park and the desert scenery that differs as you drive down into it, Big Bend National Park quickly become one of my favorite national parks.
Chisos Basin
Chisos Basin
I started my stay with some spectacular variance in views: hiking the Lost Mine Trail up above the basin through a frosty fairyland, followed by The Window Trail down into the basin through rocky desert. I then stayed at Chisos Basin campground, enjoying the views of the mountains circling the basin.
Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1,131 feet
Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 961 feet
Boquillas Hot Springs
Boquillas Hot Springs
What was once an established and popular destination, only the foundation of the bath house remains—but it now makes for a nice half-mile walk to a secluded soak in the hot spring as you overlook the rush of the Rio Grande.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
The 30-mile drive takes you through beautiful desertscapes and scenic overlooks that eventually leads to Santa Elena Canyon.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park was relatively small compared to Big Bend in terms of where you could drive (most of the park is wilderness area), so 2 days felt like the perfect length. It gave enough time to hike Guadalupe Peak to the "top of Texas" and enjoy a night at Pine Springs campground.
Despite missing the notice that the sites were walk-in only and having to make countless short trips to and from the parking lot, campsite #8 flaunted a nice tree that made it possible to relax in the evening the breeze.
Distance: 8.4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 2,936 feet
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
I only stayed for the self tour at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, but enjoyed the stroll 750 feet down into the caverns (you can also take an elevator)—and sending postcards from the gift shop and mailbox at the bottom.
West Texas state parks
West Texas state parks
Franklin Mountains State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park
Nestled in a beautiful mountain range, the campground at Franklin Mountains State Park was basic in terms of amenities—offering only a vault toilet—but atoned with its views overlooking El Paso.
Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park was the perfect pit stop on my way from Big Bend to Guadalupe Mountains, offering campsites nicely shaded by lots of trees and what felt like spoils of amenities—although it was probably just the free showers after days of hiking.
On the road
On the road
Some sights I enjoyed while wandering through west Texas and Arizona.
Somewhere in Arizona
"Giant" Marfa mural
Mural with music
Marfa Sleeping Figure
Prada Marfa
Somewhere in Texas
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