El Paso, Texas, is a vibrant, culturally rich city surrounded by natural beauty. If you’re looking to have a fun adventure or a thrilling excursion around the city, try any of these interesting outdoor destinations.
Hike or Bike in Franklin Mountains State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in the United States. The 24,248-acre park lies completely within El Paso city limits. The Franklin Mountains have sweeping views of the city and surrounding area and offer numerous opportunities for recreation, including over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore on your own. Or, to learn more about the Franklin Mountains, take a guided bike tour with GeoBetty tours.
Rent a UTV
Get the thrill of a lifetime when you rent an off-road quad from Rent a UTV Off-Road Adventures. You can find the rental company at the entrance to the Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle Area in East El Paso. Once you rent the ATV or UTV, you’ll have miles of beautiful desert to explore. Included in the rental fee are goggles and helmets as well as 30 minutes of instruction and practice in the staging area.
Rock Climb at Hueco Tanks State Historic Park
About 32 miles northeast of El Paso is the fascinating Hueco Tanks State Historic Site. For thousands of years, indigenous peoples lived in the area because they had access to rainwater held in the holes of the rocks. Hueco means hollowed-out place, and the rocks holding the water, referred to as tanks, attract several species of birds, making the area a great place for birdwatching! The park is quite popular for rock climbing and bouldering, as the rock formations make for quality climbing. You’ll need to make a reservation for self-guided climbs, or you can request a guided rock-climbing tour.
Take the Downtown Walking Tour
To learn more about the history of El Paso and to see some of its beautiful historic sites, take a self-guided tour of downtown! The tour begins at San Jacinto Plaza, where you’ll pass by the alligator statue, the Mills Building, the Centre Building, the Plaza Theatre, the Plaza Motor Hotel, and the Hotel El Paso Del Norte. The tour ends at South El Paso Street. Stop by the El Paso Visitors Information Center to grab a pamphlet that helps guide you through the tour!
Visit White Sands National Park
See one of the nation’s most fascinating national parks. Simply drive north into New Mexico for about an hour to arrive at White Sands National Park. The white sand dunes, formed by natural gypsum sand, create fascinating formations and dunes that are beautiful to photograph.
Stop by the visitor center for a map and to learn about the park, and then enjoy driving or bicycling the 8-mile Dunes Drive or hiking along the five established trails throughout the dunes. If you want to stay for a few days, there’s backcountry camping allowed with a permit at the first-come, first-serve campsites.
With so many exciting things to do outside, you’ll want to enjoy these outdoor El Paso excursions time and time again!
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