Day TripsNational parkNational park entry fee
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
About 2 hours east
The highest point in Texas, a reef that used to be underwater, and McKittrick Canyon turning gold every fall.
Why go
- Guadalupe Peak is the Texas summit — a hard, rewarding day hike.
- Late October and early November in McKittrick Canyon is the only real fall color in the region.
Planning notes
- Start Guadalupe Peak at sunrise, and respect the wind — it is famous for a reason.
- Carlsbad Caverns is another 45 minutes past it if you are making a weekend of it.