Hidden treasures in the Southwest to add to your next road trip

Tucked in the vast Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park doesn’t boast the name recognition garnered by other U.S. national parks. But, the park is an underappreciated gem, offering everything from snowy-white salt basin dunes to fossilized reef mountains and grasslands teeming with wildlife. Hikers are drawn to the more than 80 miles of trails that wind through woodland canyons and verdant springs, and the park’s Guadalupe Peak Trail leads adventurers through a conifer forest to the state’s highest summit.

The small community of Seligman, Arizona served as a railroad hub in the late 1800s and later grew in commercial success when Route 66 came through town in 1926. Once an important stop on the Mother Road, a visit to historic Seligman now serves as a reminder of a bygone era, offering travelers the chance to explore the area’s railroad and auto-related architecture and reflect on how growing transportation infrastructure shaped the Southwest. Grab a root beer at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In and relive the heyday of the Great American road trip.

Wander through Austin’s 350-acre Zilker Park, and you may just stumble on an unexpected sight: an outdoor swimming pool filled with water from nearby natural springs. With a year-round temperature that hovers near 70 degrees, Barton Springs Pool is a watery draw for toasty Texans and visitors: It’s even said that Robert Redford learned how to swim here as a child. The springs are also home to the endangered Barton Springs salamander, making this a federally protected habitat in which to go for a carefree dip.

Step into an enchanted fairyland that promotes kindness and imagination at Arizona’s Valley of the Moon. This 100-year-old artist-created environment is filled with whimsical creations such as anthropological trees, human-sized spider webs, colorful castle playgrounds, unique hobbit houses, and more. Visitors to this Tucson attraction can view its wonders on a tour, as well as attend a variety of theatrical performances. As a nonprofit organization, Valley of the Moon works to foster tolerance and brotherly love for all mankind, regardless of race, creed, or color.