Located right along the Mexican border, the city of El Paso is a perfect base for road trips. While there aren’t many large cities around the area, there are several spots where you can enjoy nature and escape from the urban bustle. Be sure to check websites for accommodations. Whether you like endless desserts or snowy mountains – El Paso is just a couple of hours away from your dream destination. Buckle up and explore these wonders with your friends or family!
1. Ruidoso, NM
If you’re looking for a great winter destination to rent a cozy cabin in the woods and head out to the mountains for some skiing, the city of Ruidoso is a perfect choice. Located a little over an hour’s drive away from El Paso, this resort town in New Mexico is visited by tourists from all over the country – even from Mexico! The city is surrounded by the Sierra Blanca mountain range, which gets covered in snow every year.
Although most accommodation and catering facilities are in Ruidoso’s downtown, the cabins and skiing areas are a few miles north from them. The Ski Apache is particularly popular among ski fans, with a gondola lift that takes them all the way to the top and a cozy wooden lodge to enjoy some hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows.
2. Samalayuca Dune Fields, Mexico
Get your passport or passport card ready and prepare your cameras for one of the most impressive landscapes of the region. These enormous fields of dunes are located in the northern end of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. From downtown El Paso, it takes less than an hour and a half to reach the small town of Samalayuca, from where it’s possible to drive or hire a tour guide to take you to the dunes.
The Samalayuca dunes are considered one of the best secrets in Mexico. While the country’s beaches and colonial towns are popular among American tourists, this jaw-dropping dessert is close to the border – yet tourism is only just starting to pick up. Although it’s possible to visit Samalayuca as a day trip from El Paso, there are also a few hotels in the nearby town.
3. Mount Cristo Rey, NM
If you don’t want to cross the border into Mexico but still want to have a view of the neighboring country and the twin cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mount Cristo Rey is the best choice. The base of the mount is less than a 15-minute drive from downtown El Paso, and the hike to the top usually takes anywhere between two and three hours, depending on your condition. Make sure to bring your camera and some comfortable hiking shoes.
After verifying availability, pack up the family and head off to one of these idyllic locations for stunning views and incredible memories – enjoy your adventure!
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