Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Home to Guadalupe Peak — the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet — and the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef. McKittrick Canyon in autumn rivals any New England foliage display, with bigtooth maples blazing orange and red against limestone canyon walls. The park gets about 243,000 visitors per year — which is 70% fewer than the typical Texas state park, yet it contains Texas's literal highest point. No water, no food, no gas — just raw Chihuahuan Desert beauty.