Franklin Mountains State Park sits 7,192 feet above sea level, overlooking El Paso and offering multiple camping options for outdoor enthusiasts with pets. The park's Chihuahuan desert landscape features distinctive mountain terrain with significant elevation changes and rocky trails. Temperatures can range dramatically between seasons, with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F while winter evenings may drop below freezing.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: Franklin Mountains State Park offers extensive trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "There are great developed trails, but LOTS of scree, so can be slippery going up, definitely slippery hiking down -- take hiking poles," notes Mark M. from Franklin Mountains State Park Campground.
Historical site exploration: Visit ancient pictographs at Hueco Tanks State Park. "We stayed in the campground and did the self guided hike the first day, then decided to book a tour for the next day. Both were well worth doing and the guided tour was only $5 p/person and lasted about 3 hrs," shares Moe F. from Hueco Tanks State Park Campground.
Wine tasting: Sombra Antigua Winery combines camping with vineyard exploration just north of El Paso. "They have a large outdoor covered wine tasting area that allows dogs. An excellent wine sampling set helped choose a good wine," reports Arthur K.
What campers like
Desert solitude: Many sites offer quiet spaces away from crowds. "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!" writes Tiffany Ann G. about Franklin Mountains.
Pet-friendly facilities: Gleatherland provides comfortable options for pet owners near Hueco Tanks. "Remote desert camping with plenty of amenities. From primitive camping for $5/night to limited RV hook-ups (gray water, fresh water, electric), yurt & trailer rentals," explains Charlie O.
Night sky viewing: The dark skies around El Paso's camping areas provide excellent stargazing. "At night I could see so many stars, and in the morning I could see all the way across the Tularosa Basin to Lincoln National Forest, probably 80 miles away!" reports Craig G. from Aguirre Spring Campground.
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Many campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. "Arrived tired and looking forward to relaxing. You can only book one of 3 sites online at hipcamp.com. All 3 sites booked," warns Dave B. about Sombra Antigua Winery.
Gate access restrictions: Some parks have strict entry hours. "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)," mentions Mark M. about Franklin Mountains.
Site limitations: Mission RV Park offers convenient urban camping but with constraints. "Most sites are uneven and short. BLM recommends nothing more than 23' long," notes Mark M. about suitable vehicle sizes for certain campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Consider seasonal weather effects: Plan family activities for cooler parts of the day. "Beautiful weather December (76°)," shares Mark M., highlighting that winter months can be ideal for family camping near El Paso.
Pack extra water: The desert environment requires significant hydration planning. "We brought our own 5 gal of water and were fine for 3 nights," advises Mark M. about preparation requirements.
Educational opportunities: Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground offers learning experiences. "Met some BLM peeps who were very nice, helpful and provided great information re: geology of the area and other points of interest," says Mark M.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations matter: Many pet-friendly camping areas near El Paso have strict vehicle length restrictions. "Only vehicles up to 23 ft," confirms Christopher P. about Aguirre Spring Campground.
Level site challenges: "Parking for sites is SLANTED, very few flat! 1 bar Verizon. Gorgeous here but tough in a camper van," warns Lucy P. about Franklin Mountains, highlighting the importance of leveling equipment.
Military discounts available: Fort Bliss RV Park provides excellent value for eligible campers. "This facility is limited to DoD agencies only. Costs range from $18-25 depending on your status," explains Michael C.
