Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Buckeye, Arizona, to Wells, Texas

Buckeye, Arizona, and Wells, Texas, may seem like small towns, but they offer a plethora of activities for those looking to embark on a road trip. The journey is about 1,000 miles and takes about 15 hours of driving time, with the halfway point being Balmorhea, TX. On this trip, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the Southwest as well as have some fun experiencing unique man-made attractions. Here are the top five things to do on this stunning road trip.

1. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

The Petrified Forest National Park located in Northeastern Arizona is a must-visit for anyone interested in unique and stunning scenery. The park's main attraction is its ancient trees that have been turned to stone, creating a beautiful natural landscape. The park also contains hundreds of dinosaur fossils excavated over the years. This historic park is a gem for nature enthusiasts, history buffs and regular tourists alike.

Fun fact: The petrified trees that are scattered throughout the park date back more than 200 million years.

2. White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White Sands National Park in New Mexico is awe-inspiring. Its bright white, glistening sand dunes that stretch over 275 square miles, giving visitors a unique and out-of-this-world experience. It's the largest gypsum sand dune in the world, and it's a natural wonder that shows the beauty of the earth. Visitors can take a guided tour, which provides in-depth knowledge of the formation of gypsum sand or explore the dunes alone on foot or by car.

Fun fact: The sand dunes were formed over 25,000 years ago during the ice age, and only gypsum sand dunes remained.

3. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

Located in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a beautiful underground world. The park is home to over 119 caves, including Lechuguilla Cave, which is known for its three-dimensional contour maps, rare formations, and pristine cave life. The park is divided into two areas, the Natural Entrance area and the Big Room area. Visitors can hike into the cave through a natural entrance or take an elevator directly into the Big Room, one of the largest underground chambers in the world.

Fun fact: The depths of Carlsbad Caverns contain a variety of wildlife, including turtles, bats, and spiders, which visitors may spot while exploring the cave.

4. Balmorhea State Park, Texas

Located in the middle of the desert, Balmorhea State Park is an oasis with a man-made pool fed by natural springs. The pool has a 25-foot diving board and is up to 25 feet deep, providing an opportunity to explore the underwater world of the desert. Visitors can swim with the fish in crystal clear waters or sunbathe on the grassy area around the pool. The park also offers many other outdoor recreational activities around its beautiful mountains, including biking, hiking, camping, and bird watching.

Fun fact: The Balmorhea State Park pool is one of the largest, spring-fed swimming pools in the world.

5. Historic Jefferson Railway, Texas

The Historic Jefferson Railway in the small town of Jefferson, TX, offers visitors a unique experience of the old west. Visitors can take a steam train through the scenic countryside and learn about the history of the area. The train passes through the Big Cypress Bayou, where visitors can see local wildlife like alligators and waterfowl. The train ride can be spiced up with the "Ghost Train" or "Sunset Dinner Train Ride" theme.

Fun fact: The railroad dates back to the late 1800s, and its primary purpose was to transport cotton from Jefferson to the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad at the Cypress River.

Conclusion

This road trip adventure that begins from Buckeye, Arizona, to Wells, Texas, has something for every traveler, whether they love the outdoors or prefer man-made attractions. These five unique attractions, including the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, Balmorhea State Park in Texas, and the Historic Jefferson Railway. Visitors can add many more sights to their itinerary if they choose to, turning the trip into an experience of a lifetime. This stunning road trip takes around 15 hours, and it is well worth the time and effort.