Southwest National Park Adventure: Exploring Big Bend, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, and White Sands.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest. From the majestic canyons of Big Bend National Park to the mesmerizing caves of Carlsbad Caverns, and the towering peaks of Guadalupe Mountains, to the pristine sands of White Sands National Park, this itinerary will take you on a thrilling exploration of some of the region’s most captivating natural wonders.

Day 1 (Accommodation 1): Arrival and Stargazing

We arrived at El Paso International Airport, picked up our rental car and hit the road towards Big Bend National Park. I recommend stopping for groceries and any other necessities in El Paso for your stay and hiking. The scenic drive will take you approximately 5 hours. Our accommodations for the next two nights were at The Summit at Big Bend, where we stayed in an amazing Stargazing Dome. This is about an hour outside of the national park. At this point you may think this is a lot of driving, but the views along the way make it much faster than it really is. Once you arrive at your accommodation dome, get settled, have a fire with some s’mores, and prepare for the adventures that lie ahead.

Day 2 (Accommodation 1): Exploring Big Bend National Park

Wake up refreshed and ready to immerse yourself in the wonders of Big Bend National Park. We started our day by embarking on the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.5-mile hike that rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views. Next, we explored the Balanced Rock Trail, a 2-mile hike showcasing a unique geological formation. Don’t miss the opportunity to drive to/hike Santa Elena Canyon, visit to Mules Ear and Tuff Lookouts, experience the beauty of the park’s landscapes. We ended with a a visit to the Panther Junction Visitor Center to get our traditional park stamp and magnet of the park we just visited. It is very hot by the end of May, so I recommend lots of water, sunscreen and hat to make sure not to get overheated.

Day 3 (Accommodation 2): Carlsbad Caverns National Park

We left accommodation 1 and drove approximately 4 hours to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. You can stop along the way to see Prada Marfa and several other landmarks, which is set up amongst the desert terrain. Once we got to the park, we started off our exploration by visiting the Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center. We delved into the fascinating underground world with a hike through the Cavern Entrance and Bat Amphitheater. You have the option to head down to caverns via elevator or through the amphitheater entrance. Note: tickets are required for purchase to enter the caverns, you can do this at the park itself or online prior to arriving in the case that tickets are sold out. On hand, we have the annual park pass which is $80 per year and gets you into all US federal parks without fees for a year. There is an option for private touring as well, where you get to venture further into the depths of the cavern (this may cost extra on top of the annual pass). After a day of underground exploration, we checked into our 2nd accommodation. We opted for hotel stays for the rest of our trip and stayed 2 nights at the Hyatt House Carlsbad. Enjoy some local Mexican food at El Charro and get some rest for the next venture.

Day 4 (Accommodation 2): Guadalupe Mountains National Park

We drove the scenic one-hour to Guadalupe Mountains National Park Embark and began with the challenging Guadalupe Peak Trail, a rewarding 8.1-mile trek that takes you to the highest point in Texas. Next we headed to Pine Springs Visitor Center, where you can gather info and history about the park. If you are wanting more after or a less strenuous option, explore the Devil’s Hall Trail, a 3.8-mile hike showcasing stunning rock formations. We started this hike early to avoid the afternoon heat. After a day of hiking, we returned to our hotel in Carlsbad for a well-deserved rest.

Day 5 (Accommodation 3): White Sands National Park and Return to El Paso

We embarked on a three-hour drive to White Sands National Park, a surreal landscape of pristine gypsum dunes. Keep an eye on closure alerts, this park is part of White Sands Missile Range, where they do monthly testing. Start your visit at the White Sands Visitor Center and rent a sled for some exhilarating dune sledding. We opted to drive the entire loop through the dunes and stop to sled in sections with the highest slopes. But you can Explore the Alkali Flat Trail, a 4.7-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the dunes, or opt for the Dune Life Nature Trail, a shorter but equally captivating hike. Bring your sunglasses, hat, water, snacks, and sunscreen.

Before heading back to El Paso, we grabbed some of the best burgers from Rockin’ BZ Burgers. Then we headed over to Pistachio Land for some homemade pistachio ice cream and picture with the giant nut. Afterward, we began our journey back to El Paso, approximately 1.5 hours away. We did not get to stop due to after hours, but you can stop at the White Sand Missile Range Museum and then grab local coffee at Picacho Coffee Roasters. We checked into our last accommodation of our stay, Courtyard by Marriott El Paso Airport.

Day 6: The end of the adventure

We departed to catch an early morning flight from El Paso International Airport to home, taking with us new cherished memories.

Prepare for your day trek with these hiking essentials!