National parks near Texarkana, Texas
Hot Springs National Park is the closest national park to Texarkana, Texas — 94.8 mi (153 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 42 min behind the wheel.
Hot Springs makes a full day trip — leave early.
Nothing near Texarkana gates the entrance itself, but Guadalupe Mountains National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Texarkana has a population of about 37,280.
National parks near Texarkana
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs National Park | 94.8 mi (153 km) | 2 hr 42 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Gateway Arch National Park | 419 mi (674 km) | 10 hr 22 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Los Novillos National Park | 495 mi (797 km) | 12 hr 11 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 518 mi (833 km) | 12 hr 42 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 610 mi (981 km) | 14 hr 53 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Big Bend National Park | 615 mi (989 km) | 15 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 616 mi (991 km) | 15 hr 2 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 638 mi (1026 km) | 15 hr 33 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| El Sabinal National Park | 663 mi (1068 km) | 16 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cumbres de Monterrey National Park | 668 mi (1074 km) | 16 hr 15 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Texarkana
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Great Smoky Mountains National Park Parking Tag | Parking, not an entrance fee | Timed reservation |
| Guadalupe Mountains | Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Texarkana
Within reach of Texarkana, 45 campgrounds across 5 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 30 at Great Smoky Mountains, 6 at Big Bend, 5 at Mammoth Cave, and 3 at Guadalupe Mountains, plus 1 more park with fewer sites.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Hot Springs National Park is generally best March through May, then September through November, with February and December as the quieter shoulder either side.
Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.
Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.
Planning a trip from Texarkana
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Bowie County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Texarkana?
Hot Springs National Park. It is about 94.8 mi (153 km) from Texarkana, roughly 2 hr 42 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Texarkana?
Yes — Hot Springs National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Texarkana?
10 parks are within reach of Texarkana, 1 of them close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Texarkana?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 1 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Texarkana?
Recreation.gov lists 45 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Texarkana. They are spread across 5 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Texarkana?
For Hot Springs National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.