# West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend

> 5-day road trip of about 906 km (563 mi) with 8 stops, from Las Cruces to Chisos Basin Campground. About 10 h 03 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/west-texas/

**At a glance:** 5-day road trip of about 906 km (563 mi) with 8 stops, from Las Cruces to Chisos Basin Campground. About 10 h 03 min of driving in total. White gypsum dunes, a famous bat cave, a fake boutique and one of the emptiest parks in the country.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 906 km (563 mi) |
| Driving | 10 h 03 min |
| Suggested days | 5 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Las Cruces → Chisos Basin Campground |
| States | NM, TX |
| Updated | April 11, 2026 |

## Route description

From Las Cruces, US-70 crosses the San Andres Mountains to White Sands National Park, where the gypsum dunes stay cool underfoot and you can buy a sled at the visitor center. The highway passes the White Sands Missile Range and is occasionally closed for short periods during tests. Beyond Alamogordo, the route climbs through the Sacramento Mountains and then descends onto the plains around Roswell.

In Roswell, the International UFO Museum covers the 1947 incident with newspaper clippings and dioramas, and even the streetlights are shaped like alien heads. US-285 then runs south to Carlsbad, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park lies a short drive beyond. Walk down the natural entrance into the Big Room, one of the largest cave chambers in North America, and in summer stay for the evening bat flight; timed-entry reservations are usually needed.

From the caverns, US-62/180 crosses into Texas past Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and TX-54 runs south through empty ranch country to Van Horn and US-90. Prada Marfa, a sculpture of a luxury boutique whose door never opens, stands alone beside US-90 near Valentine. Marfa itself is a small ranching town known for its art galleries and big open skies.

From Marfa, follow US-90 to Alpine and TX-118 south into Big Bend National Park, where desert, mountains and the Rio Grande meet. Santa Elena Canyon is the easiest walk into the gorge, and Chisos Basin Campground looks out on the Window at sunset, but the road into the basin is steep and trailers over 20 feet are not recommended. Fill the tank and stock up in Alpine, since services are sparse, and plan the trip for the cooler months from fall to spring.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Las Cruces** (NM)
2. **White Sands National Park** (Alamogordo, NM): Wave-like dunes of gypsum that stay cool underfoot. Buy a sled at the visitor center.
3. **International UFO Museum** (Roswell, NM): Newspaper clippings, dioramas and a flying-saucer stage explain the 1947 incident. Even the streetlights are shaped like alien heads.
4. **Carlsbad Caverns National Park** (Carlsbad, NM): Walk down the natural entrance into the Big Room, one of the largest cave chambers in North America. Bats fly out at dusk in summer.
5. **Prada Marfa** (Valentine, TX): A permanent sculpture of a luxury boutique standing alone beside US-90. The door never opens.
6. **Marfa** (TX)
7. **Big Bend National Park** (Big Bend, TX): Desert, mountains and the Rio Grande in one remote park. Santa Elena Canyon is the easiest walk into the gorge.
8. **Chisos Basin Campground** (Big Bend, TX): A mountain bowl with a view of the Window at sunset. Trailers over 20 feet are not recommended on the road in.

## FAQs

**How long is West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend?**
5-day road trip of about 906 km (563 mi) with 8 stops, from Las Cruces to Chisos Basin Campground. About 10 h 03 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend?**
We suggest 5 days: about 10 h 03 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend start and end?**
It starts in Las Cruces and ends in Chisos Basin Campground.

**Which states does West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend pass through?**
New Mexico and Texas.