The Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso seems like it is at the top of the world. From the scenic overlooks, the Rio Grande Valley stretches as far as the eye can see.
As the largest urban state park in the nation, the natural area is a 37-square-mile playground in the Chihuahuan Desert. With
125 miles of multiuse trails, hikers and mountain bikers can spend hours crossing the rugged terrain and never trip over the same rock twice. There are also rock-climbing areas near the headquarters in McKelligon Canyon and in the Tom Mays Unit.
The Tom Mays Unit is 3.5 miles off I-10 on Transmountain Road and offers the most access to the park. With only a half-dozen campsites, a few RV slips, and no water or electricity; this is primarily a day-use park. There are 44 covered picnic tables, some with magnificent views.
Couple the view from the overlook in the Tom Mays Unit with the views from the turnouts along Transmountain Road. The 20-mile highway across the mountains is a roller-coaster ride of hairpin turns and steep inclines.
The Franklin Mountains State Park is on the northern outskirts of El Paso, and is accessible from I-10 or U.S. 54. For information, call 915/566-6441 or go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
1,076th in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of “Day Trips,” is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
This article appears in March 2 • 2012.
