National Parks of the Southwest

Texas is home to more than cowboy boots, authentic Mexican cuisine, and the Alamo. In fact, the state boasts one of the most surprising national parks in the country. From terrain covered in yuccas, bunchgrasses, and cactuses to the Rio Grande and its steep canyons, Big Bend National Park is spectacular and wild.

Established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef, the park contains more than 85 known caves, including Lechuguilla Cave—the nation's deepest limestone cave at 1,567 feet and third longest. From early spring through October, visitors can watch the evening flight of thousands of Mexican free-tail bats from the outdoor amphitheater at the cave's natural entrance.

This rugged land features varied plant and animal life and one of the finest examples of an ancient marine fossil reef on Earth. From the fall colors of McKittrick Canyon to the summer bloom of cactus flowers and the sheer canyons of the Guadalupe Mountains, the park has something from everyone to appreciate.

The Sonoran Desert is one of the hottest and driest regions in North America, yet in lushness and variety of life it surpasses all the other deserts on the continent. Featuring the giant saguaro cactus, the 91,446-acre park, situated on either side of Tucson, AZ, draws more than three-quarters of a million visitors per year.