We went another West Texas (and Eastern NM) trip over spring break this year. We had been to Big Bend three years ago, and decided to do the more northern parks and mountains this time. FYI, we glamp not camp. We do typically picnic in the park or somewhere every day. My daughter still does the Junior Ranger program and it keeps her really engaged when we visit a park. She was also able to do the program at the Davis Mountains State Park.

We started off in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We drove to Carlsbad, NM the first night, and got up early for our 8:30 am park entrance reservation. I am glad we did this. (We did have a ranger led tour of King's Palace, but it was DOGE'd) The hike down into the cave system is 750 feet of decline. It was cool to hike down so your eyes could adjust and see the change. The loop in the Big Room is awesome. All in all, it's about a 2.5 mile hike with the decline and the loop. Then we took the elevator up. When we got up, the Visitor's Center was completely full with a line. I'm glad we did the 8:30 reservation.

Cavern entrance:



It is hard to get good pics with the lighting:




There are also a few short hikes on the road into the park with some box canyons:



Afterwards we moved to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and stayed in Van Horn for three nights. We decided to stay in Van Horn because it is about an hour drive each way. And it is a beautiful drive each morning.



The first day we hiked in McKlittick Canyon up to The Notch, or almost. (I got a little dizzy at the end when I looked down!) This canyon has a running stream, Gray Oaks, Pinon Pines, Juniper and Maple trees. Not at all what you would expect in West Texas! The hike is easy to The Grotto, then straight up from there to the Notch. About a 10 mile round trip.




Grotto:



The next day we hiked in Pine Springs to Devil's Hall. I am NOT in shape to summit Guadalupe Peak. Some people did on the Monday we were there, but Tuesday was windy and I think the summit hikers had trouble. We almost made Devil's Hall. The last mile is a rock scramble. And I just don't know how to climb over this wall:



But it is beautiful! About a 6 mile round trip if you include the Pine Springs Loop trail.

One more from El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak (highest in Texas):



The next day was very windy and hot/cold. But we did Balmorhea anyway. My daughter took a swim.



The we moved onto the Davis Mountains. We stayed in Fort Davis. The first day we did Fort Davis National Historic Site. The second day we drove on the loop, hiked at Madera Canyon at the Davis Mountains Preserve and had a picnic at the roadside park there. Then we toured the McDonald Observatory We stopped at the Davis Mountains State Park and did the interpretative center and Skyline Drive, but didn't hike there. We just didn't have the time. Later that night, after getting cleaned up, we had another picnic at a roadside park before the Star Party. We had some clouds on the night of our Star Party, but they were breaking and we got to see most of everything. It was the night of the eclipse, so the Moon was really bright.

Loop Drive around Davis Mountains:



First Telescope at the Observatory:



Madera Canyon Loop Trail:



Overlook where we had our picnic before the Star Party, just outside the observatory:



The next day the Davis Mountains Preserve had one of their rare open days. A real treat! We hiked up to Lost Spring at the base of Mt. Livermore (Highest in the Davis Mountains) It was really windy that day also, and they were not recommending summiting. No worries from us.

Trail to Mt. Livermore and summit:




This property is absolutely stunning! I highly recommend going if you find one of their open weekends to do so.

The next day we drove home.

Here are the places we stayed:
Carlsbad, NM The Trinity Hotel I highly recommend. It is an old bank and they have an Italian restaurant. They also do wine tastings. Would defiantly go back!

Van Horn, TX The Hotel El Capitan. Very nice hotel in the same vein as The Gage (Marathon) and Paisano (Marfa). Huge rooms and a great restaurant.

Fort Davis, TX Hotel Limpia This place is an overpriced dump. I cannot stress how disappointed we were with it. It was the most expensive stay of the trip. No need to go into detail here, but pass on this place for lodging. However, their restaurant is really good and a great place to eat. Next time we are in Fort Davis, I hope that Indian Lodge in the park is open. It is not open right now.

One more pic for all you Radney Foster fans!

My dad school was superintendent in Van Horn and Balmorhea which made him superintendent over the kids of staff in Guadalupe Mountain NP. Good times.

Glad you stayed at El Capitan. Great place to stay and eat for anyone going that direction.

Thanks for the pictures.

Heck of a trip, good report

Thanks to both of yall for the kind words.

Nice trip! You hit all the highlights I would have recommended.


If you stay at Ft Davis again, check out the Stone Village Tourist Camp for rooms. They also have a good little store there.

We actually ate breakfast there most mornings. It's where the old men go to drink coffee and play dominoes.

I'm still really disappointed the Drug Store in Ft. Davis has closed. I noticed it and The Harvard House ( both owned by same people) are for sale.

But since the soda fountain, among other things, was removed from the Drug Store I don't think it will ever be the same again.

We're heading that way next week. I just can't imagine Ft. Davis without the drugstore.

Putting nostalgia aside, losing the Drug Store reduced their eating places by 20%.

I may barely remember the drug store as a kid. Gosh, that would have been about 1982 or '83 when I went out there as a kid.

We saw the signs for it, and also the For Sale sign.