Franklin Mountains State Park

Best Trail Ever! Not only does it take 6 minutes to expose yourself to the views of WestSide, Santa Teresa and Mexico Bible Quote. But also this trail runs as far as 1.5 hours of hiking. *No shade unfortunately so definitely preferred to hike Before 10 AM or after 5 PM (Thunderbird Trail is the name).

Excellent cardio/leg workout especially if going off any trail and hiking to the ridges/various summits within the mountains. Some areas require rock climbing to reach the top. Coming back down can sometimes be tougher/more treacherous so proceed with caution. Plan ahead. Take plenty of water. Use tough foot wear, preferably high top hiking boots. Also, a tough pair of jeans to offer you some protection from the plentiful spiny vegetation native to the area. Overall it's well worth the climb and highly rewarding especially if you are the adventurous type. The views are spectacular. The mountains are beautiful. The peace and serenity up there are worth the risks to attain them. Beautiful is the LORD's creation. Jesus loves you all. God bless. 🙏🏻

My wife and I enjoy every Sunday using the trails on both sides of the mountains. Agave Loop, Mundy's Gap, North Franklin Peak, Lower and Upper Sunset, Thousand Steps, Pipeline, Schaefer Shuffle, Aztec cave, Tin mines, and more ....... Everything you want from easy to advance expert trails. Just remember not all trails are marked, remember where you started so you make it back easily. Pack MORE WATER, 1/2 liter is not enough. Summer time is HOT. We carry at least 3 liters.

An amazing state park in the middle of El Paso! There's no shortage of trails to choose from with every level of difficulty represented. No matter what trail you choose though, the views will be amazing. Be sure to go when is cool out though, either during the winter months or early during the day in summer time as the temps can get pretty brutal. Be sure to bring plenty of water!

It was a nice hike ! definitely for experienced hikers! Not so much for kids although we did hike up there with a 13yr 9yr 3yr and 2yr they had a great time

Franklin Mountains State Park is a wonderful place to see God's beautiful and amazing creation!

We went here a few weeks ago for a day trip and although it was really hot we still had ample shade, we were able to grill and the views of the Franklin mountains were unbelievable especially at sunset so we will definitely be back.

A wonderful state park with a wide variety of hiking / mountain biking trails with a wide range of difficulty. Great for dog walks too! The nature walk has an amazing bird hide; do not miss it! Overall, this park represents the wilds of the area surrounding El Paso.

You can make it to the top of the mountain into the cave with a good pair of trekking poles. Please don't be like me and not have any balancing poles with you because you might struggle as much as I did getting to the top since the terrain is rocky with some loose rocks. So it can be pretty challenging, but the incline varies from steep slope to flat. Once inside the cave, there wasn't much to see. I was hoping for some form of crystals or even stone to rub my hands across. The ground was dusty. I visited during the week, so there wasn't much of a crowd. When I finally made it to the top, the views were breathtaking. The sight oversees El Paso as a city. The park ranger shop is large and clean. The upkeep at this state park is very good. The restrooms are located behind the park shop and are clean as well. I love this park and cannot wait to come back.

Beautiful park. Definitely take the trail to the Aztec Caves. It's challenging but I saw kids make it up to the caves. Be sure to go around to the left of the first cave to see the second one. There may be more but I was hot, tired and a little more than sunburned after spending the previous day at Hueco Tanks. Bring a lot of water and sunscreen if you go in the summer.

Franklin Mountains State Park was beautiful! They lie about the moderate hike lol. Whew, some were quite challenging like to the Aztec Caves and Mundy's Gap. Camping here was fine but you are in a wind tunnel so make sure you have solid stakes in the ground for your tent. No showers and only an eco toilet at the campsite. Beautiful spot to see the sunset. Mundy's Gap would be the spot to watch the sunrise but a steep hike is tough with no light. The trails aren't the most clearly marked. Go check out Franklin Mountains.

Just a fantastic state park. The visitor center was brand new and spectacular. Really fit in well and will season wonderfully. Lots of picnic spots and a few camping, but the trailhead parking seemed too small.

This park has changed A LOT since I was last here, maybe 10 yrs ago. When I first visited, some 30 yrs ago, it was free. Then they charged $3 for vehicle during certain times of the year. Then $5/vehicle... still, it was reasonable enough. There is a nice visitor shop now, and another bldg that we didn't go into. I heard that there are restrooms in the back, but we didn't use either. It was very crowded the day that we went (1st weekend of Spring), but people were not particularly rude, as you often find in crowds. There's SO many different trails, and now they have even more, that go some distance beyond the parking area to the North. I wish I could come here more often, but not living in town, and also having to pay the fee every time (the yearly pass is $70 for one person), is a bit much. Also, charging for each person is just stupid. It should be a charge for each car, not each person. It's not a zoo. THE worst part was that they closed the cross road to get in. You go up Transmountain to the East and there used to be a turn off to turn left into the park. The signs are even still there, pointing to the turn off, but it is blocked off. So we had to drive up further to another turn off (on the left) and drive back, to get there. With all the new construction in the area, and roads going under Transmountain, Transmountain itself becoming more like a Highway. You would think that they would have a righthand turn off going under XMtn. And simply get rid of the dangerous left turn outs. So, the whole thing is sort of a mess, but the park itself is a decent place to hike into the mtns without landing on someone's private property.

Wanted to try out my new satellite phone & survival gear so when the apocalypse happens I will be ready! Livin off the land, beef jerky, canned beans & no stupid smart phones lol Pack your apocalypse camping gear and head to the Sierras de los Mansos! Arrrrrr! AKA "Franklin Mountains" of Texas. A small mountain range that extend from El Paso, Texas north into New Mexico over­looking the majestic Rio Grande. AKA the Paso del Norte (Pass of the North). Paso del Norte starts in Mexico, includes North Franklin Mountain, which rises to 7,192 feet in elevation. Breathtaking views & just 15 minutes from downtown El Paso you can explore 27,000 acres, about 40 square miles of very dry high desert mountains. Man! Life is full of snakes here lol The Sierras de los Mansos rise high above El Paso. On both sides of the Franklin Mountains are yuge dry desert basin areas. To the west you will see Mesilla Basin or Mesilla Bolson. "Bolson" is Spanish for "purse." To the east of the Sierras is the Hueco Basin or Hueco "purse." One of the largest urban parks in America, with excellent hiking, it holds as many adventures as it does secrets. Over 100 miles of trails, The Aztec caves, the mining caves, the restricted areas of McGregor Range & the spectacular "Round top" mountain range at the western end of the Sierra Blanca area near the town of Sierra Blanca. This area includes Finlay Mountains, Triple Hill & Sierra Blanca quadrangles. For me the most interesting thing about Round Top Mountain in Texas, is it is known for containing deposits of beryllium and it also contains the largest deposit of heavy rare-earth elements in the United States, over 1 billion tons! If you haven't realized yet, these rare earth elements contained in the mountain are used to build wind farms, energy & defense applications as well as electronic devices & lasers. 25 years ago no one cared. Today, it's a global takeover to get them. Sittin Indian legged on top of these Texas mountains I got to thinking about what life is all about lately. And I had an Epiphany. Afghanistan, about the size of Texas, is also loaded with minerals deposited by the violent collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia. So I researched it. U.S. first drove the Taliban from power in the country in 2004 bc Afghanistan, has the richest deposit of minerals in the ENTIRE world, valued at nearly $1 trillion. Scientist also say, "Round Top hosts 16 of the 17 rare earths, as well as industrial minerals including lithium, beryllium, and uranium. In addition to the rare earths and scandium, the Round Top project contains 11 of the 35 non-rare earth minerals deemed "critical to U.S. national security and the economy" by the U.S. Department of the Interior." What a revelation! The other amazing thing I found was Sierra Blanca is a must visit, a super cool little town, it has the only adobe courthouse in Texas. How adorable! It's worth a visit before it all gets wrecked by the globalist from mining all the rare earth elements for the next stupid smart phone. Get a sat phone. Save the mountains. Highly recommend.

Absolutely gorgeous mountain range. They offer primitive camping, hiking, biking, and more! There's a lot of little secret spots like abandoned mine shafts and some really cool history and legends! I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent here. It was nice to see the sunset in a semi secluded area away from the city. The nice breeze on a summer night just makes the ambiance of looking into the distance that much better.

I really enjoyed this state park! I would have like to have had more time to really explore all the trails they have. They have a trail for every fitness level. There are biking trails, cookout areas, a ton of areas to set up for picnics. It's a fun place to explore for a park fee of only $5

Franklin Mountains State Park doesn't get all that many visitors, because there isn't a whole lot to see here. To be fair, it's OK for hiking, and there are some picnic tables if you feel so inclined. I'm not really sure why the city planners put a park here - maybe they were trying to protect the land it's on from being developed? I probably won't lose a lot of sleep over this question ;-)

I used to hate this mountain, because when I was stationed here, we had to run up and down it almost weekly on Friday mornings. It was BRUTAL. It's absolutely beautiful for sure and a great place to visit, but for a workout... unless you want to die... just no.

A staple of El Paso, Texas this is definitely a site worth visiting. Whether it's a simple hike or you're an avid outdoors fanatic who craves adventure this State Park has it all. I love the views and being here during a sunset or sunrise is breathtaking. Make sure to wear appropriate shoes and plan accordingly aka bring sunscreen and water during the summertime. If you're a tad lazy then just go Transmountain to catch a small glimpse into the park.

This huge park includes many mountains and trails. Whether you are hiking or mountain biking, it's an adventure! I enjoyed hiking and experiencing the natural desert!

The Franklin Mountains State Park hiking trails do not disappoint. Most of their hiking trails start at a Medium hiking ability but does not make it impossible to hike if you are not an experienced hiker. Before you get ready to start Bring cash and a pen with you the park fee is $5 per person and you need to write your name down along with your vehicle tags in a form where you place your $ and drop in a box. Parking is safe. Review their hiking trails in their site ahead of time for there are different points to enter the park and many different hiking trails with different distance and skill levels. Always bring more than 16oz of water, bring a snack, wear sunblock and let someone know where you are going before you hit the trail. Do not underestimate the trails and plan ahead to be ready.

The Franklin Mountain Park is a great place for a hike into and over the mountains. We went during the winter so we did not get too heated up. There are various trails so you may choose one that is short or long. Some trails are very rigorous and not good for young children. Be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots, bring water and a hat.

Franklin Mountains State Park is a 24,000-acre state park in the heart of El Paso. My husband and I decided to visit El Paso to do some hiking in some of the beautiful area parks last week, and we stopped in the Franklin Mountains State Park for a short hike and to take in the views! The park is beautiful and has a few hikes of different lengths to explore. El Pasoans are lucky to have this stunning wilderness park so close to the center of the city! If you haven't been before, check it out on a beautiful day!

These mountains in El Paso are a very popular and scenic place to both hike and do primitive camping. I believe their highest peak is almost 7,000'. The road bisecting it is called Transmountain Drive (TX 375) and is only about 5 miles long and very scenic. I recommend driving through it. At the roads highest elevation it reaches about 5000' above sea level. Check it out!

If you haven't been here, do yourself a favor and go. Even if it's just to sit down and enjoy a picnic. This place has different trails for different levels. Our favorite, it's going up to Aztec Cave. You can do this by going on your own or scheduling one of their tours, which they conveniently post on Facebook events. There is an entrance fee, it was $5 for us today. Not sure if that changes often. The park is also pet friendly, which is a plus for our family. Always a great experience!

Very beautiful challenge! I love hiking/running the nearby trails. This one is definitely a workout compared to the others ones I went to. There are several intensive areas you can challenge yourself on. I did 4 hikes same day within 1 hour 24 minutes to include the aztec cave hike. I'm definitely sold on this area.

Crickey! Ova here we gotta rattler! But don't get too close or she'll nip ya! Ohh, she's a beaut isn't she? If only every trip to the Franklin Mountains were accompanied by an Australian zoologist/veterinarian/animal-lover that explained every little detail of your adventure as it was happening...*sigh* The Tom Mays Unit is my favorite side...section of the FM (although technically you could hike or bike from one unit to the other, but I live in a world where I hike for the health benefits, not for transportation reason...yay gas guzzling technology!). These trails tend to be in better shape then a lot of the ones off McKelligon canyon. There is some kind of actual rock climbing here at the TMU, but based on the man hanging on for dear life on the map, I have yet to master (or even attempt) it. The trails on FM aren't too terribly advanced either, which may be a good or bad thing depending on what you're looking for. I do love the Aztec Caves mostly just because you feel so accomplished after making it up such a steep mountain (with a 60 lbs. dog in tow) without falling on your tush. There are a few trails that start off with this extremely rocky terrain. And by 'rocky terrain' I mean loose boulders, rocks and pebbles that tend to be sharp and slick (my favorite combo...that's sarcasm). The Cottonwood starts off like that, but once you get past that avalanche waiting to happen, the hike becomes easier and depending on what time of the year you go the spring may actually be in full flow. This is Texas, so a snake or two shouldn't shock you, but it really doesn't happen that often. We do have mountain lions too and some type of deer thing (although I'm still not convinced the signs aren't just an elaborate hoax done by the city of EP), but sightings are rare. I have gone hiking in other cities and states and while my favorites are out of town, the TMU still ranks high in my books because there are a variety of trails and the desert scenery is completely captivating. Oh, the only other thing I should mention is there is a $5 (I think) fee per person. Not a big deal, it helps pay for the workers which I'm glad are out there because once you hit the mountain there's almost no cell coverage.

Franklin Mountain is interesting. There is a $5.00 parking admission. If you don't pay you will be ticketed. They check multiple times a day. I'm not sure how much the tickets is, however, my guess is it's much more than $5. The views are great. I'd say during my hike I noticed that most have been hiking off the main trail. It's easy to miss the signs if you go off the main trail. There are many trails. If you stick to the main trail you'll be find. Just be prepared for high winds when you get near the peaks. It's worth the hike. Just plan for enough time. The hike is great especially for young ones and pets. I took my dog and she handled the hike like a champ.

I spent about 3.5hrs doing the hike here. Paid $5 to enter or you can park at the entrance and spend about 30min walking to the beginning of the trail. The views are beautiful and once you get to the top, it's a nice view of El Paso. Only thing I did not like was the trail in the beginning was all rocks and it was very uncomfortable and painful at times

Beautiful trails and hiking for those looking for fresh air. The visitors center staff was very welcoming and provided guidance as I was a traveler and new to the area.

First time here and we hiked up to Aztec Cave! It looked pretty impossible to hike up, and towards the end of the journey felt that way. However, it felt so good to be at the top and relax in the caves. Gorgeous views, fresh air, and quiet surroundings when you have reached the top. Beautiful hiking spot!

C'mon it's TransMountain. What is there not to love? It has a mile high cut in the mountains right at Smugglers Pass where cattle rustlers used to move their cattle. (Did you know cattle rustling is at an all time high? It is now easier than ever to steal cattle. Better brand 'em!) This is what happens millions of years after a beach and some volcanic magma erupted. There are all kinds of rock formations and when the magma came millions of years ago it made the limestone turn into marble. The best stories imho are the ones about the various UFO sightings right at the top of Smugglers Pass. Or the other strange activities that occur at Smugglers pass: when some cars drive thru the pass their car engines start acting funny and their lights start flickering. Is it UFOs? Is it aliens? Is it the ghosts of the cattle rustlers? Be sure to park up at the top and revel in the beauty of El Paso: the passageway to the North.

My favorite thing to do in El Paso: hiking in this park. It's part of the Franklin State Park but they have different locations throughout the city. The Tom Mays park is on the westside but easy to get to from the east because it's on transmountain road. You can find good trails via the app called AllTrails. Best trail is Schaeffer Shuffle for me. Steep climb, but awesome views, and all of that in a 1.5-2 hour hike! Aztec Cave trail is nice, and I saw kids and chihuahuas do it, too. Not super easy though because of the climb. But also nice views. Lots of bikers so they must have good bike trails. Nice camping sites although no showers, water, electricity. One note: they close the gate strictly at closing time! Get the camping pass even if you're not staying for overnight camping. That way you get to stay in the park later than closing time.

VERY disappointed! Drove all the way over there and it was closed it's mainly outside with nature. No feast be closed during covid. I'll never go back

I went on the hike today from the parking lot at the top of Transmoutain. I have made this hike numerous times and admit it is my favorite in town. It doesn't show the trail on the web page but it is an official trail. There is a little container by the trail head to pay your fee and get a receipt to put in your car windshield. The trail starts out pretty tame but gets progressively steeper as you go. I have only made it to the part where the signs start saying "most difficult" and then I hang a right up to what I refer to as the "nubby thing" and others refer to as the elephants trunk. I brought my dog along and he makes the climb just fine. He is content to sleep the rest of the day. Win - win. I believe if you stay on the "most difficult" trail it takes you up to the antennas on the top. Even without the full accent there are great views of both east, west and south.

Situated high above Texas' 5th largest city of El Paso, Franklin Mountains State Park is by far and away, the largest urban park in the 48 contiguous U.S., eclipsed only by Chugach State Park in Anchorage, Alaska. The park's North Franklin Mountain peak rises to an elevation of approximately 7,200 ft. above sea level. The park encompasses approximately 25,000 acres, lying entirely within the city limits of El Paso, TX. The park is excellent for hiking and camping, with many of its trailheads in the foothills located in the front and backyards of residences on the west side of El Paso. Several trailheads are accessible off Loop 375 (Trans-Mountain Road) and McKelligon Canyon Road in northeast El Paso, as well as from Wyler Aerial Tramway's parking lot from which you may climb (or ride) to Ranger Peak (elevation 5, 632), the former being moderately challenging to the average hiker. Overnight camping is permitted only in the Tom Mays Unit located north of Loop 375. The park's highlights are the various trails that lead to numerous summits, natural springs, wildlife, vertical canyon walls, and vistas of three states and two countries. Although located in the Chihuahuan Desert, the park can become surprisingly "green", especially during the summer monsoon season when afternoon showers and thunderstorms can produce large amounts of precipitation over very short periods. In the cooler months and durinig the summer monsoon season, the top of the park's mountain peaks can become shrouded in cloud cover. At times, the mountains may "disappear" completely in a fog-like cloud cover.

The hike was definitely well worth it! Some of the cliffs are pretty dangerous because of drop offs and loose stone. My Advice: -Bring more water than what you are used to consuming - Bring along and short sleeve shirt because of the wind up there -Bring gloves because you will have to grab and crawl across terrain -Definitely take your time -Coming down is a lot harder than climbing up because of how steep it is -Bring a decent camera

First hike my husband and I went to, and it was pretty great! This isn't one of those easy, paved trails. It's rocky, sandy, and will get slippery if it rains. We went around 930am and it was pretty chilly, but you'll work up a sweat climbing. Lol. There are parking spaces and small picnic tables here. On the trail there are caves for resting stops. My only suggestion is that be aware of your surroundings and bring water. There aren't any markers to indicate where the "right" trail is. A couple other hikers said others have been lost here, so look for frequent hiking trails. It does get steep and possibly will be on your hands to climb those rocks, so be careful! Other than that, it was a breathtaking scenery! :) we'll be back again!

Very nice section of the Franklin Mountains State Park. There are many very good trails in that park area. I go to that area of the park to go hiking either with my dogs or alone. The trails range from easy to difficult.

Franklin Mountains State Park is a big park. There are many entrance areas and a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult. Most trails begin easy enough but progressively increase in difficulty the higher you go. You can "hike" in sneakers on the easy to partially medium trails as long as you watch your footing. For the tougher trails, I would recommend hiking boots. Some trails branch off and are not easily recognizable so be sure to bring a buddy or go during a high peak time. All of the trails have loose rock, some worse than others. You'll want to bring water and sunscreen as well. The wind can make the sun deceiving. The price of entry is $5 per person. You can purchase a yearly pass that includes yourself and your guests for $70. At some entrances a ranger will collect fees (cash only) as you enter and in other areas there is a kiosk self-pay. Dogs are welcome too (no fee). Overall the park is clean but in many of the higher areas there is a lot of ugly graffiti. A real bummer if you are wanting to snap a cool photo...BUT the aerial views are amazing. There are some cool desert plants and the occasional lizard roaming around. Summer months supposedly bring snakes so keep an eye out.

Had a great time. Not for the weak. I was just bring some sunglasses, 2qt of water, a lunch, cash and a buddy. Hard to follow where the trails are. Definitely a fun day.

So I have to pass by the Franklin Mountains every morning and every evening just to get to work. And every day I'm just as mesmerized as the last. Very beautiful place with an amazing view of the city. So yesterday after dinner, my partner and I have been feeling a bit pudgy since we've been so busy with the move and in processing at both our jobs and making sure all our furniture arrived in tack that we haven't had the time to be as active as we normally are. So I suggested after dinner we come here for a short hike. Agreeing to my plan we waited till the heat settled a bit because I believe the high yesterday was 102. Anyways we get here and notice that there are many different trails that we could take whether it be just a shoRt one just to take in the view which is the one we took or a long one to go over the mountains, I think we'll wait for the winter time for that one. Anyways the park is very beautiful, don't really recommend wearing running shoes and I think we might just have to invest in hiking boots.

Beautiful scenery ! Haven't seen wild life just yet ! I underestimated the trail pictures don't do justice . Also the air is very fresh ! And the incline was a great physical chAllenge , it's a good work out for sure.

Well kept park thanks to the park service. Although access is only limited to certain areas of the mountain. Always make sure to leave the entrance fee in the bulletin board with your license plate number or you may get ticketed. Make sure to always take essential items like water and sunscreen and a buddy!

the rv sites are large and very peaceful. plenty room to fit 38 foot rv slides both sides. park rangers really nice. fun hiking trails.

5 stars to what WASNT man made! I LOVE the Aztec cave, but I only will go from OCT-APRIL when the weather is cooler and the snakes arent running around. This is just the perfect way to get out and enjoy life and all it has to offer!

Great place to hike, camp, and explore! Huge amount of trails available for all levels. Bring plenty of water as there are no spigots or running water in the park.

I hiked all the way up to North Franklin Peak, which was a good workout. Beautiful day for the outing. Two things to note: cold/windy at the top in January, so bring a warm layer and a wind layer; and there is a lot of loose rock on the trails - recommend boots over low day hikers. Great time and you can see for miles at the top.

I was visiting family in NM, and being the crazy hiker that I am I found this trail not too far from where I was. It was pretty easy to find, although once inside the park there are different parking lots. It was definitely intense! I'm used to the dirt and clear trails of SoCal. This trail is not only steep, but rocky as hell! It took me 3 hours to do 5 miles. I didn't get to the top, since I was a little pressed for time. I will definitely try this again during my next visit.

Note the tom mays and ron coleman trail heads on transmountain rd. Hiked mckelligon canyon - strenuous!!! Bring lots of water and sunscreen. The peak was windy but nice. Never made it to the window :( not for the out of shape. The day I went (saturday) the booth was closed so I couldn't buy a pass and had to use the pay box at the trail head. Also, I COULDN"T FIND A TRAIL MAP TO TAKE WITH ME SINCE THE BOOTH WAS CLOSED - still haven't found one even online.

This is a great place for hiking and picnicking. The terrain is rugged and well maintained. The trails are not marked well but there are plenty of trailhead signs and a park map.

I had the pleasure of spending time with my family from California there. I drove all the way from San Antonio and got to finish off an extreme weekend with my family hiking up these Mountains. The views from the top of these Mountains are Amazing. Lets just say my dad and mom were extremely sore after this hike. I am looking at doing this again in the near future.

Watch out for dem ratt'lers, scorpions and da like.

Hitt Canyon Loop -- Dog and I just finished our 5 mile loop hike walking on the old ranch roads and arroyos with a short stretch of single track thrown in to connect all. Hadn't been there in several months. With Jimmy Bowen gone, didn't see any cattle and grass was high in spots. Parked in New Mexico by driving in from the Anthony Gap road and then walked south. Bought the annual pass for Texas parks.

E.G.A. PLT 1029 A MARINE CORPS PROGRAM has enjoyed the facilities for the past four years, from which three of those have been stays up to two weeks. Awesome place to have boot camp! Semper fi Marines

The scenery and sotol plants are beautiful, but the Cottonwood Spring trail is very rough, like walking over a pile of bricks.