Be sure to check out the main pages for San Antonio, Big Bend NP, White Sands NP, Carlsbad Cavern NP and Hot Springs NP for more ideas for your Texas and New Mexico 2 Week Itinerary. Also, make sure to check out the Big Bend Top 5 Best Hikes page!
*Last updated July 26, 2024
Texas and New Mexico 2 Week Itinerary
Table of Contents (activities by day)
- Drive to Mephis, TN
- Hot Springs National Park
- Waco, Texas
- San Antonio Missions and The Alamo
- San Antonio Zoo
- Big Bend National Park
- Big Bend: Santa Elena Canyon
- Big Bend: Chisos Mountains
- Big Bend: Boquillas del Carmen
- Big Bend Ranch State Park
- White Sands National Park
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Drive to Springfield, MO
- Drive Home to Cincinnati, OH
- Nearby
Day 1 – Drive to Memphis, TN
Drive from Cincinnati, OH to Memphis, TN.
Day 2 – Hot Springs National Park
Drive to Waco, TX. Stop in Hot Springs National Park for a couple of hours detour. I know that a lot of people rate Hot Springs as their “least favorite national park”. However, if you go in knowing that it isn’t a outdoors-type national park, it is worth stopping to see the history of the hot springs.
Day 3 – Waco, Texas
Visit the Dr. Pepper Museum (or nearby Chip and Joanna’s Magnoila Market). Lunch in Gruene. Drive to San Antonio. We stayed at the San Antonio KOA, which is located close to the Alamo.
Dr. Pepper lovers may want to be sure to visit, but for otherwise you might be a little underwhelmed. Fixer Upper fans may want to visit Chip and Joanna Gaines at Magnolia.
Day 4 – San Antonio Missions and the Alamo
Visit the San Antonio missions in the morning (about 3 hours to visit all of them). Have lunch at Schilo’s (the oldest restaurant in San Antonio). Afternoon at The Alamo (reservations required). Riverwalk and Go Rio boat tour.
Day 5 – San Antonio Zoo
We spent the day at the San Antonio Zoo, but you there are a number of activities you could do in and around San Antonio (like the Doseum or the Natural Bridge Caverns).
Day 6 – Big Bend National Park
Drive to Big Bend National Park and set up camp. We stayed at the Rio Grande Village Campground (Chisos Basin campground was already full).
Day 7 – Big Bend: Santa Elena Canyon
Drive Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and hike Santa Elena Canyon. Hike Grapevine Hills Trail (aka Balanced Rock, but be aware that the road is unpaved and the NPS recommends 4 wheel drive / high clearance).
Day 8 – Big Bend: Chisos Mountains
Drive to the Fossil Discovery Exhibit and visit the Panther Junction Visitor Center. Hike Window View Trail. Hike the Lost Mine Trail in the afternoon. You have to get there very early around 6-7am (we were there in January so the weather was not overly hot).
Day 9 – Big Bend: Boquillas del Carmen
Hike Hot Springs Canyon Trail (bring your swimsuit). Border crossing by row boat to Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico (passport or passport card required, only on select days so double check the NPS website). In late afternoon, we went back to the Hot Springs Trail again, but this would be a good spot to hike the Boquillas Canyon Trail.
Day 10 – Big Bend Ranch State Park
Drive 170 through Big Bend Ranch State Park from Lajitas to Presidio for beautiful views of the Rio Grande, mountains and canyons. We stopped for a hike at Closed Canyon Trail (be aware you need cash for a $5 per adult fee). Drive to Las Cruces, NM.
Day 11 – White Sands National Park
Visit White Sands National Park and rent a sled from the visitor center store to sled on the sand dunes. Drive to Carlsbad, NM.
Day 12 – Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Drive to Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a short hike (or stay longer if you have time). Drive to Lubbock, TX.
Day 13 – Drive Home to Springfield, MO
Drive to Springfield, MO.
Day 14 – Drive Home to Cincinnati, OH
Drive to Cincinnati, OH.
Nearby
Be sure to check out the main pages for San Antonio, Big Bend NP, White Sands NP, Carlsbad Cavern NP and Hot Springs NP. Also, check out the Big Bend Top 5 best hikes!