Guadalupe Mountains, near El Paso, is home to the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak (8,749 feet). The undeveloped large park boasts more than 80 miles of hiking trails. Hiking is the best way to experience McKittrick Canyon and observe the diverse variety plants and look for wildlife. This is the place to go for fall foliage in Texas. Backcountry camping is popular. Two campgrounds, both over 5,800 feet elevation, offer simple campsites featuring water, table, flush toilets. Guadalupe Mountains has natural areas for the camper to explore. Star gazing, bird watching and looking for javalinas, jack rabbits or mountain lions are popular activities.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
400 Pine Canyon Road
Salt Flat, TX 79847-9400
915-828-3251
nps.gov/archive/gumo/
Camp in Palo Duro, is called "the Grand Canyon of Texas" because it is a one-of-a-kind setting. You can car camp in six campgrounds on the floor of Palo Duro which have flush toilets, hot showers, water and full hook-ups. The park has unusual geological formations. Rent a horse for a trail ride or bring a mountain bike to see Castle Peak and the Lighthouse up close. Wade in the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River or swim in the park swimming pool. Enjoy the sunset behind the amphitheater stage of "Texas," a summertime outdoor musical history performance.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
11450 Park Road
Canyon, TX 79015
806-488-2227
tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/palo_duro/
Colorado Bend is an attractive camping destination for families with children due to its size and variety of biomes (community of plants and animals). It is compact enough to allow older children the freedom to explore on their own. Plants and land vary, presenting a wooded stream setting, waterfall, cave, bluff and riverside beach. Primitive campsites have tables and fire rings but no hook-ups. Traverse the hiking and mountain biking trails or reserve a spot on the cave tour. You can swim, fish or skip rocks in this secluded section of the Colorado River. You can even sample backcountry camping here by taking a 1 mile hike to the backcountry campsite.
Colorado Bend State Park
Box 118
Bend, TX 76824
325-628-3240
tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/colorado_bend/
A small, scenic East Texas forest is named after legendary Davy Crockett who fought and died at the Alamo. Swim, fish or boat in the pond. Pick from 76 campsites with tables and grills. Some sites have hook-ups. The Ratcliff Lake campground has flush toilets and hot showers, unusual features for a national forest. Hike or trail ride. Piney Creek has horse campsites and chemical toilets. This is a prime example of Texas forest camping at its best.
Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 State Highway 7
East Kennard, TX 75847
936-655-2299
fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/davy_crockett/davycrockett_gen_info.shtml National Park Service
