Texas has it all: beautiful beaches, wide open plains, rolling hills, diverse wetlands, and mountains that tower so high, they threaten to pierce the clouds with their majestic peaks. On this six-hour road trip, you can visit four state and national parks that all feature vast, sprawling mountains in Texas sure to take your breath away. Do the entire drive in one day, or camp at any of the parks to allow more time to explore.
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Google Maps
- Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso)
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Texas Parks & Wildlife Our trip begins in El Paso, as far west as you can possible go in Texas. Franklin Mountains State Park sites on 27,000 sprawling acres of rugged desert landscape and boasts over 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails vary in length and difficulty, appealing to almost all ages and skill levels. You can even hike to (and explore) an abandoned tin mine! There’s also a designated rock climbing area, plus tent and RV campsites if you’d like to spend the night. Learn more about Franklin Mountains State Park on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX 79930, USA
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Salt Flat)
Gary L. Button, Architect / Moment via Getty Images
Jacob Bryant / EyeEm via Getty Images Just two hours east of El Paso lies Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Home to the tallest mountain in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, this magical place belongs on everyone’s bucket list. There are countless ways to enjoy the park, from hiking to traversing the pearly white gypsum sand dunes that tell the story of an ancient ocean to embarking on a scenic drive. If you’re up for the challenge, the views from the 8.5-mile Guadalupe Peak Trail simply can’t be beat. It takes you to the “top of Texas!” Learn more about Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the National Park Service website. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA
- Davis Mountains State Park (Fort Davis)
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Texas Parks & Wildlife Nature and history converge at Davis Mountains State Park, located just down the street from the Fort Davis National Historic Site that protects the ruins of a mid-to-late-1800s army post. The park is an outdoorsperson’s (and history buff’s) dream, with multiuse trails, original CCC buildings, and a gorgeous, 39-room motel complete with a restaurant and swimming pool. Learn more about Davis Mountains State Park on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. Davis Mountains State Park, Park Rd 3, Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA
- Big Bend National Park (Panther Junction)
Photography by Deb Snelson / Moment via Getty Images
Joshua Shanto / EyeEm via Getty Images The trip concludes in the most memorable way possible - with a visit to the world-famous Big Bend National Park. This secluded oasis spans over 800,000 acres and boasts some of the best hiking trails and darkest night skies in all of Texas. Two of the most iconic sights in the park - the viewpoint known as “The Window” and Santa Elena Canyon, are pictured above. You can hike The Window Trail, which is 5.5 miles round-trip in its entirety, or simply take a .3-mile loop to the overlook. As for Santa Elena Canyon, an easy, 1.4-mile trail leads through the canyon, or you can embark on a paddling trip instead. To learn more about Big Bend National Park, visit the National Park Service website. Big Bend National Park, TX, USA
Would you take this road trip to the most beautiful mountains in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn more about the Santa Elena Canyon Trail.
Google Maps
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Our trip begins in El Paso, as far west as you can possible go in Texas. Franklin Mountains State Park sites on 27,000 sprawling acres of rugged desert landscape and boasts over 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails vary in length and difficulty, appealing to almost all ages and skill levels. You can even hike to (and explore) an abandoned tin mine! There’s also a designated rock climbing area, plus tent and RV campsites if you’d like to spend the night. Learn more about Franklin Mountains State Park on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.
Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX 79930, USA
Gary L. Button, Architect / Moment via Getty Images
Jacob Bryant / EyeEm via Getty Images
Just two hours east of El Paso lies Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Home to the tallest mountain in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, this magical place belongs on everyone’s bucket list. There are countless ways to enjoy the park, from hiking to traversing the pearly white gypsum sand dunes that tell the story of an ancient ocean to embarking on a scenic drive. If you’re up for the challenge, the views from the 8.5-mile Guadalupe Peak Trail simply can’t be beat. It takes you to the “top of Texas!” Learn more about Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the National Park Service website.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA
Nature and history converge at Davis Mountains State Park, located just down the street from the Fort Davis National Historic Site that protects the ruins of a mid-to-late-1800s army post. The park is an outdoorsperson’s (and history buff’s) dream, with multiuse trails, original CCC buildings, and a gorgeous, 39-room motel complete with a restaurant and swimming pool. Learn more about Davis Mountains State Park on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.
Davis Mountains State Park, Park Rd 3, Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA
Photography by Deb Snelson / Moment via Getty Images
Joshua Shanto / EyeEm via Getty Images
The trip concludes in the most memorable way possible - with a visit to the world-famous Big Bend National Park. This secluded oasis spans over 800,000 acres and boasts some of the best hiking trails and darkest night skies in all of Texas. Two of the most iconic sights in the park - the viewpoint known as “The Window” and Santa Elena Canyon, are pictured above. You can hike The Window Trail, which is 5.5 miles round-trip in its entirety, or simply take a .3-mile loop to the overlook. As for Santa Elena Canyon, an easy, 1.4-mile trail leads through the canyon, or you can embark on a paddling trip instead. To learn more about Big Bend National Park, visit the National Park Service website.
Big Bend National Park, TX, USA
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