First off, the visitor center has a water filling station, nice restrooms and amazing employees…read more Their gift shop is really small compared to other national parks but they have a good variety of items to choose from. This park is on mountain time- remember that- even if your phone keeps jumping back and forth between the time zones. I hiked the Guadalupe Peak Trail and oh my goodness such an amazing hike. I started early and made sure to have plenty of water. When I was coming down, I was a little surprised by how many people were starting the hike... in June at the hottest time of the day. Make sure to be prepared and enjoy all the breathtaking sights.

So I spent part of the week here exploring and I really enjoyed my time here. It is the smaller…read moreNational Park in Texas on about 85,000 acres (compared to Big Bend National Park which is 800,000 acres) but still plenty to explore. This park is more for folks that really like to hike, explore and camp. There are a few entry points into the park but there really is no scenic routes through the park. You are expected to park somewhere and walk to your destination instead which I find very interesting to do (can see alot more too). I've visiting the frijole ranch that had a small museum inside explaining the history of the park. Attach to it there are a few trails you can take off to do. I did the smith springs and it was very pretty to see. Once you manage to get up the hill there were some seats and rails you can hang onto and relax while watching the spring. I also did the Guadalupe Mountain Peak trail, which is the highest peak in Texas. That one takes about 6 to 8 hours to hike (round trip) and it had amazing views. There was also a mark at the to there you can take a picture too which was cool. Definitely need to be prepped to do this or any of the hikes (water, food, first aid, hiking stick and good hiking boots). The Salt Basin Dunes were also really nice to explore but expect to do half a day here. That one you drive over dirt road to get to but very nice views of the mountain. It also had a place you can use the restroom and sit down to eat. The place is exactly what you expect...alot of sand hills you can climb but very soft and cooling (just watch your step). I didn't get to explore all the park since there was a government shut down and closed one of the trails I wanted to do but overall It was definitely worth the trip to visit. I plan to come back next year when it's not too hot (best time for fall colors and cool air for tough hikes). I would absolutely recommend anyone to at least check this park out at least once in your life. Make sure do your research and bring what you need.

I had biketoured through this amazing community three years ago (JAN 2018) on my beloved…read moreDoublevision, and after overnighting at the city park, enjoyed a much-needed brekkie at the fabulous Spanish Angels Cafe before leaving the village. This time (01DEC2021), I had "aged out" and am now reliant upon my eBikeKit-assisted CruzBike (model S40), which enables me to continue my biketouring with help from an eWheel. I needed a site that had a 110v outlet that I could recharge the eBatteries. I contacted Diana at City Hall (915.964.2344), who gave me Mr. Chacón's number (432.940.6658), owner/operator of the excellent E & I RV Park, and gave me the requisite permission to overnight there. I also had access to the outlet to make the essential recharge connection. It was FANTASTIC! I highly recommend this site for an inexpensive camping experience, and it certainly gets my coveted "iWheel of Approval!" Worth noting is that this wonderful community is some 15miles/24kms North of US62-180 on FM1437, and is at a lower elevation than most of the surrounding area. It is similar to White Sands National Monument in that the cold seeps up from the ground, and unless you have a pad/layers, you'll chill to the bone! In fact, there is nearly a 20F air temperature difference from US62-180 to Dell City. Also, it's quite interesting to not just take 1437, but make a round trip on the "agricultural loop", which junctions back with 62-180 further East/closer to the salt flats--important if you are continuing to Guadalupe Mountains National Park or Blue Origins Launch Site one.

Really nice guy, clean space, quiet. Really enjoyable, would recommend and will definitely come…read moreback.

Fun time at this park…read more Enroute from San Antonio to El Paso, we were able to stop at this park to get the kids out of the car and into some refreshing spring water It was clean, not crowded and left us already planning a return on our next trip back or towards Big Bend National. There are cabins on the ground, picnic tables, barbecue pits. I saw a basketball court. They had a few nature areas to enjoy. I was certainly pleased with just getting my feet wet, but the water is clear and if you were interested in seeing more below the water, I recommend goggles or snorkeling gear. I hear companies teach scuba here too. There's not much else near the park, so bring all the amenities you need or want there. Good times with nature. We will return.

Out on the frontier removed from the frustrations of civilization sits Balmorhea an artesian gem…read morehiding among the tumbleweeds. The springs themselves are astonishing. Crystalline water, a natural oasis. Wilderness as a touch of elegance. The water is cool, refreshing, and large enough you can swim without bumping into a flotilla of inflatable flamingos every ten seconds. It is serene. Now, the true pièce de résistance: tiny fish. Yes darling, little cousins of piranhas nibbling delicately at your skin. At first, it's mildly horrifying. Being lightly snacked upon by aquatic creatures isn't typically on the itinerary. It's nature's exfoliation service. Truly. These miniature aestheticians gather around and provide the most delightful, ticklish skin treatment imaginable. Think of it as a rustic version of spa fish pedicures, except this one is completely natural, wildly entertaining, and performed by creatures that actually live in the ecosystem instead of a questionable salon tank. The entire place has this fascinating ecological charm that sneaks up on you. You're floating in a massive spring-fed pool, mountains in the distance, dragonflies skimming the water, and tiny fish politely tend to your skincare needs. The magic of Balmorhea (I'll let you figure out how to pronounce it correctly) is that it's a living ecosystem, and being able to swim in the middle of it is special. It's frontier chic. Don't expect marble spas and cucumber water. Following an afternoon, my skin felt absurdly smooth, stress level plummeted, and it was imperative to recommend the remote desert destination without qualification. Five stars for the fish running the spa.

Nice campground for $20 a night ($10 if you have a park pass). You can reserve online. There is no…read moreelectric or water at the sites. There are flushing restrooms down by the RV parking and vault toilets by the tent camping. Gorgeous views of the Guadalupe mountains. Some of the sites require a small walk. Trails are off limits to dogs except for the paved trail around the visitor's center. Beautiful sunrise and moon rise views of you happen to be around during a full moon.

Pine Springs Campground is the primary spot for camping within Guadalupe Mountains National Park…read more For all you adventurous tourists and National Park gurus out there...I would think it'd sort of be a right of passage that after exploring around Guadalupe Mountains...you'd spend an evening or two here at Pine Springs. I'd say the best aspect to this campground is the location. It's unbeatable! Just next door to this Pine Springs Campground (literally within walking distance) is the Pine Springs Trailhead. From here at the park's chief Trailhead...you have access to the paramount hikes within Guadalupe Mountains! So when you complete your day filled with desert hiking among the remote and desolate surroundings of Western Texas...simply walk on over here to the campground to rest for the evening. It's so convenient!! It's $15 per night to camp at Pine Springs. What I did...or what the Park Ranger instructed me to do was...choose from any of the 20 Pine Springs campsites offered, then set up your tent and belongings, and even back your car into the site. Now on your own accord walk on over to the Pine Springs Trailhead area where you'll approach an instruction board on how to pay. And it's pretty much like any other campground. You'll fill out an envelope with payment and your information and then drop it into a security/safe box. Next take the receipt from the envelope and hang it beside your campsite as proof of payment. It's that easy and now your campsite is reserved for however many nights you plan on staying. Campsites are offered on a first come, first served. So...if you arrive at Guadalupe Mountains in the morning...you're good to go for the rest of the day to start enjoying hiking. If you arrive in the late afternoon time, you can still set out on a hike, or just relax at the campsite for the remainder of the day. Btw, you can pay with a credit card for your campsite. It's not always the case at other places...but here there is a convenience. I liked how this Pine Springs Campground was surrounded by all the mountains and arid terrain. It's really scenic with Guadalupe Peak, El Capitan and Hunter Peak situated in the backdrop. Although I stayed here for only 1 evening, I happily would have remained longer had I been interested in seeing more sights. Ultimately I used 2 full days at Guadalupe Mountains and this 1 and only evening. Just relaxing at night back over the summertime with the sun setting...I really enjoyed and admired the very quiet and still setting. I felt like I was able to connect with nature. In all, it was a fulfilling overnight. I will mention a few sort of drawbacks to Pine Springs Campground. Nothing major...just a few items which sort of prevented me from giving this place 5 stars... The ground where I set my tent upon was so hard...it was borderline solid concrete. I had to use plenty of padding to make my rest comfortable. Basically, there was no grass here. There weren't showers either. Back at the trailhead were bathrooms with faucets though. It said there was no RV Dump Station here. The closest one was back in Carlsbad. Finally, due to the very dry conditions, no wood or charcoal fires were allowed. Only containerized camp stoves were permitted. Overall, these weren't the biggest deterrents...but they didn't make for the most efficient conditions. Overall, I still much appreciated my time staying here at Pine Springs Campground. For me it was the perfect way to not only end my first day at Guadalupe Mountains Park...but it set the precedent for getting started on the right note the following day when I walked over to the Trailhead section and began climbing epic Guadalupe Peak Trail to the "Top of Texas"!!

Here's Carlsbad…read moreCaverns completely exceeded my expectations. Pictures don't do it justice--the caverns are absolutely huge, and the rock formations are incredible. We decided to walk in through the natural entrance, and although it's a steep descent (over 800 feet), it was well worth it. We explored the entire cavern and took the elevator back up, which took us about 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The trails are paved, easy to follow, and very well maintained. Everything is beautifully lit, making it easy to appreciate all the amazing stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations along the way. The staff were friendly and helpful, the restrooms were clean, and I thought it was great that they even have kennels available if you're traveling with pets. There's also a small gift shop inside by the elevator, and once you're back up top, you'll find two more gift shops and a café. If you're visiting when it's offered, don't skip the evening bat flight program. It's such a unique experience and the perfect way to end your visit. I would absolutely recommend Carlsbad Caverns to anyone--it's one of those places you have to see in person.

Weekday timing paid off -- with school back in session, the place was blissfully quiet. Parking was…read morewide‑open, the kind of "pick any spot you want" situation that immediately sets the tone for a low‑stress visit. The highway approach is long and monotonous, but once you turn off US‑62 and slip past the tourist trap of White City, the park road starts winding and rising in a way that feels like you've crossed into a different world entirely. The semis, pump acks, and dust vanish, replaced by a surprisingly scenic climb to the visitor center. Inside, you're greeted by a large gift shop stocked with a mix of forgettable knick‑knacks -- the usual magnets, novelty trinkets, and "did anyone actually ask for this?" souvenirs -- alongside genuinely nice items like well‑made books, quality apparel, and thoughtful geology‑themed gifts. The museum‑side shop feels more curated and appropriate, with fewer gimmicks and more things you'd actually want to bring home. The descent is long, winding, and steep, but absolutely worth it if you're able -- the gradual transition from daylight to the cavern's cool, echoing darkness is one of the best parts of the experience. The caverns themselves were wonderfully empty -- not silent, but calm, with enough space to enjoy the formations without weaving through crowds. Most visitors kept their voices to a whisper, which made the atmosphere feel appropriately reverent. The only real disruption came from the audio‑tour devices: even from a distance, the narration carries sharply through the still air, and encountering groups using multiple units at once breaks the quiet in a way that's hard to ignore.

I hiked in from McKittrick Canyon (7.5 Miles) as opposed to from the Visitor Center (12 Miles)…read more Everyone tried to talk me into doing the opposite, but I am glad I did it this way. The climb up was steep and had a bunch of false summits, but once you get into the forrest you are almost there. Camp has eight pads set up for tents, and there are stones big enough to sit on. The cliffs with amazing views from the edge of the ridge are only about one hundred yards from camp. The camp is not set right on the cliff, and this is nice because it is just down on the other side of the ridge far enough to be blocked from the wind. Also, there are large trees which afford shelter and a place to hang a hammock. This place is well worth the workout. I went on a Saturday night at the end of March and there was only one other small group at camp.

Beautiful out in the Desert with Lake Brantley near…read moreoverlooks the lake, beautiful sunset, long drive on tho but if you go, visit the Desert Gardens nearby as well as Carlsbad Caverns!!!

A wonderful State Park, located on Brantley Lake! There are 47 camp sites with water and electric…read more They also have dispersed sites as well.

A beautiful waterfall, out in the middle of nowhere. It was about an hour from Carlsbad, & you may…read moreas well plan a half day trip there to make it worth your while It can get very busy, so you will have to explore the creek, & other areas, to find a good spot to sit & relax in the water No gas stations out there, or food of any sort. You are in the middle of nowhere lol service is very spotty, so come prepared. There are bathrooms though, & some shelters with tables if you plan on staying to eat & relax

Best part was the falls. Otherwise windy, unsteady terrain with mid views of a lot of brownread more

If you are going to Hueco Tanks to climb for the 1st time, start here, hire a guide or tag along on…read morea guided tour. Let them guide you through the process. A tour is the easiest method to get into the park. All the guides/tours I have hired have been nice, but this is the easiest method of getting a good guide. I have had nothing but good experiences on the tour groups. Just make sure you can climb at the level range of the tour. It is a business owned by climbers run by climbers. Everyone is nice and loves climbing. The climbing energy is infectious. Sometimes the facilities could be better and cleaner. The area seems to be getting better. There are flush toilets! The campground is the easiest one to get into. The National Park Campground is a plan ahead reservation system and can be trying. It is a bunch of climbers running amok, but it is not as bad it could be. The majority of the peeps are here to climb hard. If you are not into camping or a hostel environment El Paso has plenty of hotel/motel rooms. I didn't use the Rock Ranch to plan my first trip, but now I get all my guides/tours from here. See you climbing!

Best bet for climbers | Good vibes, cool facility $…read more This place is AWESOME. I wish I knew this place was open during the times I stayed in El Paso to climb at Hueco Tanks though. The time when I usually come to climb in the park is Veterans Day weekend, and that time frame is when they're just starting to open for the season. We went here to rent crash pads. $10/day for the regular 2 fold $15/day for the tri fold *the ones we rented were NEW!!!!! This place is in association with the American Alpine Club, so if you stay here you get a discount if you're a member. From what I saw, there are a couple rooms that have several bunk beds, a couple rooms with single beds, some rooms that have their own bathrooms, a shared bathroom down the hall, a common space area, a bar area, and a shared kitchen. The outside has some training equipment, too. It's just a place full of climbers staying to be close by to the park instead of 45 minutes away in El Paso, near the airport. There is also camping spots available and lots of parking spaces. We'll be back next year and hopefully if they are open we'll be staying here :)

Slant rhyme summary: draconian rules, beautiful views!…read more In the winter, this place is open 8am to 6pm. You can leave this campground anytime (insert boomer Hotel California Dad joke here), but you can't get back in. How do they accomplish this? The road into the campground is gated. The gate is locked on one side (driver's right) and the other side is open, BUT it has those one-way spikes like the rental car agencies have. This is brutal. We were here trying to do rock climbs in the Organs and we had to SPEED back into the campground to not miss the 6pm cutoff. It made it impossible to enjoy the lovely eateries and breweries in Las Cruces so...we chose not to sleep here for multiple nights and just leave our tent setup. Having said all that, this campground is immaculate. It's one of the nicest public campgrounds I've stayed at. Every site has a fire ring, a grill, a picnic table WITH a minipavillion, and a flat area to pitch a tent. To top it all off, it's only $7 a night and has amazing views of the Organ mountains! My guess is that this area has problems with rampant vandalism (many of the Organ mountain trailheads are also locked from 8am to 6pm) and is maybe understaffed, so this is their solution to the issues. If you go to bed early and are really good at cooking in a campground, this is the spot for you. If you're the type of person that likes big days in the mountains followed by hiking out by headlamp followed by crispy brews in town...look elsewhere.

This is a beautiful campground nestled in the Organ Mountains. We came on a weekend evening and…read morewere able to find an unoccupied tent site. This is the closest campground I found near White Sands; it was about a 40 minute drive. The stars were beautiful. Make sure to bring exactly $7 cash as you deposit it into the box to get a permit. There were picnic tables and grills for each campsite. We had a nearby garbage bin. The vault toilets were surprisingly very, very clean. The Pine Loop Trail was a lovely four-mile hike that starts right by the campground. It takes you up into the mountains, and it took us about two hours to complete. There were many false trails that weren't marked. It's rated as moderate, although I think it was more challenging.