Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks

With the beginning of the year, I find myself going through my wish-list items, taking inventory of which of those I reached in 2026, and one of the most enriching ones was a summer vacation in the American southwest. In August, 2025, a friend and I set out on a road trip to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where I attained two of my national park wish list items and took in so many beautiful views.

Carlsbad Cavern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located about 18 miles southwest of the city of Carlsbad in the Guadalupe Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. Visitors can hike through Carlsbad Cavern or take an elevator from the visitors center to a lower part. We opted to hike from the natural entrance down into the cavern and then ride the elevator back up, which seemed to be a popular gameplan for visitors. The long walk through the cavern was simply spectacular, with grand cathedral-esque rooms as well as small, mysterious alcoves. After our hike, we were equally enthralled by the Carlsbad bat flight at sunset, an experience which I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. There’s also a nearby trail in the Chihuahuan Desert to explore while you’re waiting for the bat flight.

Just a half-hour drive from Carlsbad Caverns is Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, with numerous trails winding through the Guadalupe Mountains to choose from. One of the highlights is Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. In our hike we saw cute little cacti and succulents dotting the mountains, pretty wildflowers, and our first sighting of an adorable ringtail cat.

Sometimes I think I’m very silly for making a wish-list, but other times like now, thinking back on the happy times I had hiking and chatting with my friend while discovering new places, and when I realize that I probably would have forgotten to make an effort to visit places like these were they not written as a reminder for me, I’m glad I have a list in place.