Hueco Tanks State Park sits 32 miles east of El Paso at an elevation of 4,400 feet. This desert area features distinctive granite outcrops and temperatures ranging from 40-100°F depending on season. Camping options near El Paso include established campgrounds with RV hookups and primitive sites, with glamping accommodations gaining popularity for those seeking more comfortable desert accommodations.
What to do
Rock climbing and bouldering: Hueco Tanks State Park Campground offers world-class bouldering opportunities with unique rock formations. A camper noted, "I love it here, great educational and helpful Rangers. There are great caves, bouldering, and cave paintings."
Hiking with restrictions: Access to many trails requires planning ahead. "Can't get in between the hours of 8am & 10am, unless you have an online reservation to even just stay for the day. Closes at 5pm sharp," explains a visitor to Hueco Tanks State Park Campground.
Desert stargazing: Las Cruces KOA provides excellent night sky viewing. "The place is beautiful and well maintained. Lots of views that everyone can enjoy. A stunning mountain range view that make sunrises and sets a treat," reports one camper at Las Cruces KOA.
Explore historical sites: The area contains significant archaeological sites with Native American heritage. "It is on a Native American Reservation. Has wild mountain goats roaming right next to your tent and has off path trails that lead to incredible views," shares a camper about their experience at Hueco Tanks.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Gleatherland maintains high standards for comfort. "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," notes a visitor to Gleatherland.
Reasonable pricing: Many sites offer affordable options. "Only five miles from Hueco Tanks SP. Has all the amenities, tons of primitive campsites, RV sites (electric/gray water & potable water hookups), yurt rentals and camp trailer rentals. Primitive sites are only $5/person nightly," reports a camper at Gleatherland.
Desert environment with amenities: Sunny Acres RV Park combines natural setting with conveniences. "Very nice park! Close to town but still quiet and relaxing. Clean sites, laundry and restrooms. Many seasonal folks who were quite nice and the staff is awesome! Love how clean the facility is and the mature trees," shares a visitor to Sunny Acres RV Park.
Off-grid experiences with comfort: El Paso area glamping options provide isolation without sacrificing amenities. "We came off season and it looked like everything was closed up but we found the primitive camping that we were looking for and then were greeted by the host within 5 minutes," writes a camper about Gleatherland.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many sites have strict visitation limits. "They only allow 70 people through a day, so it is not crowded at all. There is an area for self guided tours & an area only for guided tours," explains a visitor to Siesta RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Winter nights can get cold while days remain mild. "We stayed in a yurt. It was really cool. It was in the 40s outside and was warm inside," reports a Gleatherland visitor about glamping in El Paso during cooler months.
Water limitations: Conservation measures can affect camping. "The campground sites are pretty level, have electric & water. However, when we were there they asked to conserve as much water as possible & even use our own if possible," notes a Hueco Tanks camper.
Park orientations: Some parks require educational sessions before entry. "Before entering the campground it was mandatory to watch a film about the park. They are very protective of this sacred place," explains a visitor about Hueco Tanks procedures.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "Loved this park. People wait in line in hopes they can get in for day visit. There are areas that require a guide and some where we can hike alone. We enjoyed exploring the park and climbing the mountains," shares a visitor about Dalmont's RV Park.
Safety precautions: Weather can change quickly. "Just as the tour ended a wicked sand storm moved in, so we asked if we could stay another night. The staff was very understanding and knew it was not safe to send us out in that," recounts a Hueco Tanks visitor.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some locations offer specific activities for children. "The kids enjoyed cornhole, basketball, tetherball, and the playground. The store was well stocked," notes a Las Cruces KOA visitor.
Consider glamping options: Luxury camping in El Paso provides more comfort for families. "We stayed in space 9. Large spaces, some carports at sites. Quiet with friendly staff. Facilities are clean and attended to. Great pickle ball court," reports a Sunny Acres visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup specifications: Know what connections are available. "30/50 amp, water & sewer. Free WiFi and Cable TV. No dog park. No pool. There is a convenience store and grocery store," explains a visitor to Las Cruces KOA about the available amenities.
Internet connectivity: Service varies by location. "Internet access is spotty near campground restrooms, but non-existent at campsites (unless you have Starlink, etc)," notes a Hueco Tanks visitor.
Cell service reliability: Coverage can be inconsistent. "Wifi was decent! Faster than average KOA. Verizon had full bars but was still a little slow for some reason," reports a Siesta RV Park visitor.
Site spacing: Some locations offer more privacy than others. "The level gravel campsites are spaced well apart and have plenty of natural landscaping for privacy. The sites have cabanas over the picnic tables, nearby trash disposal and on site water and electric are available," details a Hueco Tanks visitor.
