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Southwest National Parks road trip - Part 1

Big Bend National Park
What to do: When thinking about the Southwest, Texas often feels like a separate place, but Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas has beautiful trails that can’t be beaten. Take to the Rio Grande by boat, raft, or kayak to get personal with the sweeping sights and enjoy the pleasant weather year-round. 
Campsite options: Try Rio Grande Village RV Campground for a site with full hookups and a convenient camp store.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
What to do: Beneath the desert of New Mexico lies the truest beauty of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Once a part of a huge underwater reef, now the park sports more than 100 caves (not all of which are open to the public) full of natural limestone features. You can access this gigantic underground room via the natural trail’s steep decline or via an elevator.
Campsite options: Carlsbad RV Park and Campground is the place to stay nearby with full hookups. If you’re just stopping over for the night, Chosa Campground is a big flat space. There are no amenities but it’s free to camp. 
White Sands National Park
What to do: Did someone say “white sand?” That’s right — the White Sands National Park is full of magnificent white sand dunes. And you can experience this sight first-hand through dune rides, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and more. 
Campsite options: Though primitive sites are located around the park, there are no designated campgrounds for RVs within the park. However there are more than a few nearby campgrounds.
Mesa Verde National Park
What to do: Mesa Verde, located in the far southwest of Colorado, is dedicated to preserving the over 700-year-old dwellings of the Pueblo people. There are more than 600 cliff dwellings, including the largest and most well-known Cliff Palace.
Campsite options: There are several excellent RV campgrounds nearby. Mesa Verde RV Resort has two hot tubs, a heated pool, and a convenience store on-site.
Canyonlands National Park
What to do: Canyonlands is every outdoor lover’s playground. From hiking to horseback riding to biking through the terrain, there are endless opportunities to take in the sights of this stunning park. And after a long day of adventures, Canyonlands National Park provides campers with breathtaking views of the night sky.
Campsite options: Canyonlands National Park offers two primary campgrounds — Island in the Sky and The Needles — and backcountry camping locations.  

 

Posted by: Cruise America & Canada RV Rentals Inc
Posted on: 18/12/2025

Southwest National Parks road trip - Part 1

Be inspired by Cruise America & Canada RV Rentals Inc...

IDEAS
Free Camping in Colorado!

Colorado might just have it all. It’s home to the majority of the lower 48’s tallest mountains. It also has one of America’s deepest canyons and sand dunes that wouldn’t look out of place in the Sahara.

IDEAS
Pacific Northwest Road Trips

You’ve seen the American Southwest’s sunny deserts and the Northeast’s shining skyscrapers. You’ve even experienced the rich history of the Southeast, so what else is there to see? The Pacific Northwest, of course! 

IDEAS
FREE camping in Utah!

Utah is also all about dispersed/free camping, with over 23 million acres of public land to camp on. Much of the land is owned by the Bureau of Land Management, which is generally amenable to free camping for shorter stays.

IDEAS
Southwest National Parks road trip - Part 2

This part 2 of our look at the awesome National Park options available to you on a southwest road trip. 

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