Exploring the Depths: 3 Epic Days in the Guadalupe Mountains & Carlsbad Caverns

My first stop on my roadtrip through the 50 states and this journey was nothing short of magical. After spending three years in Houston and exploring so much of what Texas has to offer (seriously, Texas is enormous), I decided it was time to hit the road and start my national adventure.  But before heading off into the unknown, I had one final Texas bucket list item to check off—Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Since Carlsbad Caverns was just a short drive away, I figured, why not see both of these wonders in one epic trip?

This guide will walk you through how I spent three unforgettable days in these parks, where to stay, and some solid food recommendations along the way!

Tips

• Please keep in mind that when inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park the nearest gas stations are 35 miles away in either direction (40-45 minutes). Prepare ahead and get gas before entering the park!

• Cell reception is spotty at both parks, so download your maps and plan your hikes ahead of time.

Getting there

I made the 9 1/2-hour drive from Houston to Carlsbad, but I get that’s not for everyone! Here are some airport options if you prefer flying, but keep in mind you will still have to get a rental car to get into the park:

• El Paso International Airport (ELP) – About 110 miles (2 hours) west of the park, in El Paso, Texas. This is the closest major airport and a common gateway for visitors.

• Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF) – Approximately 180 miles (3 hours) east of the park, in Midland, Texas. While farther than El Paso, it's another option for travelers.

• Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM) – About 56 miles (1 hour) northeast of the park, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. This is a smaller regional airport with limited commercial flights but can be convenient if available.

Accommodations

Since I was traveling through in an RV and wanted electric hook-ups I stayed at Carlsbad RV Park and Campground which is about an hour away from Guadalupe Mountains NP and about 20 minutes away from Carlsbad Caverns.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Inside the Park

• Pine Springs Campground - Very close to the visitor's center and nearby many of the popular trails in the park! There are basic tent and RV camping spots offered with no hookups or showers. There are water fill-up stations nearby and the visitor center has sells ice.

• Dog Canyon Campground - On the north side of the park and offers a more remote option with similar amenities as Pine Springs

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Inside the Park

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park allows backcountry camping with a free permit, though there are no developed campgrounds within the park itself.

Near the Parks

• Van Horn, TX (65 miles south of the park): A small town with a few basic accommodations like the Hampton Inn Van Horn and Holiday Inn Express.

• Carlsbad, NM (about 60 miles northeast of the park, also near Carlsbad Caverns): Several chain hotels like La Quinta Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Fairfield Inn & Suites.

• Whites City, NM (7 miles from Carlsbad Caverns): This small community closer to the park offers the Whites City Cavern Inn and some RV camping.

• Vacation Rentals: There are also Airbnb and VRBO options in Carlsbad, NM, and Van Horn, TX, offering more privacy or unique stays.

Day 1 - Guadalupe Mountains National Park

El Capitan Viewpoint

I began my first day bright and early at El Capitan Viewpoint to catch the sun rise over the mountains. On both sides of the road there are pull-offs. There are picnic tables out here so this is a great spot to take in the views and eat a quick breakfast before beginning the day. You can also opt to go for sunset instead, but when I passed by at sunset it looks like there were a lot more people out also trying to get the end of day views! Do not trust Apple Maps on this one because it will bring you on a wild goose chase to get to where you need to be.

Devil's Hall Trail

I opted to do this trail early to beat the heat and to really see the beauty of the light of the sun hitting the walls that line the trail. This trail is a 3.8-mile hike with about 600 feet of elevation gain. This was a pretty moderate hike, the beginning of the trail was pretty easy, but then there are some boulders closer to the end and you have to do a little climbing. The trailhead begins at the Pine Springs Campground.

Lunch & Rest Break in Carlsbad

After lunch, I took a break from the heat and drove into Carlsbad for some lunch. I stopped in at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos on the way and grabbed some delicious Barbacoa tacos. Everything there is in Spanish so make sure to pull out Google translate or look up the menu ahead if you're not familiar with traditional Mexican foods!

Sunset at the Salt Basin Dunes

Ending the day with a bang, we began the long drive to the Salt Basin Dunes for sunset. There is a long and very bumpy dirt road to get there and it is not recommended to drive on this road if it has rained recently. 4-Wheel Drive is recommended but not necessary, I drove my camper van down this road and had no issues at all. I arrived a little over an hour before sunset to be able to hike about 1.75 miles out to the Salt Basin Dunes. This is a quick and easy walk to the dunes, but it is tough to climb up the dunes once you get there with the sliding sand! I made sure to begin walking back to the van about 15 minutes before the official sunset time to give myself plenty of time to hike back and make it back down the dirt road in the daylight.

The sunset was absolutely beautiful here and as the sun hits the sand it shines and almost looks like glitter!

Day 2 - Guadalupe Peak

Guadalupe Mountains is home to the tallest peak in Texas with an elevation of 8,751 feet. The hike to reach it is 8.4 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of roughly 3,000 feet. This is a very strenuous and challenging hike.

The first two miles are the toughest beginning with steep switchbacks, but I don't think there were any parts of this hike that were easy. There is a lot of loose rock on the trail so make sure to wear very sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and pack some trekking poles for extra support.

Bring way more water than you think you need! I brought my camelback and was out of water before reaching the top. The recommended amount from the National Park is 1 gallon per person. Start early on this hike to avoid the heat and make sure you have enough daylight to complete it!

At the top, you'll be greeted with outstanding panoramic views of El Capitan and the desert below. There is even a stainless steel pyramid at the top of the hike put there in 1958 by American Airlines to highlight the historical significance of transportation and exploration in the American Southwest.

Since this was a longer hike, I left my cat, Haven, with a sitter for the day in Carlsbad so she could quietly enjoy the AC inside while I took my time on the hike. I highly recommend this sitter if you are looking to leave your pets for the day to explore!

Day 3 - Carlsbad Caverns

Breakfast stop

After a long day of hiking the day before I took this day easy and had a slow morning grabbing breakfast at Yellow Brix Restaurant. This place has an adorable outdoor area and is a great place to spend some time and relax or you can call in an order to go!

Natural Entrance Trail & Big Room Trail

To fully explore the Carlsbad Caverns, the Natural Entrance Trail and Big Room Trail are the most popular. They connect together to offer a comprehensive tour of the cave. To be able to see the Big Room you have to make a reservation ahead. You can make reservations here.

The Natural Entrance Trail is a steep, winding path that descends about 750 feet from the surface into the cave through it's natural opening. This is a 1.25 mile paved pathway taking you through the caves features and along the way you might even see some cave swallows!

This trail eventually leads you to the elevators or you can continue on to the Big Room Trail to explore the largest chamber of the cave. This trail is another 1.25 miles or you can take an optional .5 mile shortcut. After I explored I took the elevator back up which goes right into the visitor center! If a steep walk is not for you, take the elevator down from the visitor center, skipping the Natural Entrance Trail and taking the Big Room trail instead.

I spent the rest of the day visiting with friends and packing up for the long drive back, but if you're looking to explore further here are a few other things to do in Carlsbad Caverns:

• Caverns Historic District - Located near the park’s entrance, the Caverns Historic District offers a glimpse into the rich history of Carlsbad Caverns, from its early exploration to its development as a national park.

• Rattlesnake Spring Historic District - The Rattlesnake Springs Historic District, a short drive from the main caverns area, is a peaceful spot known for its historic spring-fed oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert.

• Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail - The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail is a short, easy hike located near the Visitor Center that gives you an opportunity to experience the unique desert ecosystem surrounding the caverns.

• Take a cave tour! Unfortunately, when I was here most of the cave tours were suspended or sold out, but you can make reservations ahead to get a further glimpse into the caves.

This trip marked the beginning of my 50-state journey, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. From the rugged beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains to the underground wonder of Carlsbad Caverns, this corner of the country is truly something special. Whether you're looking for challenging hikes or awe-inspiring natural beauty, these parks offer it all. Just be sure to plan ahead, bring plenty of water, and get ready for an adventure that will stay with you long after you've left!