Things To Do
Walking, Hiking & Biking
El Paso has become the undisputed mecca for some of the regions best mountain bike trails by virtue of its rocky terrain, views that go on for days and trails that range from beginner to advanced and suit all riding abilities. Access the trails via Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park, fee is $4 per person.
Did you know that the El Paso region was once a beach where dinosaurs roamed? Dinosaur footprint fossils at Insights’ DinoTracks site in Sunland Park, NM reveal a 98 million year old history rich with over five different species of dinosaurs, volcanos, and marine organisms. DinoTracks hikes visit 10 different educational stops on a 1.5 mile loop trail. Insights offers multiple tours of this prehistoric landscape.
Self-paced App Tours Take a DinoTracks tour anytime using our new Explore AR tour app. These augmented reality tours, available in English and Spanish, provide a fun way to explore the DinoTracks site at your convenience. Free downloads for a limited time.
School Tours Are you an educator interested in taking your class on an educational DinoTracks tour? Insights provides discounted DinoTracks guided tours for school groups, TEK-aligned DinoTrack lesson plans, and ample bus parking. Visit this link to find out more information about our school tours.
Private Tours We are happy to schedule tours for scout troops, families, or clubs on a time and date of your choosing. Follow the link above to book a private tour. Guided hiking tours are provided by our knowledgeable guides.
The Tom Mays Unit is the Thanksgiving table of the local parks system: it has something for everyone. hiking, mountain biking, road biking, birding, rock climbing, camping and picnicking are all available for outdoors enthusiasts of every stripe. This portion of the Franklin Mountains State Park offers endless possibilities for hikes, ranging from easy to extremely hard.
Seen as a paradise for world-class climbing and archeological research, Hueco Tanks encompasses three low mountains that rise 6,787 feet above sea level. Its structure once sheltered tribes such as the Jornada Mogollan People, Mescalero Apaches and Tigua Indians, giving them a stronghold. Here, thousands of rock and cave paintings of masks and stories can be observed. The famous structure of this arroyo provides unique hollows, or huecos, that capture rainwater. For a dry and weary land, Hueco Tanks can hold pockets of water for months at a time while the Chihuahua Desert lays baked. Known as the best spot for bouldering in the world, the ideal time to visit is November through March when it is not as hot.
The Lost Dog trails are situated in west El Paso and offer scenic and technical terrains. The area is about 14 square miles in size and some parts sit within the Franklin Mountains State Park. Parking is available at the trailhead.
Nestled on the south eastern side of the Franklin Mountains and surrounded by desert canyon walls, McKelligon Canyon is a popular destination known for its rock climbing, hiking, running, walking and biking. Visitors have a variety of rock climbing routes to choose from and the symmetric terrain is filled with crevices and cracks. All hiking trails including the Ron Coleman Trail begin at the end of McKelligon Canyon and are open year round (for information and access of trails contact Franklin Mountains State Park - 915-444-9100).
The Rio Grande provides a picturesque backdrop for bird watching. The trail is a stretch of paved trail that parallels the Rio Grande from the New Mexico State Line in Anthony, TX to County Club Road in El Paso, TX. Whether you walk, jog, or ride a bike, this trail provides vistas of the Franklin Mountains to the east and the mesa’s of New Mexico to the west in a quiet and soothing environment.
The 10.5 mile long trail can be accessed at the following unofficial parking locations:
Family Dollar Parking Lot-8000 Doniphan Dr. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Parking Lot-311 West Borderland Road El Abrigado Animal Clinic Parking Lot-900 Country Club Road