Big Bend National Park

Sam Nail Ranch - Established in 1916, Sam Nail constructed a two-room house here, where he and his wife Nena raised livestock, planted pecan, walnut, and fig trees, and nurtured a family. The trail from the road is quite simple, about a half-mile round trip, leading to the remnants of these orchards and the house.

Sotol Vista - This breathtaking viewpoint just off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive offers a 360-degree view of much of the park’s western half, including the distant Santa Elena Canyon.

Mule Ears Viewpoint - A parking area provides an easy view of the unique Mule Ears mountain, a volcanic rock formation resembling a pair of mule ears.

Tuff Canyon Overlook - Three overlooks provide a view into this small canyon. A trail from the southern parking lot descends into the canyon. The hike is less than a mile round trip and takes about an hour. At the time of writing, this stop was temporarily closed indefinitely due to some rock slides.

Castolon - Discover the remnants of this early 20th-century community near the U.S./Mexico border. Buildings like the Alvino House and La Harmonia store illustrate what life was like for the multicultural community that lived here 100 years ago.

While visiting, check out the visitor center to learn more about the area, and stock up on snacks and supplies at the store.

Santa Elena Canyon Overlook - This easily accessible viewpoint offers a stunning view of the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon - Experience the entrance of the impressive Santa Elena Canyon, with walls 1500 feet high, just a few steps from the parking lot. There is a trail into the canyon, but reaching the trailhead requires a water crossing that may not be advisable in high water or heavy mud.

If you reach the trail on the other side, it’s a 1.6-mile round trip and considered easy, aside from a couple of places with steps.

Dorgan Sublett Trail - This easy, 1-mile round trip hike leads to the remnants of two pioneer homes belonging to the Dorgan and Sublett families. The Dorgan family’s adobe house offers an interesting playground for photographers, with a stunning backdrop of rock formations and the Chisos Mountains.

Homer Wilson Ranch - A pull-off along the scenic drive provides access to a small observation deck to view the old Homer Wilson Ranch, the remains of a rancher’s home from the early to mid-20th century. You can see the house from the observation deck or take a 1-mile round trip hike to the house. The trail takes about 30 minutes and is considered easy, though it crosses two drainages that may flood.

Chisos Mountains - Spend the day in Chisos Basin, where the higher altitude means consistently cooler temperatures than the rest of the park. Start at the visitor center for a trail map, or the store to gear up on snacks and supplies. Enjoy a meal at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Or take any of the several hiking trails. Everyone should try the 0.3-mile Window View Trail, a paved walkway leading to a view of “The Window” in the Chisos Mountains. The 5-mile round trip, moderately difficult Lost Mine Trail is also popular.

Panther Junction Visitor Center - This is the main visitor center in the park. Watch the park video, browse the gift shop, or explore the displays on the area’s geography and ecosystems. You can also stroll through a garden of local plant life outside near the parking lot.

Fossil Discovery Exhibit - This unique outdoor museum showcases the diverse fossil collection discovered in Big Bend. Browse the real and replicated fossils that span over 65 million years of history.

Dugout Wells - This oasis was once home to a school for the area’s children. Today, you can take the half-mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail loop that explores the oasis and the surrounding desert plant life. It’s a bumpy dirt road off the park road to reach Dugout Wells.

Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead-Hot Springs - Along the Rio Grande are the remains of a hot springs resort from the early 20th century. The hot springs are still there, along with the foundations of the bathhouse, accessible about a half mile down the trail. There are also some buildings left from the community, creating a small historic district. Additionally, along the trail is a spot with some old pictographs. The historic district and trailhead are accessible down a two-mile gravel road.

Rio Grande Overlook - This overlook stands above the Rio Grande Village area, with the greenery surrounding the river in plain sight.

Rio Grande Village Visitor Center - Learn about the Rio Grande at this visitor center just a quarter mile from the campground. You can also get information about the Boquillas Crossing and the area’s trails from a park ranger.

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail - Located in the back of the Rio Grande Village campground, this 0.75-mile nature trail starts with a series of boardwalks through wetlands and then leads to the Rio Grande itself. This is an easy trail and a good one for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

Boquillas Crossing - This official port of entry allows you to legally cross the Rio Grande and enter Mexico to visit the remote town of Boquillas del Carmen. There, you can experience a small sample of Mexican culture, enjoy a meal, and do a little souvenir shopping. Make sure to bring your passport!

Boquillas Canyon Overlook - Get a sneak preview of the Boquillas Canyon from this overlook that stands right over the Rio Grande. You can also look into Mexico and catch a glimpse of the town of Boquillas del Carmen.

Boquillas Canyon - Hike into Boquillas Canyon, with walls over 1300 feet tall, and stand on the border between the United States and Mexico. The 1.5-mile round-trip trail is easy, save for the small hill at the very beginning. The trail leads into the canyon, with the Rio Grande in the middle, the United States on one side, and Mexico on the other.

White Sands National Park

Playa Trail - This short and very easy trail takes you to a dried lakebed or a playa. Informational panels interpret what the playa looks like, and what kinds of animals it attracts, throughout the seasons. The trail is about a half-mile round trip and flat.

Dune Life Nature Trailhead - This one-mile loop takes about an hour and goes up and down the dunes through the interdunal area, or the transition zone between the desert scrubland and the sand dunes.

Because of a few steep climbs and the general difficulty of hiking through sand, this hike is rated as moderate. But the reward is walking through a unique ecosystem.

Interdune Boardwalk - This is a must-stop for everyone. The Interdune Boardwalk is an ADA-accessible elevated path through the interdunal area.

If you’re not able to try the Dune Life Nature Trail, this one’s a great alternative. A couple of covered seating areas offer shade on this half-mile round-trip walk.

Backcountry Camping Trailhead - White Sands features a backcountry camping area, with remote campsites out among the dunes. However, the trail to the campsites is open to anyone.

It’s a two-mile loop and rated moderate because of the difficulty of hiking up and down sand dunes.

However, this trail is a good alternative if you want to experience being out in the dunes without attempting the more difficult Alkali Flat trail.

Alkali Flat Trail - Alkali Flat is the dried lakebed of the ancient Lake Otero, where the white sands are formed.

To reach the edge of the flat, hike this five-mile round-trip hike through the sand dunes.

Because of the length, and the continued challenge of hiking through sand, this is rated as a difficult hike.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Pine Springs Visitor Center - This small visitor center includes exhibits on the park’s geological and natural features. There’s also a small gift shop. This is where you’ll need to pay your park fee.

Pine Springs Trailhead - One of the primary trailheads in the park, Pine Springs is the starting point for several trails. The two most popular are the trails to Guadalupe Peak, and Devil’s Hall. Guadalupe Peak is the highest mountain in Texas. The hike to the summit is 8.4 miles round trip, with 3,000 feet of elevation change, and is considered difficult. Devil’s Hall is about 4 miles round trip and is moderate to difficult. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for either trail.

Pinery Butterfield Stage Station Ruins - What remains of an overland mail route station called the Pinery sits at the foot of the Guadalupe Mountains. Mail used to cross the country by carriage, stopping at stations like this for a new driver and a fresh team of horses.

Frijoles Canyon - Explore a historic homestead at the Frijole Ranch. The farmhouse has been converted into a small museum displaying artifacts from the area’s human history. You can also walk beyond the ranch to reach the Smith Spring Loop Trail, which heads a small ways into the mountain forest to a spring. The whole trail is 2.3 miles round trip and is considered moderate. You can also just stop at the Manzanita Spring, which is only 0.5 miles round trip.

McKittrick Canyon - McKittrick Canyon is an easier alternative to hike into the mountains than the hikes at the Pine Springs trailhead. There are a few hiking choices here, but the most recommended is the hike to Pratt Cabin. The hike is 4.8 miles round trip and is considered moderately difficult, mainly for the length. This area is known for colorful trees during the autumn. Next to the trailhead is a small visitor center that’s intermittently staffed.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Walnut Canyon Nature Trail - This little trail is just a few hundred feet long, but you can explore a small patch of Chihuahuan Desert, with some possible shade provided by the cliffs of Walnut Canyon. Interpretive signs identify plant life found along the trail and throughout the park.

Walnut Canyon Nature Trail - An easy, paved trail less than half a mile round trip leads to a vista point overlooking Walnut Canyon. Not much of a hike, but a decent view.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center - Here’s where you’ll pay for your entrance to the park, as well as purchase any additional tours you might want to do. You can also explore the exhibits, get a bite to eat in the cafeteria (open 8am-4pm), and do your souvenir shopping in the gift shop. Lastly, this is also where you access the cave, either using the elevator or the back door for the trail to the natural entrance.

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