Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, near El Paso, Texas, is a unique campground that combines stunning natural beauty with rich history. The area is known for its impressive rock formations and ancient pictographs, making it a fantastic spot for both camping and exploration.

The campground offers clean facilities, including restrooms and showers, which visitors appreciate after a day of hiking and climbing. Many campers have noted the spacious sites, with some equipped with electric hookups, allowing for a comfortable stay. As one visitor mentioned, “Nice clean sites with good power and water.”

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the hiking trails and bouldering opportunities right at their doorstep. The park is a popular destination for climbers, especially during the cooler months, and the breathtaking views at sunset are a highlight for many. One camper shared, “You could spend just an afternoon, or a whole week, exploring all the nooks and crannies of this rocky paradise.”

With its proximity to El Paso, you can easily venture into town for dining and shopping, or stick around to soak in the serene atmosphere of the park. Whether you're here for a quick getaway or an extended adventure, Hueco Tanks offers a memorable experience in a truly special setting.

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

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I know about this campground because I'm an American Alpine Club member, but non-members can also access the lodging and campsites. It's a 3 mile drive to the park, but a nice option, given that the park only has about 20 campsites. Tent sites are $5 for AAC members, $10 for non-members. Facilities are communal including bathroom, shower, and fire pit

Hueco Rock Ranch

Nice place to visit and stay for a night or two. Wish they would allow pets...

Quiet Spot

It's an incredibly beautiful place, so unexpected. It is kind of a pain to get access to hiking the trails (must be on the waiting list/or with a guide) but so worth it.

Ended up spending a week here (tho the price was a bit steep) But the family was down with the flu and it was a beautiful place to recover.

Hot showers. Quiet site at the end of the loop, birds chirping and incredible views. The history of the place is amazing.

clean, quiet, pricey

Hueco tanks has so many climbing and bouldering from beginner levels to more advanced. The area has so many historic spots which cave writing and drawings. You must watch a short video before you go in that teaches you a bit more about the site, and gives some great details.

Bouldering and Native American History

I love it here, great educational and heloful Rangers. 

there are great caves, bouldering, and cave paintings. 



great getaway

Lots of hiking

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

Pure natural beauty

Some trails only have a metal chain on the bottom making it feel very off the path

Completely in nature

Cant get in between the hours of 8am &amp; 10am, unless you have a online reservation to even just stay for the day. Closes at 5pm sharp.

First come first serve

Plan ahead online

April 12, 2019 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. Campers had to get a permit to climb the mountain by 10 a.m. or they would lose their chance to climb. Campsite had electric and water. There was a dump station, shower and flush toilets. Very clean. Before entering the campground it was mandatory to watch a film about the park. They are very protective of this sacred place. 

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site 

This is an active and protected archeological site. About two or three miles before the park, you will be stopped and questioned regarding your intent. The attendant then radios the park registration desk to inform of your pending arrival. Once registered, you will be sent on to a 10 minute orientation delivered by a volunteer offering lots of information about the park. 

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. The bathrooms with showers are well maintained and clean. 

There are many hikes to interesting archeological sites and unique geological formations, but (understandably) dogs are not allowed on those trails. There is, however, a trail that circumvents the park where dogs are allowed. The park has many day visitors who come to hike the well maintained, rocky trails. 

My original intent was to spend just one night, but I stayed for three. January, 2021. 





Interesting and Busy

This park has achieved legendary status within the climbing community. Located 45 minutes outside of El Paso, many climbing-bum, dirt-bag, vans have parked here to send a few of its more notable bouldering “problems” and climbing routes. We saw more than a few of these great adventure rigs while there. 

  

We had no idea about the daily permit situation when we pulled off the highway and drove the 8 miles to “check it out.”  The ranger at the front gate handled the traffic coming into the park like a pro, even though there were a fair share of impatient people "who didn't understand the hold up, dude."  And, he offered to call the office for us to see if there was a camping spot for the night.  There was, and they saved it for us...and we stayed for 3 days!  It pays to be kind and patient.

  

The granite like domes within this state park are covered with pre-historic, and more modern, pictographs, indicating that this area was legendary long before anyone decided to hook a chalk bag to their back pocket and squeeze their feet into tiny rubber shoes. The park protects these sites and limits the number of people accessing the “mountain” on a daily basis, even without a pandemic. 

  

Much of the park is completely off-limits without a permitted guide service. All of these protections are designed to maximize use while minimizing damage to this incredible record of human history. The campsite is quiet, and tucked away in a corner of the park far from the more popular areas, under the backdrop of gorgeous rock. The bathrooms were clean and offered one of the more satisfying shower experiences of any campground in America.  There are electrical hookups at some sites, but if you bring your solar panel you can camp at this beautiful campground for just $12 a night in one of their non-electric spots.

  

Daily hiking options are as numerous as the bouldering sites scattered throughout the North Mountain. Weaving your way through to the summit of the mountain is an adventure in and of itself. One unique feature of the park is that the gate closes at 6pm, to protect the archeological treasures, but it can be an inconvenience for campers.  Plan accordingly.

  

El Paso is about 40 miles away and is the closest place to purchase gas, food, etc.

A Climber's Paradise, Close to El Paso

Stumbled upon this Texas State Historic Park looking for something around El Paso. Called and captured the last site available for our desired timeframe. What an awesome camping area with a bonus of being able to explore the pictographs on both a self-guided and guided tour. 
Definitely worth a visit. Just come prepared to stay on site for a few days. They close the gate at 6pm come hell or high water!

Awesome!

Hueco Tanks is truly a sacred place and the campground is serene.  You enter Hueco Tanks knowing it’s something special, knowing it’s something special both culturally and physically.  Humans have lived here for centuries due to the natural holes that hold rain water in the stone, and the Boulder caves that create natural shelters.  We took the guided hike with the interpretive ranger (Nicole) and she was FABULOUS.   We learned so much about the people’s who lived here before and their petroglyph art.  We also learned that Hueco Tanks is a world-class bouldering site.  The campground was small (20 spots) and lovely. We stayed here in April 2021 camping in our sprinter van at a site with electric hookups.  Beautiful views, boulders, nature. Good privacy between sites.  Sunrise was serene, feeling at one with nature and all who came before us in this special spot.  When we were there is was quite chilly with strong winds - which made it hard for me some young campers who were staying at another site in tents.   Even in our camper van we felt the jolt of the wind.   That may have been an aberration or may be a regular thing.  Beautiful, special spot.  Highly recommend it. 

Sacred Place

Went there with my family on our first camping trip.  I loved it.  We were graced with rain, which the awesome park rangers Matt and Mr Ochoa said would bring the place to life and it was so true!  This site gifted my family with amazing memories. 

Amazing!

Loved the hiking and petroglyphs here— also enjoyed the self guided tour. Campsites were really nice with beautiful sunsets — downside was how many goat heads were right near where you park so hard not to bring them in. But overall really enjoyed it here, dog was bummed about how limited the dog use area was. 

Nice hiking and cool drawings

Great small campground! Very clean and quiet. As driving in sites on right have more brush and are more shaded. Ones on left more open and flat, but have less shade. Rangers are helpful. Mandatory orientation and check in for hikes as they only allow so many people in at one time. Bathroom with showers very clean.

Hueco Tanks

This is an amazing park. So many pictographs to find. This is a busy area for climbing/bouldering in the cooler months. Since this is a historical, archaeological, sacred area there are some extra rules to follow. Everyone must watch an informative video on the park and some areas are restricted. Campsites are relatively small but most have a picnic area, tent pads, and a driveway. Some sites are water and electric and some water only. Lots of wildlife in the park. About 15-20 minutes to major stores and restaurants. Lots to do in El Paso area. About 2 hours to Carlsbad or White sands. Negative note bathrooms are older and basic. Basically no shade at campsites. Cell service not great in camp area but rest of park was good for Verizon.

Pictographs and climbing 

This was supposed to be just a rest stop. We had so much fun and did so much mountaineering that we never rested!  Climbed to the kiva cave and saw ancient pictographs and amazing wildlife.  Nice clean sites with good power and water. Restrooms fine just a little dark. Staff was helpful and just awesome! Wi-fi available but not at our site. Signal too weak

Hueco Tanks Adventure 

very cool historical and geographically interesting location. campsites back right up against the north mountain. didn't use the showers, but bathrooms were clean and heated

Amazing Spot

Beautiful area with a history site close from El Paso, TX

Photos of Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

Real photos from real campers