Dallas to Santa Fe Road Trip Guide

Get your kicks at the award-winning, family-owned and operated campground, Amarillo KOA, conveniently located just off Historic Route 66. Extend your stay and wander the famous highway to see local attractions such as the Cadillac Ranch, American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum, or visit the Route 66 historic district featuring antiques, boutiques and eclectic dining.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch offers the famous 72-ounce steak challenge and free shuttle service from many local RV parks. Even if you're not attempting the challenge, their regular steaks and Texas-sized portions make for a memorable dinner stop.

After the museum and trip back in time, continue heading west on I-40 until you reach Albuquerque. The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque has plenty to see and do, making it well worth checking out.

One unique place to stop is Old Town, which is Albuquerque’s first neighborhood, having been established in 1706 when Spanish families settled there. The town was organized in Spanish colonial style, which included a central plaza with a church; after the first church collapsed in 1792, the San Felipe de Neri Church was built in its place and remains standing today.

Most of Old Town’s architecture is adobe in the Pueblo-Spanish style, with flat roofs and walls made of stucco. A center for culture, architecture, shopping and art, Old Town is a great place to explore and to grab a traditional New Mexican meal.

About two hours and 45 minutes from Wichita Falls is Caprock Canyons State Park, the site of your next stop. The Park’s rugged scenery is the result of the impact of wind and water on the land. Located about 100 miles southeast of Amarillo, the park is about 15,314 acres and includes 90 miles of trails ready to be explored. Bison can be seen roaming the park’s plains and you can also encounter bats in the park’s Clarity Tunnel.

There is plenty to do within the park; in addition to hiking or biking along the trails (which range from easy to very challenging), you can go horseback riding, geocaching, fishing, explore Lake Theo in a no-wake boat, enjoy a picnic and camp for a night or longer. Caprock Canyons State Park is perfect for a short stop or longer stay during your trip to Santa Fe.

As you continue heading toward Santa Fe, you will find an interesting place to stop about an hour and 40 minutes away from Amarillo; Mesalands Community College’s Dinosaur Museum! The museum opened in 2000 and offers about 10,000 square feet of exhibits, where visitors can check out replicated and original fossils, including a skeleton of a 40-foot long Torvosaurus.

Classes are held within the Museum for those seeking a science degree with an emphasis on paleontology and geology and fossils discovered on field trips are displayed in the museum’s large laboratory. The focus of the museum is on the Mesozoic period and offers the largest collection of bronze skeletons (made in the college's foundry), fossils and replicas of prehistoric life in the world. The Exhibit Hall also includes a children’s area, where the majority of the exhibits are able to be touched by curious children.

From Dallas, begin your adventure by heading northwest on US-287 N for about two hours. This will bring you to Wichita Falls, Texas and your first stop, Lucy Park.

With 178 acres, Lucy Park is a regional park in the heart of the city of Wichita Falls on the banks of the Wichita River that includes large pecan and cottonwood trees, as well as a large pond where ducks make their home. There are plenty of things to do within the park, including disc golf, a swimming pool, playgrounds, sand and concrete volleyball courts, basketball hoops and a 1.7-mile trail that surrounds the park (perfect for hiking and biking). Lucy Park is an excellent choice for a picnic, with two large picnic shelters, five smaller picnic shelters, 30 picnic tables and 34 grills for barbecuing. Whether looking for a place to get some exercise, relax or a bit of both, Lucy Park is a great choice.

Drive to the bottom of the second-largest canyon in the U.S. for hiking, biking and jeep or horseback rides. Take in the musical drama, "TEXAS" (seasonal), at the outdoor amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of Texas". This 120-mile-long canyon showcases millions of years of geological history through its colorful rock layers and unique formations.

The park offers excellent RV camping facilities with both primitive and full-hookup sites. There are over 80 state parks in Texas. The largest state park is the Big Bend Ranch State Park. It offers adventure in the form of river floating, biking, horseback riding, hiking, camping, and more. Another popular state park is the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located just south of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The Lighthouse Trail is a must-do 6-mile round-trip hike to the park's most iconic formation, perfect for stretching your legs after hours on the road.

Cadillac Ranch is one of the coolest roadside stops we've made! It's quirky, colorful, and the kids loved getting to spray paint the cars (bring your own cans or grab some nearby). The ever-changing artwork makes it feel like a giant community canvas in the middle of a field. This iconic public art installation features ten vintage Cadillacs buried nose-down in a wheat field, constantly evolving as visitors add their own artistic touches.

Located just off I-40 west of Amarillo, it's easily accessible for RVs with plenty of parking space. Bring spray paint cans (available at nearby stores) to leave your own mark on this ever-changing masterpiece. The site is free to visit and provides that quintessential Route 66 photo opportunity.

Cross the Texas-New Mexico border and head towards Tucumcari (too-come-carry) to visit the Tee Pee Curios shop, where you can browse for knick-knacks and local crafts. Then, hop on over to the rustic and quaint Blue Swallow Motel (you'll recognize it from its iconic neon sign) and camp out for the evening while you prepare for the next leg of your journey.

This classic Route 66 town preserves the golden age of American road trips with restored neon signs, vintage motels, and roadside attractions. We chose to stop in Tucumcari to check out a cool souvenir shop (TeePee Curios) I found while researching our trip. It was definitely a cute little shop with all kinds of New Mexican and Native American-inspired goodies. The Tucumcari KOA provides modern RV amenities while maintaining that nostalgic Route 66 atmosphere.

Since you're already on the go, take in the incredible layout of downtown Santa Fe—the stunning architecture, the vibrant colors, the friendly locals. And while you're at it, keep the beauty coming with a gentle amble towards the Canyon Road Arts District, featuring over 100 charming galleries. The historic Plaza has been the heart of Santa Fe for over 400 years, surrounded by Native American vendors, art galleries, and adobe architecture that defines the Southwest aesthetic.

Canyon Road's art district stretches for nearly a mile, showcasing everything from traditional Native American pottery to contemporary sculpture. Plan at least half a day to explore the galleries, many of which offer demonstrations by local artists.