National Parks in Texas
Texas has 2 national parks: Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park. None of them requires an entry reservation.
Fees and rules checked against NPS.gov · Updated October 6, 2026
Big Bend
Texas
Remote desert park where the Rio Grande carves deep canyons below the Chisos Mountains
$30 per car
Guadalupe Mountains
Texas
Texas's highest peaks rise from an ancient fossil reef above the Chihuahuan Desert
Free entry
Compare the parks
| Park | Entry | Reservation | Best time to go | How long to stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bend | $30 per car | Not required | November through April brings mild days and cool nights, with spring wildflowers and cactus blooms in March and April; summer is very hot along the river. | Plan at least three days to see the mountains, the desert and the river. |
| Guadalupe Mountains | Free entry | Not required | October and November bring fall color in McKittrick Canyon and mild hiking weather, and March through May is also pleasant, though windy. | One day for a big hike, two or three days to add McKittrick Canyon and Dog Canyon. |
Nearby parks in other states
- Carlsbad Caverns National ParkNew Mexico · about 29 miles as the crow flies
- White Sands National ParkNew Mexico · about 100 miles as the crow flies
- Saguaro National ParkArizona · about 347 miles as the crow flies
- Petrified Forest National ParkArizona · about 357 miles as the crow flies
- Great Sand Dunes National ParkColorado · about 405 miles as the crow flies
See the full list of U.S. national parks · Open the park map · Compare park passes