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Looking for the best hiking spots near El Paso? From the nearby Franklin Mountain State Park to climbing the highest point in Texas, these are the hiking spots you need to visit!
When I got off the plane and made my way to US immigration, I got the usual question “why are you visiting the United States of America, sir?” When I said “I’m here to go hiking in west Texas”, the immigration officer looked a little shocked. “Hiking in Texas? I’m not too sure there’s much of that!” Oh, how wrong he was.
Not only does Texas have some truly incredible hiking spots with jaw-dropping scenery, but it’s got the history to go along with it too. At places like Hueco Tanks just on the outskirts of El Paso, there is rock art that dates back thousands of years. There aren’t many places in the world where you can see that.
Also, with places like Guadalupe Peak and Big Bend National Park, Texas has mountains that rival any in America. Don’t believe me? Hopefully my photos below will show you when I mean!
So, when I said I came to Texas for the hiking, I meant it. Basing myself mainly in El Paso, I travelled around west Texas and hit some of the most popular hiking trails. It’s safe to say I had an amazing trip, and I really loved hiking in this part of the States.
If you’re coming to this part of Texas, hopefully you can use this blog post as a little inspiration. I really hope you enjoy some of these hikes as much as I did!
Top 5 Hiking Spots Near El Paso, Texas
Contents:
Franklin Mountain State Park
El Paso is one of those cities that’s blessed with an incredible mountain range right on its doorstep. From Hotel Paso Del Norte which is in the heart of downtown El Paso, it only takes 20 minutes to drive to the visitor center at Franklin Mountain State Park. It really is that close.
Once here, this state park has over 100 miles of hiking trails to choose from, so there is something of everyone. If you’re looking for an easy and short hike, then climbing up to the Aztec Cave is a great introduction to the area. The final section up to the cave is a little steep, but once in the cave you’ve got some great views of the mountains around you.
For me, I really enjoyed hiking McKelligon Canyon. We did a 4-hour hike that took in Aztec Cave, then went onto McKelligon Canyon. It was brilliant seeing the desert landscape of Texas, and it was such a chill hike. We saw hardly anyone else on the trails, so it was really nice taking it all in at our own pace.
Hueco Tanks
Hueco Tanks is such a fascinating place. Just a 45-minute drive from the city, Hueco Tanks is where you can find ancient rock drawings on the rocks themselves. And when I say ancient, some of these pictographs and petroglyphs are thought to be 10,000 years old. And people think there’s no history in America!
This area has been used by Indigenous peoples for millennia, and the rock art you can still see today is a testament to that. There are a few self-guided trails you can do in the North Mountain area, but for the best experience, I’d highly recommend booking a ranger-led hike. Not only do you get access to more areas, but you also learn about the site’s cultural and natural history along the way. A lot of the pictographs and petroglyphs can be hard to see, so the guides have enhanced images to highlight the drawings.
Hueco Tanks is a fascinating blend of hiking, geology, and history. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular hiking spots near El Paso!
Guadalupe Peak
If there’s one hike that should be on your Texas bucket list, it’s climbing Guadalupe Peak. At 8,751ft, this is the highest point in Texas – and summiting it is an experience that’ll stay with you forever. You definitely get bragging rights after climbing to the top!
I came to Texas specifically for the hiking, and Guadalupe Peak blew me away. The 8.4-mile round trip is challenging – especially the first couple of miles – but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Along the way you’ll pass through shifting terrain, from exposed mountain paths to shaded tree-lined ridges, all building up to one epic final push to the summit. Trust me, the views from the top are breathtaking and totally epic.
There’s a real sense of remoteness here, like you’re standing on top of the world with nothing but desert stretching out in all directions. It’s tough, yes, but that’s what makes it so worthwhile. For me, this wasn’t just the highlight of my trip to Texas – it was one of the best day hikes I’ve ever done.
If you’re hiking Guadalupe Peak, then you can read all about it in my guide HERE.
Davis Mountains State Park
Another fantastic mountain range is the Davis Mountains State Park. I would say this location is for your endless mountain views. Texas is the second biggest state in America, and from some of these viewpoints you really get a sense of that.
From the visitor center, there are a couple of easy hikes such as the Headquarters Trail or the very popular Montezuma Quail Trail. However, we did the fairly challenging 6-mile Limpia Creek Trail. This was roughly a 4-hour hike that went through scrubland up to the Limpia Creek vista. This is the parks highest point and the surrounding views are just epic.
You can also visit nearby Fort Davis, a historic frontier military post that once protected settlers and travellers in the 1800s. It’s now a well-preserved national historic site, offering a fascinating glimpse into life in the Old West.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park may be a bit of a mission to reach – roughly a 4.5-hour drive from El Paso – but those who make the journey are rewarded with one of the most spectacular landscapes in all of Texas. This is where the state truly feels wild. With its dramatic canyons, wide-open desert vistas, and the Rio Grande carving its way along the US-Mexico border, Big Bend offers a hiking experience like no other.
The park boasts over 150 miles of trails, catering to all abilities. The popular Lost Mine Trail is a great introduction to the area – a 4.8-mile round trip that offers panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains and Juniper Canyon. For more seasoned hikers, the South Rim Trail is a full-day trek that showcases the true scale and beauty of the region.
What really sets Big Bend apart is its sense of isolation and serenity. It’s incredibly peaceful, with some of the darkest skies in the country – ideal for stargazing if you’re camping. Just be sure to plan ahead and come prepared, as facilities inside the park are very limited. For those seeking the wild, remote heart of Texas, Big Bend is unmissable.
