On the drive to Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, three low mountains rise from the Chihuahuan Desert. Unique geology and rainwater create a refuge for living things there; more than 200 bird species have been documented. The park’s rock art is associated with at least three cultures and more than 1,500 years of history. Learn more about natural and cultural history on guided tours. A guide is required to access West Mountain, East Mountain and East Spur. Follow Hueco Tanks Road to reach the entrance; GPS may show an incorrect route. Check the official directions before you set out.
River Landscapes and Trails
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park lies in southeastern El Paso County, near the town of Socorro. This City of El Paso park covers 372 acres. Restoration work there supports native plant communities of the river valley. Three loop trails offer different lengths: the Bosque Trail is 0.6 miles long, the Wetland Trail is 1.5 miles and the Rio Trail is 2.4 miles. The University of Texas at El Paso offers free guided walks in the park twice a month. Since the schedule may change, check the latest dates in advance.
Another trail option is the paved Rio Grande River Trail, about five miles long, between the towns of Vinton and Canutillo along the Rio Grande. The multi-use trail, about eight feet wide, is suitable for walking, running and cycling, and offers views of the riverbank as well as opportunities for recreation. The trails also differ in their layout: Rio Bosque has three loop trails through the park, while the Rio Grande River Trail connects two towns. Its length remains approximate.
Ascarate Park includes a 48-acre lake. Visitors may bring their own kayaks and boats to the lake; only trolling motors are permitted, and boating is subject to the park’s safety rules. There are also discoveries to be made on land: Ascarate Pool has a 50-meter, competition-ready Olympic-size outdoor pool. Ascarate Golf Course opened in 1955 and has 27 holes; it also includes the short nine-hole DELTA 9 course.
Mission History and Local Culture
The historic El Paso Mission Trail is a nine-mile route connecting Ysleta, Socorro and San Elizario. It is also part of the larger El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. Ysleta Mission represents more than 300 years of Texas history. The present-day Socorro Mission was consecrated in 1843. Its adobe walls, about six feet thick, and massive vigas reflect traditional adobe construction and the mission’s distinctive design features.
In San Elizario, Presidio Chapel was built in 1877 in the traditional Spanish mission style. Arched arcades and gold-adorned pillars shape its design. At the heart of town is the historic San Elizario Placita, a public square that can be used for gatherings and performances. The annual San Elceario Fiesta is also part of local life: it features Mexican cuisine, carnival rides and live entertainment, and has been celebrated for more than 100 years. If you plan your visit around the festival, check the latest dates and program.
Museums and Border History
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology presents 14,000 years of prehistory from the El Paso area, the wider Southwest and northern Mexico. Dioramas and exhibits explore the lives of Indigenous peoples of the Americas and their material culture. The El Paso Museum of History takes a different approach, showcasing more than 1,000 years of regional history. Among its distinctive features is an interactive digital wall, one of only a few of its kind worldwide. The two museums thus offer different perspectives: one focuses on long periods of prehistory and material culture, the other on the region’s history.
Chamizal National Memorial commemorates the peaceful resolution of an international border dispute between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The memorial includes a covered 500-seat theater, which hosts plays, musicals, modern dance, opera, folkloric ballet, film screenings, lectures and discussions, among other events. The program may change, so check the latest dates before planning a visit. A Sun Metro public transit stop is located at the corner of Paisano Drive and South San Marcial Street, within convenient walking distance of the facilities at Chamizal National Memorial. Check current transit information when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: El Paso, Fabens, Clint, Gaines County, Lamb, Orange, Grayson, Upton County.
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