Texas and New Mexico Bundle 4 day Self Guided National Park Tours

In 1916, Sam Nail built a two-room house here, and together with his wife Nena, raised livestock, planted pecan, walnut, and fig trees, and raised a family. The trail from the road is really easy, about a half-mile round trip, and it takes you to what’s left of these orchards, and of the house.

This incredible view just off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive takes in a 360-degree view of much of the western half of the park, including Santa Elena Canyon out in the distance.

rock formation that looks like a pair of mule ears.

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 indefinitely after some rock slides.

Buildings like the Alvino House and La Harmonia store interpret what life was like for the multicultural community that lived here 100 years ago. While you're here, check out the visitor center to learn more about the area, and stock up on snacks and supplies at the store.

Enjoy the mouth of the imposing Santa Elena Canyon, with walls 1500 feet high, just a few dozen steps away 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 do 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.

This easy, 1-mile round trip hike takes you to the remnants of two pioneer homes belonging to the Dorgan and Sublett families. The Dorgan family's adobe house provides an interesting playground for photographers, with a stunning background vista of rock formations and the Chisos Mountains.

A pulloff along the scenic drive provides access to a small observation deck to see the old Homer Wilson Ranch, what's left 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.

You could easily spend the day up 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. Grab a meal at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Or take any of the several hiking trails. Everyone ought to take the 0.3-mile Window View Trail, a paved walkway that leads to a view of "The Window" in the Chisos Mountains. The 5-mile round trip, moderately difficult Lost Mine Trail is also popular.

This is the primary visitor center in the park. Watch the park video, browse the gift shop, or check out 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.

Browse the real and replicated fossils that span over 65 million years of history.

Today, you can take the half-mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail loop that explores the oasis as well as the surrounding desert plant life. It's a bumpy dirt road off the park road to reach Dugout Wells.

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.

You can also get information about the Boquillas Crossing and the area's trails from a park ranger.

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.

Mexico to visit the remote town of Boquillas del Carmen. There, you can experience a small sample of Mexican culture, eat a meal, and do a little souvenir shopping. Make sure to bring your passport!

You can also look into Mexico and catch a glimpse of the town of Boquillas del Carmen.

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.

The visitor center is part of the White Sands Historic District, a group of adobe buildings constructed during the Great Depression that adheres to the Pueblo Revival style. At the visitor center, you can visit the small museum, watch the park film, browse through two gift shops, and purchase sleds if you'd like to try sledding on the sand dunes.

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.

e 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.

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.

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 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.

minent peak in the Guadalupe Mountains standing just over 8,000 feet tall.

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.

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.

Mail used to cross the country by carriage, stopping at stations like this for a new driver and a fresh team of horses.

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 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 intermittenly staffed.

atch 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.

Not much of a hike, but a decent view.

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.