Getting Here

This high-desert park sits just outside the city and gives guests a quick way to trade downtown for mountain views, trailheads, and dramatic sunset light.

• • More than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails spread across the Franklin range.
• • Ranger programs help visitors learn the local desert landscape, wildlife, and park history.
• • Several overlooks make it an easy option for sunrise or sunset photos without leaving El Paso.

Planning tip: Reserve day-use or camping ahead of time on busy weekends if you want guaranteed entry.

Scenic Drive is one of the easiest classic El Paso stops for out-of-town guests, with a winding mountain-edge road and a broad overlook over both El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.

• • Known locally as one of the best city views you can reach by car.
• • The overlook is especially strong at golden hour for skyline and mountain photos.
• • The route itself is part of the experience, with hillside homes and broad valley views.

Planning tip: Approach from Rim Road via Mesa Street or Alabama Street and aim for late afternoon if you want the best light.

The Mission Trail links some of the region's best-known historic communities and gives guests a slower, culture-rich drive through Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario.

• • The route connects the Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario mission communities.
• • It is a strong choice for guests who want architecture, heritage, and local history in one outing.
• • Along the way you can find artisan spaces, community events, and visitor stops tied to the binational border story.

Planning tip: Check visitor center and mission hours before heading out so you can plan the route around the sites you most want to enter.

Hueco Tanks is one of the most distinctive day trips near El Paso, known for desert rock formations, ancient pictographs, and a protected landscape popular with hikers and climbers.

• • World-class rock climbing and hiking draw visitors from well beyond West Texas.
• • Ancient rock art and guided tours add a strong history component to the visit.
• • The site is also excellent for birding, stargazing, and seeing the Chihuahuan Desert up close.

Planning tip: Reserve self-guided permits well in advance because daily access is limited to protect the site.

Downtown's art museum is an easy indoor stop for guests who want a quieter afternoon with regional collections, rotating exhibitions, and strong community programming.

• • Admission is free, which makes it an easy add-on while exploring downtown.
• • The museum regularly hosts changing exhibitions alongside permanent collections.
• • Accessible facilities and guided tours make it a flexible stop for a wide range of guests.

Planning tip: Check the museum calendar before your visit so you can time your stop around current exhibitions or special events.

San Jacinto Plaza is a polished downtown gathering spot where guests can pause between meals, coffee runs, and nearby sightseeing in the city center.

• • The plaza features a well-known Luis Jimenez sculpture that nods to El Paso history.
• • Recent redesign work added paths, seating, bridges, and room for games and events.
• • Its central location makes it an easy stop near restaurants, bars, and downtown landmarks.

Planning tip: Visit in daylight if you want to enjoy the plaza itself, then stay nearby for dinner or drinks downtown.