The Best Outdoor Activities in El Paso: Parks, Trails & More

Hey there! My name is Jamie Feinberg. I’m an adventurer and traveler who spent five years traveling the U.S. in an RV full-time!

New Mexico was one of my favorite places to stay during our full-time years. While in the Deming/Las Cruces area, my husband and I planned several day trips to explore outdoor activities in El Paso.

My first visit to El Paso was simply a quick overnight in a Walmart parking lot. While there, I was struck by the gorgeous art on the highways (and everywhere in the city we passed) and the unique-for-us experience of being the only white people inside Walmart.

Since then, we have returned many times to take advantage of what the city has to offer, and it’s always left me wanting more.

This city’s position right on the border with Mexico means the people of El Paso are diverse, creative, and even more collaborative and flexible than other cities we’ve visited. El Paso and the surrounding area are full of art, history, and beautiful natural areas.

The city has a unique character that you won’t find elsewhere in the United States. 

In this guide to outdoor areas in El Paso, I’ll share some favorite places and spots on my “must-visit” list for when I return so that you’ll be ready to make the most of the area on your own El Paso adventure. 

Overview of El Paso’s Outdoor Scene

El Paso has a treasure trove of outdoor areas to explore.

Whether you prefer botanical gardens or wetlands and wildlife, climbing or camping, you’ll have many options. Numerous trails for walking, hiking, and biking exist, and the surrounding area offers several state parks and national parks to choose from.

Popular Outdoor Destinations & Activities

These are some of the most popular outdoor destinations and activities near El Paso:

Franklin Mountains State Park

One of the best outdoor activities in El Paso is a visit to Franklin Mountains State Park. Here, you’ll find gorgeous views, great hiking, biking, bird watching, rock climbing, and even ranger-led arts in the park programming.

As space allows, primitive camping for both tents and RVs is available. Daily admission is $5/person or free with a Texas State Parks Pass. 

Be sure to pack all the water you’ll need, and head here for suggestions on making the most of your time (whether you’ll visit for three hours, a full day, or more). The park has a fascinating history, and it’s one of the largest urban wilderness areas in the world!

Even if you decide you don’t have time for a state park visit, I highly recommend orienting your drive so you pass through or near the Franklin Mountains. They’re absolutely beautiful, especially at sunrise and sunset.

If you’re a rock climber or want to catch some culture in the mountains, McKelligon Canyon is highly recommended. This site has some tips on how to plan your visit. When theater or music events are scheduled at the beautiful theater built into the canyon, you’ll find tickets here. (Some of the events there are free!) 

Hueco Tanks State Park

El Paso has not one but two state parks, with the second being Hueco Tanks State Park. The park offers rock climbing, hiking, stargazing, and a chance to see ancient art on the walls. The interpretive center is in a historic farmhouse, so stop by to learn the history of the area. 

It’s mainly a day-use park, but it does have 20 campsites, most with electricity and all with water and restrooms nearby. 

This park has areas that require a guide (book a guided tour at least one week prior) and areas you can access yourself by reserving a pass up to three months ahead of time. 

Learn more about the park’s fascinating history here, including its important role in the lives of many Native Americans and their tribes. The incredible rock images are world-renowned, and it has been designated a National Historic Landmark and a State Archaeological Landmark. 

Rio Bosque Wetlands Park

This park, managed by the city of El Paso, is an especially great place for birding. Here, you can learn about the desert wetlands and local restoration efforts. Thanks to community work days, it’s also a great place to volunteer. 

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

One of the outdoor activities in El Paso that you won’t want to miss (especially if you’ve got kids or love animals!) is the El Paso Zoo. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, head here for affordable and fun animal encounters.

Be sure to check the schedule on the website to learn what unique animal encounters are on the calendar that day. 

Chamizal National Memorial

Open Tuesday to Saturday, this is a really serene park on the border between the U.S. and Mexico. It commemorates the resolution of a 100-year boundary dispute between the two countries.

Visit the memorial to learn about the fascinating history, tour the grounds, and attend events (we caught a free play here!). While some theater productions may charge a ticket price, admission to Chamizal is free!

The Frontera Land Alliance Nature Preserves

In addition to hiking at the local state parks, the Frontera Land Alliance maintains four nature preserves, which provide more local hiking and mountain biking options.

Knapp Land Nature Preserve, Lost Dog Nature Preserve, and Wakeem Teschner Nature Preserve offer a combined 15 miles of hiking trails in El Paso.

Lost Dog Nature Preserve is also noted for its mountain biking. 

Off-Road Adventures

Looking for off-roading opportunities? Red Sands is a popular spot. You can rent equipment from local companies. 

Golfing in El Paso

This golf course was rated #3 in the country from 2009-2015, and reviewers rave about how affordable it is during the week especially. It’s a gorgeous course, with a bar and grill on site that combines pub food with southwest fusion. 

This 27-hole golf course was rated #2 in the country back in 1991, and it still gets good reviews. You can also use the practice facility to work on your skills! Their rates also look affordable, and lessons and a restaurant are available on-site. 

Notable Festivals and Community Gatherings

When you do any research on El Paso, you’ll likely read about Viva! El Paso! It’s a summer theater production with an extensive history at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater in the mountains.

But there are so many special events throughout the year in El Paso. From Wine Fest to Pride, from a Billy the Kid Festival to Chalk the Block, the largest arts festival in the southwest, there’s bound to be something happening when you’re in the city. 

Other Local Spots To Consider

Keystone Heritage Park & El Paso Botanical Gardens is open Tuesday through Sunday and is a popular spot to find beautiful gardens, wetlands, and birding. Admission is a bargain at only $1-3 per person.

Need some fun on a rainy day? Adventure Zone is a fun and popular spot for families. They have go-carts, an escape room, a splash zone, VR, and more. Prices begin at $6, and unlimited bracelets are available from Friday through Sunday. 

Western Playland Amusement Park is another fun place. You can get a $29.99 bracelet for unlimited rides ($19.99 under 42”) or do $8.99 admission and rides separately (perhaps if you’re not a big ride person yourself, this would be a fun way to go). Seniors 60+ and children under 33” qualify for free admission (but rides may be extra).

The El Paso Mission Trail is a fascinating way to learn more about the local area’s history. 

Nearby Day Trips

There are so many outdoor activities to do in El Paso, but it’s also an area near a lot of other popular tourist destinations. 

Consider visiting some or all of these popular outdoor destinations when you’re in the area: 

• Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, New Mexico
• White Sands National Monument in the Tularosa Basin, New Mexico
• Guadalupe Mountains in Salt Flat, Texas
• Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument near Las Cruces, New Mexico 

One more tip for you: If you find yourself near White Sands or Las Cruces and you like frozen custard, run, don’t walk, to your nearest Caliche’s location! My favorite order is adding raspberries and hot fudge to my custard, but they have tons of options—including adding green chile to your soft serve!

Best El Paso Museums

What’s better than a great museum? A great FREE museum!

I really enjoyed and am happy to recommend the El Paso Museum of Art, located right downtown. This city knows its arts and culture, and this museum has a wide mix of art in its collection, from local and regional art to art from further afield. Like much in El Paso, it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

I was surprised to find the El Paso Holocaust Museum in El Paso’s museum district. It’s the only bilingual Holocaust museum in the United States, and visiting it was a really moving experience.

The exhibits are absolutely gorgeous – it’s so well done. Especially if you haven’t been to a Holocaust museum before, I highly recommend a trip to learn this challenging but important part of our history so that we don’t repeat it. Many survivors made El Paso their home.

Honestly, this might be one of my favorite history museums from our travels. Please note that they’re closed on Mondays, and while the museum is free, donations are always appreciated. 

El Paso also has several other well-reviewed museums covering subjects such as history, archaeology, natural history, and the National Border Patrol Museum. It’s a large enough city that there’s a great chance it has whatever your favorite city activities might be, so be sure to check while you’re here. 

Where to Stay in El Paso, Texas

For most of my trips to El Paso, I stayed in Deming, NM, or Las Cruces, NM, and made a day trip. My personal experience camping in El Paso is limited to Walmart parking lots and a Harvest Hosts site.

However, after much research, these are the spots I would stay at if I wanted to be closer to the action and not drive in from New Mexico:

State Park Camping

If you don’t need any hookups, Franklin Mountains State Park offers a few primitive camping spots for RVs and tents at $10/night, though you’ll pay a daily fee if you don’t have a Texas State Parks Pass. 

Hueco Tanks State Park offers 20 campsites, most with electricity and a 50-amp hookup. Water is also available (3 days maximum, $16 or $12/night), and there is a daily fee if you don’t have the Texas Parks Pass. There is a dump station, and sites are back-in only. 

RV Parks

Mission RV Park’s gated community in the city offers a pool, spa, and clubhouse. The nightly rate is $48, and there are good weekly and monthly stay discounts. 

Otherwise, if you’re okay with a drive, consider options like Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp nearby, or try the more pricey Las Cruces KOA (yes, it’s as beautiful as it looks). 

Vacation Rentals

Note: When looking for a short-term rental house, a spot on the west side will be closer to many outdoor activities!

Hotel Options

Here are some of the best hotel options at a few different price points:

Budget Hotel

Red Roof+ and Holiday Inn get solid reviews for those on a budget.

Holiday Inn offers a pool, restaurant, and fitness center. Dogs and cats (50 lbs or less for both) are allowed. They also have a “kids eat free” offer.

Red Roof+ offers complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby, microwaves, and fridges for a fee, and one well-behaved family pet is welcome. It also provides self-serve laundry and advertises electric vehicle charging.

At average times, I’m seeing both for less than $140/night. 

Mid Level Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso—Airport costs about $250/night and has excellent reviews. It offers free parking, free hot breakfast, fitness center access, a pool, self-service laundry, and pet-friendly accommodations. 

Splurge Hotel

Ready for some luxury? Stanton House in downtown El Paso looks worth a splurge! A boutique, spa, breakfast, and parking are available, and rooms run $250-$350. This place looks like you’re staying at a museum! Dogs of 50 lbs. or less are welcome for a $100 non-refundable pet fee.

Conclusion: Outdoor Activities in El Paso

There are so many outdoor activities in El Paso – and you can get your fair share of culture while you’re here, too! It’s really a fascinating city, bordering another country with daily commuters from Mexico and full of rich diversity and beautiful art wherever you turn. 

Whether you decide to camp in a local state park or an RV park or prefer to stay outside of the city, there’s lots to love in this city, even on a small budget. 

Enjoy your explorations!

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