If you’re looking for an adventurous weekend, I’d like to pitch a couple National Parks that may not be on your radar, but are easily doable in two days! While they may technically be in different states, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains are only 37 miles apart, and represent a battle of extremes: Carlsbad is 750 feet below the surface, and the peak of Guadalupe is the highest point in Texas. Together, they make for an incredible weekend of mind-blowing adventure!
Both these parks are truly in the middle of nowhere, with El Paso being a two hour drive from the area. El Paso International Airport (ELP) is serviced by all major carriers, and is a really easy airport to get in and out of. You’ll need to rent a car once you’re there, but don’t worry about anything with 4WD.
This is mostly based on Guadalupe Mountains - the cave at Carlsbad stays the same temperature year round! I’d definitely recommend Spring or early Fall for some beautiful temperatures. If you go in March or April, you should be around for wildflower season in Texas, and the bluebonnets are absolutely gorgeous.
I’m going to plan this on a Friday-Sunday timeline, assuming a 7pm flight out on Day 3, and arrival in the evening on Day 1.
Upon arrival, let’s hang out in El Paso! Located right on the border of Mexico (and New Mexico, for that matter), El Paso is a large city with a really rich and beautiful culture, and of course, incredible Tex Mex.
If you’ve got the time, visit Casa de Azucar, an amazing feat of art and architecture that took 24 years to build! If you’re lucky, you might catch Rufino on his patio to answer any questions about the place!
Before you leave, make sure to hit up a grocery store for some snacks, and maybe dry breakfast goods, before we head out the next morning.
Leaving from El Paso, you’ve got about a two hour drive to Carlsbad Caverns.
I don’t know why I didn’t have expectations going into Carlsbad Caverns for the first time, but truly, this experience was beyond anything I could’ve dreamed of. The trip down and around the cave is inspiring. Currently, reservations are required for entrance to the cave, and I’d recommend getting them at least two weeks in advance. Use the NPS website to see if that’s changed by the time you’re visiting!
There are two options to get into the cave: the elevator and the hike. The hike takes about an hour, and the elevator takes about 30 seconds. The hike down really isn’t difficult, so if you’ve got the time, do it!
Either way, you end up 754 feet below the surface, right at the widening of this massive cave. The Great Hall route is the longest self-guided route, and winds you as far into the caves as you can go without a guide. Walking at a leisurely pace, it takes about 90 minutes to make the loop, and has so many incredible views to offer.
If they’re available and you have the time, take one of the ranger guided tours deeper into the caves. You will absolutely not be disappointed!
Depending on the time of year you visit, at night, you can watch the mass exodus of bats out of the cave! It’s free, with no reservations required. If this is when you’re visiting, this is an absolute must do. Memorial Day is when they officially start the program every year, but in the few weekends prior, there’s a chance the bats will have already returned from their migration south!
Alright, so the closest place to stay for Carlsbad Caverns is called White’s City. To call this a town would be...an overstatement. There’s a motel, a gift shop, a restaurant, and that’s it. But, it’s only about a 30 minute drive from the entrance to Guadalupe, and is literally at the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns. If you’d like to make the drive to Carlsbad instead, it’s about another 30 minutes, and you won’t find too much more, save a few extra restaurants and a couple different places to sleep.
I’d recommend just staying at the White’s City Cavern Inn. It’s inexpensive, and the rooms are surprisingly nice! The restaurant in town is better than the 3 star review it has on Google, but not that much better? I guess what I’m trying to say is set your expectations correctly, or buy enough groceries in El Paso to have something for dinner and breakfast the next day.
I’ve lived in Texas over 10 years, and I had no idea that Guadalupe Mountains existed, or that it’s home to the highest point in the state! But, as soon as we came within eyeshot of Guadalupe Peak, my mouth dropped. The area is just so beautiful, and really takes you by surprise.
In planning to catch your flight, just know you’ve got about an hour and 45 minute drive from the entrance of the park to El Paso Airport. If you’re up for it, I’d really recommend doing the Guadalupe Peak Highpoint Trail! It’s about 8 and a half miles and probably takes 6 hours to complete. But that’s what you’re here for, right?? At the end, you’ll have absolutely incredible views of the Guadalupe Mountain Valley, and be standing at the highest point in Texas!
If you’re in for something a little lower key, Devil’s Trail is about 3.5 miles of pretty straightforward hike. If you go in Spring, the fields will be full of Texas wildflowers, and be an amazing little trek!
I know that this may not be top of your radar for a weekend trip, but I guarantee you’ll leave this experience with tons of pictures and experiences that will have your friends in awe, especially if you’re traveling with a tight budget. I had been really undersold on this area, and can’t believe it took me a decade of living in Texas to make the trip out!
