Visit 2 National Parks On Just One Tank Of Gas On This Incredible Texas Road Trip
By Katie Lawrence|Published May 20, 2022
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Nobody likes an unnecessary trip to the gas station. That’s why we created this fuel-efficient road trip to two national parks in the West Texas desert! Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains are magical places you can go on one tank of gas in Texas. You can enjoy an unforgettable vacation without breaking the bank, and the whole family is sure to have a blast.
If you’re planning a visit to these two incredible national parks, there’s no better time to visit than during National Park Week. Learn all about this celebration of America’s great outdoors — including fee-free days throughout the year!
Way out in the West Texas desert, Big Bend National Park is a magical place with some of the darkest night skies on earth. It's one of the least-visited national parks in the country, and while we can't fathom why, we certainly aren't mad about the lack of crowds.
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This vast, rugged landscape is best explored by hiking, and there are over 150 miles of trails to embark on.
From the challenging Emory Peak Trail that gains over 2,500 feet of elevation to the easy (and accessible) Window View Trail leading to one of the park's most iconic vistas, there's a hike for everyone here.
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If you prefer enjoying the sights from the comfort of your own vehicle, you'll be pleased to learn that more than 100 miles of paved roads wind through the park.
With the extra time afforded by staying overnight, you can set off on a multi-day backpacking adventure or rafting trip on the mighty Rio Grande. Plus, you'll get to see the famous West Texas dark skies in all their shimmering glory.
These mystical white gypsum sand dunes, formed by wind erosion of nearby salt flats, rise up to 100 feet from the desert floor. Scrambling up the dunes is so much fun!
Would you take this fuel-efficient road trip? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more places you can go on one tank of gas in Texas.
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