Desert

One of the most spectacular and remote national parks in America where the Chisos Mountains rise dramatically from the Chihuahuan Desert and the Rio Grande carves deep canyons along the Mexican border. The Window Trail is the signature family hike leading to a pour-off with desert basin views that kids never forget. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail walks right into a 1,500-foot limestone canyon with the river echoing off the walls. The night sky here is among the darkest in North America and the stargazing alone is worth the drive.

The largest state park in Texas at over 300,000 acres of raw Chihuahuan Desert backcountry along the Rio Grande. This is genuine wilderness and best suited for families with older adventurous kids who are ready for rugged terrain and remote conditions. The scenic River Road drive between Lajitas and Presidio is one of the most dramatic drives in Texas with desert canyons and the Rio Grande visible below.

The largest urban park in the nation at over 37,000 acres encompassing an entire Chihuahuan Desert mountain range within El Paso city limits. The Wyler Aerial Tramway carries families to the top of Ranger Peak for panoramic views of two countries. Over 100 miles of trails offer everything from easy desert walks to challenging mountain summit routes. The Aztec Caves Trail leads to two small caves that kids find thrilling to explore.

A world-renowned bouldering destination with thousands of rock climbing problems on massive syenite rock formations that also contain over 3,000 ancient pictographs. Access is limited to protect the rock art which means reservations are required but the experience feels exclusive and special. Guided tours of the pictograph areas teach kids about the people who lived here thousands of years ago. Even non-climbers enjoy scrambling through the natural rock basins called huecos.

Massive sand dunes up to 70 feet tall where kids can rent sand discs at the park headquarters and go dune surfing all day long. The experience feels more like visiting a beach without the ocean and kids of all ages lose themselves in the simple joy of climbing and sliding down the dunes. The Dunagan Visitor Center has exhibits about the unique ecology of this sand dune system. Sunset visits are especially magical as the light turns the sand golden.