Franklin Mountains State Park Campground, near El Paso, Texas, is a rugged spot that offers a unique camping experience surrounded by stunning mountain views. With sites that are mostly gravel and semi-level, it’s a great place for those who appreciate a more primitive setup without the distractions of modern amenities.

This campground is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and birdwatching, with trails that lead you through the beautiful landscape. Visitors have noted the gorgeous views and the peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for meditation or simply soaking in nature. As one camper shared, “Pretty views and trails to explore” are just part of the charm here.

While the campground lacks some conveniences like drinking water and showers, it does allow for campfires, which many find adds to the experience. Each site comes with a picnic table, and the absence of cell service enhances the tranquility, allowing you to truly disconnect. Campers have mentioned that the sites are cozy, with some even enjoying the sunset views just a short hike away.

If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle, Franklin Mountains State Park Campground offers a serene retreat with plenty of opportunities for adventure. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, this spot is all about enjoying the great outdoors in a beautiful setting.

Primitive campsites, walk in and drive in.
No water
No electricity

**there is a gate and it does get locked so reservations are strongly advised**

Franklin Mountains State Park Campground

Canutillo is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Canutillo is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Canutillo

The Best Camping Near Canutillo, Texas

Lots of trails to go through. Pets are welcome

Awesome area

There is a lot of ground to cover at this park! Plenty of hiking with good elevation changes and it’s also very close to the Wyler Aerial Tramway (also from TPWD). It was miserable hot when we were here but it was a good trip nonetheless! If you don’t go by park headquarters there are iron rangers all over to pay your fees! There is only primitive, group and RV camping here so be aware of that! 

Good pit sto- LARGE park!

this campground was abandoned due to the fact that the road leading up to is was destroyed by the sand mining in the area. The only way to get to it now is to hike over the mountain. The views and the solitidue are worth it.

awesome

Franklin Mountain state park is a beautiful painted scene in El Paso Tx. some of the camp sites are drive in, but most are hike in (they aren’t very far either .2-.5 mi). The summers are extremely hot. during monsoon season the trails can be sketchy with all the water running down. The spring has poppies covering the mountain.

Mountain Beauty

just off trans mountain so can be pretty busy. be sure to bring cash to pay for your visit.. and bring lots of water! it’s hot in El Paso and easy to get dehydrated. 

mammoth rock hike has great views of The Valley below. 

also great to take photos at! 


nice for a short hike

I arrived at Franklin Mountain SP about 4:30.  I was told the park was about to close.  I asked if camping was available and was told, " yes but I'll be leaving soon".  No mention of locking the gate or no water.  

I went in and found an almost empty CG. I think there was only one tent located a couple of hundred yards away.  I went to the restroom and found no water. Checked another and found the same.  I then went back to the entrance kiosk expecting to find water there, but it was empty and closed.   I decided to stay since I had about 2 quarts with me.  

Great sunset.  I heard traffic noise from the highway most of the night, but overall it way a plesant stay.  I woke up early to the sound of sirens, mst have been a crash on the highway.  Made coffee and loaded up the bike to go into El Paso for breakfast.  I then found the entrance gate closed and locked.  It would have been a miserable night had I been without water.  

Locked in with no water.

Visited this park in both November &amp; February multiple times. It’s a great place for primitive camping though official tent sites are available. No showers that I am aware of but vaulted toilets are located near tent pads. There are many trails to explore which extend all the way into New Mexico. However, at that point, you will be past park boundaries. One of my favorite areas in the Southwest.

Beautiful Campground 

Dont have high expections for this place. It was tough to camp in a tent. Staff underestimated the walk-in, which was hard - mostly because of uphill, but also because of unstable and uneven rocks. No showers, of course, because you are in desert’s territory. This place isn’t good for tent camping because it is camping on rock, and you cant stake your tent into rock. Heads up! We used rocks inside our tent, at the corners, to hold it down against the winds. This is a better place for RVs and the like.

Other than the view...

My son and I camped in the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park over Labor Day weekend 2013. We hiked up to Aztec Cave and then scrambled above it for a beautiful view of west El Paso and beyond. Lots of other trails. There were plenty of sites and I wondered why there weren’t more campers in a county with 830,000 people, not including Juarez. We were new to El Paso then and I don’t remember a lot of heat and sun. It seemed pleasant enough though I might be scared of the heat nowadays at that time of year.  Good times. 

Chihuahan desert mountains and trails 

Stayed here one night the park is very nice. Has lots of hiking trails and scenery. The rv parking is small only has 5 sites and no amenities. Be cautious if you have a big rig the spots are not very long and are pull in pull out. We stayed in spot 5 with our 36" and it worked for the one night but if park was full we would felt we where in the way. 

Nice place but small spots

Beautiful view, very quiet. Stayed at one of the drive-in sites (#44.) No cell service since the sites are tucked back in the mountains, but this added to the peace and serenity. Each site has a covered picnic table. Definitely great for a one night stay! I would love to check out their hiking trails someday. 

Beautiful view!

Got a campsite right next to the sunset trail.  Was great to hike a 100 yards up a hill to a gorgeous sunset view. Campsites themselves are suuuuuper cushy.  Each have a pavilion, two firepits, and a well raked tent area with room for 3 tents. Definitely would like to go back and better explore the park!

Nice campsites with a great view

Primitive camping.. no trees or bushes for shade. No water pumps or anything. The cell coverage is ridiculous for overnight sites.. you have to camp in the back of the campground with no coverage. 

Pretty basic

I got a day use pass online and showed up about 4pm hoping for a walk up tent spot. They were super friendly and got me a great spot for the evening. 

Friendly Walkup tent camping

Well worth the long drive with plenty of drive-in spots. Gentle grades to get to the loops. We passed a few hike-in spots on our way to the Aztec Cave that looked great as well. 

Our particular site had a gorgeous view down a valley close to the restrooms. We're told that the restrooms don't usually smell, but the we were there for race weekend, and we ended up packing up a day early to escape the downwind stink.

Gorgeous views

May is the time to go when no one else is there for tent camping! Pretty views and trails to explore. Even a cave up the hill a little ways to explore. I don’t have a problem with primitive camping when places like this offers gorgeous views and a peaceful place to sleep. 

I was on my way to Austin TX from California to visit my daughter and this was a destination I had on the map along my car camping route. Apparently I was late (said they close at 5 but apparently they close sooner) to get into the gate for first come but a gentle sole of an angle ranger Caesar let me in as I promised to pay in the morning when the gift shop was open to take payment at 8 am. Long story short, he made my day and I would love to go back and visit again given the opportunity. Loved this setup of a hidden gem from city lights and noise.

Gorgeous and spread out camp sites

Actually, I miss the [tiny fishing](https://tiny-fishing.com) trip to these places but my friends talk to me. He said these are worthy places to visit. I hope I can come here one day.

My friend's exprience

Parking for sites is SLANTED, very few flat! 1 bar Verizon. Gorgeous here but tough in a camper van. Also very windy. 

Very pretty, but tough camping 

No amenities like electricity, water or dump stations. Great for walking, cycling, birding. The only camping sites in the metropolitan area in Texas. 
Sites are semi level and gravel. Great for meditating 

Good trails 

Had our own water, no electric sites. But El Paso, AKA The Sun City, provides plenty of sun for solar ;) Could use some more bathrooms, LOTS of tent spaces, some hike-in. Well developed trails, but LOTS of scree, so can be slippery going up, definitely slippery hiking down- - take hiking poles. Not sure what mtn bike trails are like, so check specific reviews for them. Visitor center has very cool 3d map of area. Gates locked from 1700-0800. They give you the padlock combo for entry/exit but took a couple minutes to figure out how the gate latch worked particularly at night (needed flash light). Hiked to Aztec Cave. Have done Cottonwood Springs hike….~55 yrs ago!       --&gt;Beautiful weather December (76°).

Chihuahuan desert mtns. No frills, safe, well run, clean

I arrived late and had no reservation but the ranger was extremely kind and let me in and I paid in the morning. It is a safe, clean, and lovely place. It even has sites where, if you have four wheel drive you can go and be very isolated. I loved this place!

Desert Peace

Gorgeous views and there was hardly anyone else around - it was great. Stayed at Campsite 25 in my Subaru Outback with my dog. No problems. Composite toilet within walking distance. Walmart 12 mins away. 

Photos of Franklin Mountains State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers