An easy day trip from El Paso, Guadalupe Mountains National Park holds stunning canyons, gypsum dunes, clear night skies and high-reaching peaks. Guadalupe Peak is the highest in Texas, reaching 8,751 feet, and the 4.25-mile trek up the stony trail through pinyon pine and Douglas fir is world-class. The park protects the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef, along with plenty of living flora and fauna. Kit foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats and badgers are some of the rarer sightings.

Davis Mountains State Park is an oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert. Mexican pinyon, oak and juniper line the volcanic peaks and hills, which hit up to 8,000+ feet. Hiking and equestrian trails run through the park, connecting to Fort Davis National Historic Site. Try the 4.5-mile Skyline Drive Trail, watch for Montezuma quail at the “best little bird blind in Texas,” set up a tent or RV to catch the night skies or book a stay at the historic Indian Lodge with breakfast at the Black Bear Restaurant.

Thanks to the “huecos” (hollows) that capture rainwater in its low-lying mountains, Hueco Tanks State Park is more verdant than you'd expect. Even shrimp and toads can be found its pools. A sacred site to several Indigenous tribes, thousands of pictographs, some 8,000 years old, line the rock walls. Hike in the guided or self-guided areas, picnic and watch for birds, and—if you’re seeking even more height,— seek out one of the local guided climbs in this world-famous climbing sanctuary.

A mile and a half off I-20 lies a world you wouldn’t believe: a sea of sand dunes, the largest—and shortest—oak forest in the world and a habitat for jack rabbits and reptiles, javelinas and coyotes. There’s an equestrian area and 27 campsites, but most visitors get excited by the newest addition at Monahans Sandhills State Park: sandboarding. You can rent sand disks at the park headquarters and slide down the 50-foot dunes for a true West Texas adventure.

Rising high above El Paso—making it the largest urban state park in the country—Franklin Mountains State Park encompasses untouched canyons, peaks and wildflower meadows, all connected by hiking and biking trails. More than 100 miles, actually. There are climbing routes, too, like those in McKelligon Canyon and Sneed’s Cory. With only 19 campsites, the park is nice and quiet come nightfall. Hike up to 7,200 feet for sunrise, and you’ll have the best vantage point around.

Those looking for rugged adventure have found their destination: Big Bend Ranch State Park. With one paved road and primitive-only campsites, the park offers hiking and biking trails, pitch-black skies come nighttime and the opportunity to backpack far, far away from it all. It sits right next door to Big Bend National park, but with 238 miles of multi-use trails, 70 miles of unpaved roads and plenty of water for fishing and floating, you won’t run out of things to do right here.