Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

Adventure awaits where four red rock hills rise above the West Texas desert. We're talking world class bouldering, climbing and trekking through Mars-like outcrops.

Just one caveat: you can only access the park with a guided tour or a permit. There's a cap in place to protect the fragile landscape. To get yourself on that guest list of lucky visitors, reserve your spot up to three months in advance.

Rock climb, hike or stay overnight to see the milky way light up the sky. Have fun exploring Huecos, but be respectful—this is a sacred place. In fact, people have been coming here for nearly 1,000 years. (The water collecting in the natural rock basins and huecos was a big draw.) Today, thousands of surreal rock paintings remain, offering a glimpse into the past.

There are 20 campsites to choose from, complete with nearby restrooms and a dump station. Just get ready to ditch the firewood—ash producing fires aren't allowed as they can damage the rocks.