Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The United States currently has 63 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service. I’m on a mission to see as many of them as I can. I’ve been to 28 so far. Following is a list of where I’ve been in chronological order. To learn more about my journey, please visit darkskyoverland.com.

Did you know Big Bend National Park is the #4 rated place in the world to see the stars? This park is so stunning that on clear nights you can see the entire milky way with almost no light pollution. Recently, I checked stargazing off my bucket list and traveled between El Paso and Big Bend on a 5 hour winding road trip. On the way, I discovered all kinds of hidden gems and places worth visiting. In this guide you will find my favorite stops along the west Texas border. What's Included: • 2 Different Routes between El Paso & Big Bend National Park Recommendations In: • El Paso • Fort Davis • Marfa • Terlingua • and every stop in between + potential additional stops farther afield This trip was unforgettable for me and I hope it's something I can help others experience too. Most of West Texas is very rural, so I made sure to include the best advice I have for other people (like me) that are from large urban cities and other climate zones. PS- I visited during the heat wave of late summer 2023, I don't recommend. Consider visiting when it is cooler - it was 115 degrees when I was in town.

Welcome to my completely unorganized but oh-so-helpful map of New Mexico! An absolute smorgasbord of my own travels and research, suggestions from friends and strangers, and many treasures found along the way, this is where I compile all things NM for my future trips and yours. Things I particularly love that you’ll find a lot of: ☕️ Coffee shops & bakeries 🌮 Local cuisine 🏛️ Museums of all kinds 🌳 Gardens & parks 🛏️ Boutique hotels 🍕 Small regional chains with good reputations All my guides in this category are $5 per 100 places included, but since I add to these constantly, you can lock down the lowest price today and gain a lifetime access!