Activities around and in El Paso

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Places to Tour

Las Cruces, New Mexico Visitor’s Guide http://www.mustseelc.org/Visiting.aspx Distance from El Paso—44 miles

2. Albuquerque, New Mexico Visitor’s Guide http://www.cabq.gov/visiting.html

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Distance from El Paso—265 miles

Chihuahua, Mexico

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Due to the overbearing violence currently taking place across the northern border region of Mexico, it is not recommended that anyone travel south of the U.S.

State and National Parks in Texas

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(see below)

State and National Parks in New Mexico (see below)

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State Parks Texas

Franklin Mountains State Park: The Franklin Mountains form a striking backdrop to the City of El Paso and constitute an area of regional ecological and aesthetic significance. Making the mountains a park for the protection of their natural features and enjoyment of the public has long been a dream of farsighted El Paso residents, as well as conservationists across the state and nation. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/franklin/ Located in El Paso

2. Wyler Aerial Tramway: The Wyler Aerial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park features an aerial cable car situated on 195.742 acres of rugged mountain and rock formations on the east side of the Franklin Mountains. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/wyler_aerial_tram/ Located in El Paso

3. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site: This 860.3-acre park is named for the large natural rock basins or "huecos" that have furnished a supply of trapped rain water to dwellers and travelers in this arid region of west Texas for millennia. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hueco_tanks/ Located in El Paso

4. Balmorhea State Park: Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930s, the park was deeded in 1934 by private owners and Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1. The park was opened in 1968.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/balmorhea/ Distance from El Paso—241 miles

5. Davis Mountains State Park: The Davis Mountains, the most extensive mountain range in Texas, were formed by volcanic activity during the Tertiary geologic period, which began around 65 million years ago. These mountains were named after Jefferson Davis, U.S. Secretary of War and later President of the Confederacy, who ordered the construction of the Fort Davis army post. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/davis_mountains/ Distance from El Paso—199 miles

For more information on State Parks in Texas, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/

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National Parks Texas

Chamizal National Memorial: The Chamizal Convention of 1963 was a milestone in diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States. Chamizal National Memorial was established to commemorate this treaty, which resulted in the peaceful settlement of a century-long boundary dispute. The Memorial provides visitors with an opportunity to better understand the culture of our borderland. http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm Located in El Paso

2. Guadalupe Mountains National Park: From the low desert brush, inhabited by javelinas and desert reptiles, to the high, lush mountain evergreens with nesting golden eagles and amphibians, Guadalupe Mountains is a refuge for plant and animal species of all types. http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm Distance from El Paso—167 miles

3. Fort Davis: Frontier Post: Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. http://www.nps.gov/foda/index.htm Distance from El Paso—199 miles

4. Big Bend National Park: Sometimes considered "three parks in one," Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour’s drive can take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here, you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude. http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm Distance from El Paso—332 miles *Highly Recommended*

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National Parks New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Rocky slopes and canyons, cactus, grass, thorny shrubs, and the occasional tree, who could guess at the hidden treasures deep underground? Beneath this rugged land are more than 117 known caves - all formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone. http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm Distance from El Paso—166 miles

2. White Sands National Monument: Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, dunes have engulfed 275 square miles of desert creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm Distance from El Paso—102 miles

3. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who lived in this area over 700 years ago. http://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm Distance from El Paso—154 miles

For more information on National Parks in New Mexico, visit http://www.nps.gov/applications/parksearch/state.cfm?st=nm

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State Parks in New Mexico

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is New Mexico's 34th state park, encompassing 300 acres of bosque (riverside forest) along the Rio Grande and 600 acres of adjacent Chihuahuan Desert. The park is a refuge for wildlife and a haven for people seeing the quiet enjoyment of nature. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/mesillavalley.htm Distance from El Paso—45 miles

2. Established in 1966, Rockhound State Park consists of the main park and the Spring Canyon Recreation Area. The main park includes a 30-site campground, hiking trails and a visitor center on the west slopes of the Little Florida Mountains. The Spring Canyon Recreation Area is a day-use area located across the valley in the foothills of the Florida Mountains and includes picnic sites and hiking trails. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Rockhound.htm Distance from El Paso—103 miles

3. Pancho Villa State Park: The park is located on the grounds of former Camp Furlong from where Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing launched 10,000 troops on an 11-month, 500-mile pursuit of Villa

into Mexico. The Exhibit Hall tells the story that begins with the 1910 Mexican Revolution and ends with Pershing’s command of the Allied Forces when the U.S. entered World War I. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/panchovilla.htm Distance from El Paso—118 miles

4. Leasburg Dam State Park: The park has attractive picnic and camping facilities on the Rio Grande, a modern restroom with showers, a new playground for the young at heart, a new campfire circle for evening programs, and a new visitor center with exhibits. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/leasburg.htm Distance from El Paso—79 miles

5. City of Rocks State Park: Rock formations like those at the City of Rocks State Park exist in only six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city with houses, chimneys, courtyards and streets. Visitors can choose from 62 campsites scattered among the rocks, from which they can hike, bird watch, picnic, bike, take in the interpretive exhibits at the visitor center, explore the park’s botanical garden or star gaze. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm Distance from El Paso—135 miles

6. Percha Dam State Park: Cottonwood and velvet ash trees shelter park visitors from the southern New Mexico sun. Visitors fish and swim to the backdrop of the Rio Grande. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Percha.htm Distance from El Paso—104 miles

7. Caballo Lake State Park: Boating, sailing, swimming, water skiing, fishing and windsurfing are some of the wet and wild activities available at the Park. Lake and river provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a variety of fish including catfish, largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, bluegill, northern pike and sunfish. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/caballo.htm Distance from El Paso—104 miles

8. Elephant Butte State Park: Encompassing the largest and most popular lake in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake State Park provides camping, boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and bird watching. The visitor center offers regional information and interpretive exhibits. Southern New Mexico’s mild climate makes this park a popular year-round destination. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/elephant.htm Distance from El Paso—122 miles

9. Oliver Lee State Park: Set against the desert foot of the dramatic Sacramento Mountains, this park features historic exhibits and a fully restored 19th century ranch house. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/oliverlee.htm Distance from El Paso—89 miles

For more information on State Parks in New Mexico, visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/