Trip Ideas

Photo by New Mexico Meanders

Located about 45 minutes from El Paso, just over the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces, New Mexico, this park features streams that run year-round and shade trees located along hiking trails. Camping and picnic sites are available. Unlike most of the time-worn mountains in the area, the Organ Mountains are jagged and steep.

A difficult 9.6 mile trail, featuring many spots to hike and rock climb. Very little traffic in this area, offering a quiet and relaxed excursion. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

A 1.2-mile route, back and forth, featuring a steady, but challenging incline on the way to the Aztec Cave in McKelligon Canyon.

Photo by Balmorhea State Park

Known as the Oasis in the Desert, Balmorhea is the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Visitors enjoy swimming, scuba diving and more. With water temps in the mid 70’s year-round, a trip to this historic park is appropriate any time of the year!

Photo by Visit Big Bend

Big Bend is home to a few remarkable communities: Marathon, Study Butte, Terlingua Ghost Town, Lajitas, and Big Bend National Park. We highly recommend setting some time aside to visit these unique communities as they each possess their own unique charm and distinct experience. Accommodations range from convenient and comfortable to resort luxury. Guided outdoor activities such as hiking, jeep tours, horseback riding, river tours and more can be arranged via one of the local experienced outfitters. Big Bend is a diverse region with endless possibilities for adventure and discovery. Make sure to download the Big Bend Mobile App-an audio tour guide right in your hands!

Located in central El Paso, this untouched arroyo (dry creek bed that temporarily fills with water after heavy rains) sits at the foot of the Franklin Mountains. With beautiful views of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, the arroyo is a popular site for mountain bikers and nature lovers who enjoy birding or walking through the great Chihuahuan Desert terrain.

Photo by Elephant Butte Lake RV Park

Elephant Butte Lake is the largest and most popular lake in NM. It provides a setting for every imaginable water sport as well as a visitor center that features regional interpretive exhibits. The mild climate of the area makes this park a popular year-round destination. Elephant Butte Lake State Park headquarters are five miles north of Truth or Consequences via I-25 exit 83.

Towering above the city of El Paso is the Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest state park in an urban setting. Here you can hike rugged terrain in 37 square miles of desert wilderness, scrub vegetation and open space, with 125 miles of multi-use trails that are especially popular with mountain bikers. Camping and picnicking are also available (please, no ground fires, but charcoal fires can be built in grills at the picnic sites). Check the website calendar for special tours, for which reservations are required.

Camping Stay at one of our campsites in the Tom Mays Unit. Walk to one of 14 tent sites, or park at one of five RV sites. Rent a group camp area for your next gathering. Campsites do not have water or electricity; bring enough water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Call the park to reserve sites.

Rock Climbing Climb at the designated area in McKelligon Canyon or at Sneed’s Cory in the Tom Mays Unit. Bring your own equipment. Stay safe and follow best practices for climbing.

Located 110 miles east of El Paso, Guadalupe Mountains National Park has been described as one of America’s best kept secrets. Created on September 30, 1972, Guadalupe Mountains National Park preserves one of the best examples of Permian-era (260 to 270 million years ago) geology in the world. Formed from a reef in the ancient Delaware Sea, long since dry, the Guadalupe Mountains are one of the exposed sections of the 400 mile long, horseshoe-shaped Capitán Reef, the world’s largest exposed fossil reef. The park boasts 46,850 acres of designated-wilderness, the largest wilderness area in Texas, with another 35,484 acres of backcountry that are eligible for wilderness study, and more than 80 miles of trails, about 60% of which are designated for horseback riding. Trails range from easy to strenuous, and wind through desert, riparian, wooded and forested areas. Climb to the “Top of Texas,” 8,749 foot Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas or explore the Salt Basin Dunes (the park’s lowest point at 3,689’), which contains the second largest gypsum dune field in the US, on the west side of the park, near Dell City. The park has 7 of the 10 highest peaks in Texas. Trails can be steep, rocky and rugged, so wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or hiking boots.

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.

Photo by Celebration of our Mountains

Standing atop the Sierra de Cristo Rey (formerly known as the Cerro de los Muleros, Mule Drivers Mountain), in Sunland Park, New Mexico, the 29 ft. tall limestone statue of Christ serves as a shrine to thousands of faithfuls in the El Paso and Southern New Mexico area. Because of Mt. Cristo Rey’s proximity to Mexico, it’s best to hike up the mountain in a group. The well-maintained trail is about 4.4 miles round trip and provides stunning, unparalleled views of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.

Photo by Rent an ATV Off-Road Adventure

Rent a UTV Off-Road Adventures is El Paso’s premier UTV tour company, offering guided UTV tours through some of El Paso’s most beautiful, scenic, desert landscapes. Follow their certified tour guides, on one of their UTV’s, through miles of trails, rocky hills, compact dirt roads, sand dunes & more! See ancient fossils as you ride through an ancient sea bed and witness Red Tail Hawks, jack rabbits, quail, road runners, and many other animals native to the El Paso desert areas. Located just 15 minutes from the airport, they offer a convenient “Park & Ride” service, that includes training, safety equipment, UTV’s and guided tours, at their on-site facility.

Photo by Visit Ruidoso

Located 7,000 feet above sea level, in the cool pines, is the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico. A vacation hideaway for nearly 100 years, Ruidoso sports a horse racing track that houses the Billy the Kid Casino and features live horse racing from late May through Labor Day weekend, the fabulous Hubbard Museum of the American West, Casino Apache, The Inn of the Mountain Gods, and numerous golf courses along with great dining and shopping. Just outside town lies Ski Apache. Run by the Mescalero Tribe of Apaches, Ski Apache boasts great skiing from November through March on the north face of the 12,003’ peak of Sierra Blanca. The surrounding Lincoln National Forest is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, camping, hunting, and fishing. The nearby town of Lincoln was one of Billy the Kid’s favorite haunts. Call 505-336-4356 for Ski Apache and 877-RUIDOSO for Ruidoso visitors info.

Enhance your travels or explore new experiences locally with a one-of-a-kind Adventure Guide. At Sessions Climbing and Guiding, open since 2012, they are consistently doing research and exploring new possibilities in order to keep tours fresh, interesting, and relevant.

Located between Doña Ana and Otero County, The White Sands National Monument is without a doubt, the Chihuahuan Desert’s best-known tourist attraction. Appearing as a bright white spot in the middle of an otherwise beige landscape, the dunes are as beautiful as they are enigmatic. Visitors are free to admire all 225-square miles of the park from the comfort of their cars, on numerous wood plank paths, or even in the dunes themselves. In addition to strolling about, you can bring sleds or snowboards and slide down the sandy hills–seriously! If one day simply isn’t enough, you and the whole gang can stay overnight at the camping site. While there’s no wrong time to visit White Sands, we strongly recommend that you catch either a sunrise or sunset, there’s really nothing quite like it. Make sure to check out the museum and gift shop before you leave!

Photo by American Eagle Paintball

Accredited by the BBB, American Eagle Paintball offers new rental equipment that is professionally maintained and can accommodate children and adults. The facility offers five unique fields to choose from with professional referees on staff.

Hours of Operation

Sun: 11 AM - 6 PM
Mon: By Appointment
Tue: By Appointment
Wed: 11 AM - 6 PM
Thu: 11 AM - 6 PM
Fri: 11 AM - 6 PM
Sat: 11 AM - 6 PM

Take part in the thrill of flying at iFLY Indoor Skydiving - ground level body flight without having to jump out of the plane! Our state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel is fun for all ages, experience levels and abilities. iFLY is a family-friendly activity perfect for birthday parties, corporate events, team building and STEM Fieldtrips. An experience like no other in El Paso, Texas – reservations recommended – walk ins gratefully accepted!

Hours of Operation

Sun: 10 AM - 7 PM
Mon: Closed
Tue: 2 PM - 9 PM
Wed: 2 PM - 9 PM
Thu: 2 PM - 9 PM
Fri: 2 PM - 10 PM
Sat: 9 AM - 9 PM