Texas and New Mexico Bundle 4 day Self Guided National Park Tours

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Big Bend National Park
20 stops
1
Sam Nail Ranch
In 1916, Sam Nail built a two-room house here, and together with his wife Nena, raised livestock, planted pecan, walnut, and fig trees, and raised a family. The trail from the road is really easy, about a half-mile round trip, and it takes you to what’s left of these orchards, and of the house.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Sotol Vista
This incredible view just off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive takes in a 360-degree view of much of the western half of the park, including Santa Elena Canyon out in the distance.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Mule Ears Viewpoint
A parking lot provides an easy view of the unusual Mul Ears mountain, a volanic rock formation that looks like a pair of mule ears.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Tuff Canyon Overlook
Three overlooks offer a glimpse into this small canyon. A trail from the southern parking lot descends into the canyon. The hike is less than a mile round trip and takes about an hour. At the time of writing, this stop was temporarily indefinitely after some rock slides.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Castolon
Explore the remnants of this early 20th-century community near the U.S./Mexico border. Buildings like the Alvino House and La Harmonia store interpret what life was like for the multicultural community that lived here 100 years ago. While you're here, check out the visitor center to learn more about the area, and stock up on snacks and supplies at the store.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Santa Elena Canyon Overlook
This easily accessible viewpoint offers a stunning view of Santa Elena Canyon's mouth.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
7
Santa Elena Canyon
Enjoy the mouth of the imposing Santa Elena Canyon, with walls 1500 feet high, just a few dozen steps away from the parking lot. There is a trail into the canyon, but reaching the trailhead requires a water crossing that may not be advisable in high water or heavy mud. If you do reach the trail on the other side, it's a 1.6-mile round trip and considered easy, aside from a couple of places with steps.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Dorgan Sublett Trail
This easy, 1-mile round trip hike takes you to the remnants of two pioneer homes belonging to the Dorgan and Sublett families. The Dorgan family's adobe house provides an interesting playground for photographers, with a stunning background vista of rock formations and the Chisos Mountains.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Homer Wilson Ranch
A pulloff along the scenic drive provides access to a small observation deck to see the old Homer Wilson Ranch, what's left of a rancher's home from the early to mid-20th century. You can see the house from the observation deck, or take a 1-mile round trip hike to the house. The trail takes about 30 minutes and is considered easy, though it crosses two drainages that may flood.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
Chisos Mountains
You could easily spend the day up in Chisos Basin, where the higher altitude means consistently cooler temperatures than the rest of the park. Start at the visitor center for a trail map, or the store to gear up on snacks and supplies. Grab a meal at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Or take any of the several hiking trails. Everyone ought to take the 0.3-mile Window View Trail, a paved walkway that leads to a view of "The Window" in the Chisos Mountains. The 5-mile round trip, moderately difficult Lost Mine Trail is also popular.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
Panther Junction Visitor Center
This is the primary visitor center in the park. Watch the park video, browse the gift shop, or check out the displays on the area's geography and ecosystems. You can also stroll through a garden of local plant life outside near the parking lot.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Fossil Discovery Exhibit
This unique outdoor museum showcases the diverse fossil collection that has been discovered in Big Bend. Browse the real and replicated fossils that span over 65 million years of history.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
13
Dugout Wells
This oasis was once home to a school for the area's children. Today, you can take the half-mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail loop that explores the oasis as well as the surrounding desert plant life. It's a bumpy dirt road off the park road to reach Dugout Wells.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Hot Springs Trailhead
Along the Rio Grande is what remains of a hot springs resort from the early 20th century. The hot springs are still there, along with the foundations of the bathhouse, accessible about a half mile down the trail. There are also some buildings left from the community, creating a small historic district. Additionally, along the trail is a spot with some old pictographs. The historic district, and trailhead, are accessible down a two-mile gravel road.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
15
Rio Grande Overlook
This overlook stands above the Rio Grande Village area, with the greenery surrounding the river in plain sight.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Rio Grande Village Visitor Center
Learn about the Rio Grande at this visitor center just a quarter mile from the campground. You can also get information about the Boquillas Crossing and the area's trails from a park ranger.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Located in the back of the Rio Grande Village campground, this 0.75-mile nature trail starts with a series of boardwalks through wetlands and then leads to the Rio Grande itself. This is an easy trail and a good one for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
18
Boquillas Crossing
This official port of entry allows you to legally cross the Rio Grande and enter Mexico to visit the remote town of Boquillas del Carmen. There, you can experience a small sample of Mexican culture, eat a meal, and do a little souvenir shopping. Make sure to bring your passport!
2 hours • Admission ticket free
19
Boquillas Canyon Overlook
Get a sneak preview of the Boquillas Canyon from this overlook that stands right over the Rio Grande. You can also look into Mexico and catch a glimpse of the town of Boquillas del Carmen.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
20
Boquillas Canyon
Hike into Boquillas Canyon, with walls over 1300 feet tall, and stand on the border between the United States and Mexico. The 1.5-mile round-trip trail is easy, save for the small hill at the very beginning. The trail leads into the canyon, with the Rio Grande in the middle, the United States on one side, and Mexico on the other.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
White Sands National Park
6 stops
21
White Sands
The visitor center is part of the White Sands Historic District, a group of adobe buildings constructed during the Great Depression that adheres to the Pueblo Revival style. At the visitor center, you can visit the small museum, watch the park film, browse through two gift shops, and purchase sleds if you'd like to try sledding on the sand dunes.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
22
Playa Trail
This short and very easy trail takes you to a dried lakebed or a playa. Informational panels interpret what the playa looks like, and what kinds of animals it attracts, throughout the seasons. The trail is about a half-mile round trip and flat.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
23
Dune Life Nature Trailhead
This one-mile loop takes about an hour and goes up and down the dunes through the interdunal area, or the transition zone between the desert scrubland and the sand dunes. Because of a few steep climbs and the general difficulty of hiking through sand, this hike is rated as moderate. But the reward is walking through a unique ecosystem.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
24
Interdune Boardwalk
This is a must-stop for everyone. The Interdune Boardwalk is an ADA-accessible elevated path through the interdunal area. If you're not able to try the Dune Life Nature Trail, this one's a great alternative. A couple of covered seating areas offer shade on this half-mile round-trip walk.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
25
Backcountry Camping Trailhead
White Sands features a backcountry camping area, with remote campsites out among the dunes. However, the trail to the campsites is open to anyone. It's a two-mile loop and rated moderate because of the difficulty of hiking up and down sand dunes. However, this trail is a good alternative if you want to experience being out in the dunes without attempting the more difficult Alkali Flat trail.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
26
Alkali Flat Trail
Alkali Flat is the dried lakebed of the ancient Lake Otero, where the white sands are formed. To reach the edge of the flat, hike this five-mile round-trip hike through the sand dunes. Because of the length, and the continued challenge of hiking through sand, this is rated as a difficult hike.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
6 stops
27
El Capitan Viewpoint
This picnic area right off Route 62 provides a stellar view of El Capitan, a prominent peak in the Guadalupe Mountains standing just over 8,000 feet tall.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
28
Pine Springs Visitor Center
This small visitor center includes exhibits on the park's geological and natural features. There's also a small gift shop. This is where you'll need to pay your park fee.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
29
Pine Springs Trailhead
One of the primary trailheads in the park, Pine Springs is the starting point for several trails. The two most popular are the trails to Guadalupe Peak, and Devil's Hall. Guadalupe Peak is the highest mountain in Texas. The hike to the summit is 8.4 miles round trip, with 3,000 feet of elevation change, and is considered difficult. Devil's Hall is about 4 miles round trip and is moderate to difficult. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for either trail.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
30
Pinery Butterfield Stage Station Ruins
What remains of an overland mail route station called the Pinery sits at the foot of the Guadalupe Mountains. Mail used to cross the country by carriage, stopping at stations like this for a new driver and a fresh team of horses.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
31
Frijoles Canyon
Explore a historic homestead at the Frijole Ranch. The farmhouse has been converted into a small museum displaying artifacts from the area's human history. You can also walk beyond the ranch to reach the Smith Spring Loop Trail, which heads a small ways into the mountain forest to a spring. The whole trail is 2.3 miles round trip and is considered moderate. You can also just stop at the Manzanita Spring, which is only 0.5 miles round trip.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
32
McKittrick Canyon
McKittrick Canyon is an easier alternative to hike into the mountains than the hikes at the Pine Springs trailhead. There are a few hiking choices here, but the most recommended is the hike to Pratt Cabin. The hike is 4.8 miles round trip and is considered moderately difficult, mainly for the length. This area is known for colorful trees during the autumn. Next to the trailhead is a small visitor center that's intermittenly staffed.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3 stops
33
Walnut Canyon Nature Trail
This little trail is just a few hundred feet long, but you can explore a small patch of Chihuahuan Desert, with some possible shade provided by the cliffs of Walnut Canyon. Interpretive signs identify plant life found along the trail and throughout the park.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
34
Walnut Canyon Nature Trail
An easy, paved trail less than half a mile round trip leads to a vista point overlooking Walnut Canyon. Not much of a hike, but a decent view.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
35
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center
Here's where you'll pay for your entrance to the park, as well as purchase any additional tours you might want to do. You can also explore the exhibits, get a bite to eat in the cafeteria (open 8am-4pm), and do your souvenir shopping in the gift shop. Lastly, this is also where you access the cave, either using the elevator or the back door for the trail to the natural entrance.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
• Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.

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