Find New Experiences in El Paso

From RV parks, golfing and sporting events to day trips into Mexico, this West Texas destination will keep you active all season.

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Words by Rick Stedman

The many attractions in El Paso, TX, draw more than two million visitors annually. One of the novel distinctions of this westernmost point of the Lone Star State is its convergence of Texas, New Mexico, and Old Mexico. The Spanish arrived here in the mid-1600s and the ‘Spanish influence’ is still present today.

Nicknamed Sun City due to its 300 days of annual sunshine, El Paso’s winter temperatures average 16°C (60°F); daytime averages in the summer reach an arid 35°C (95°F). Perched at 1,158 m (3,800 ft) above sea level, the city’s weather is mostly dry with common afternoon winds.

El Paso Accommodations for RVers

The greater El Paso area offers plenty of quality RV parks and Mission RV Park is one of the top spots. Across its 6.2 ha (15.5 ac), 188 sites average 18-21 m (60-70 ft) in length with sufficient space for multiple slide-outs. Amenities are plentiful and include full hookups, 50-amp electrical, cable, a clubhouse, spa, and swimming pool.

El Paso Roadrunner RV Park has 55 sites with full hookups. Services include 50-amp electrical, water, pull-through locations, laundry facilities, a camp store, and friendly staff. It offers free basic WiFi (but you get what you pay for).

While Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site only has 20 sites, it’s still worth visiting -  even for day trips. Hiking this scenic historical park is a visual treat. Located a short drive from downtown El Paso, the park is set in a desert sanctuary. Historians explain that it was a common travel site for Native Americans to gather rainwater that was collected in the natural basins of the park.

Arvey RV Park in El Paso offers 70 spaces, full hookups, and several additional amenities. There are pull-through sites, laundry facilities, WiFi (for a fee), and convenient access to Interstate 10 - all for only $30 per night.

Billed as the largest state park in an urban setting, Franklin Mountains State Park towers above El Paso. Hiking is common here and the trails lead along rugged terrain that features scrub vegetation, open spaces, and desert wilderness. There are nearly 210 km (130 mi) of multi-use routes. The park also features the Tom Mays Unit, which has five primitive but popular RV sites. 

If you enjoy history, don’t miss exploring El Paso’s Mission Trail. The three historic missions date back to the 1600s and include the Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Presidio. The beautiful structures are complemented by their respective historic summaries. 

While exploring El Paso, you can check out a total of seven museums that have free admission. They include: 

  • Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens 
  • El Paso Museum of Art
  • El Paso Museum of Archaeology
  • National Border Patrol Museum
  • International Museum of Art
  • El Paso Museum of History
  • The El Paso Holocaust Museum

A fun way to explore the city of El Paso is via one of the revitalized streetcars. The 8 km (4.8 mi) track can take you on two loops. One goes uptown and the other downtown. Colourfully decorated, the streetcars connect the El Paso Convention Centre, retail areas, Southwest University Park, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and several historic neighbourhoods.  

El Paso Golfing

The Butterfield Trail Golf Club is not only one of the premiere golf courses in greater El Paso but its name gives a nod to the local history. From 1858 to 1861, Butterfield Overland Mail was a stagecoach company that carried passengers and U.S. mail from Memphis, TN., and St. Louis., MO., to San Francisco, CA. 

Today, Butterfield Trail Golf Club features natural beauty with a classic design. Each hole is named after a different stop on the historical mail route. Also, a portion of the original 4,506 km (2,800 mi) route is still part of the Butterfield Trail Golf Club property today. Golfers can play all year at this par 72, 18-hole, Tom Fazio-designed gem that stretches 7,307 yards. 

Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course is another quality El Paso track. Featuring 27 holes, Painted Dunes is carved right out of the Chihuahuan Desert. It has three nine-hole courses – the East, West, and North, which sit at the foothills of the Franklin Mountains and offer the scenic beauty of native foliage and desert wildlife. 

Another 27-hole track is Ascarate Golf Course. Operated by the El Paso County Parks & Recreation Division, Ascarate was established in 1955 and is the area’s oldest golf course. The “MAIN 18” is a par 71 and 6,579 yards when playing from the blue tees. Straight hitters can take advantage of the course’s generous tree-lined fairways yet beware on the back nine. Water comes into play on five holes. Also, locals dub a treacherous stretch on the back nine as “Hell’s Corner.”

Ascarate also features a short nine-hole track, the Delta Nine, which measures 2,657 yards from the white tees and plays to a par 36. The terrain is relatively flat and most can finish a round in approximately 90 minutes. 

Located in nearby Anthony, NM, the town’s nine-hole Anthony Country Club has been open to the public for the last 82 years. Nestled in the levee of the Rio Grande River, this short course measures 5,825 yards with 18 holes. It features three sets of tee boxes, narrow fairways, and small greens, and is enjoyable for all skill levels. In addition to traditional golf courses, El Paso is also home to a popular Topgolf facility. 

If you feel like watching sports, rather than playing them, the El Paso Rhinos compete in the North American Hockey League. The team plays a full schedule of games from October through March. 

Sun City is also home to the El Paso Chihuahuas, a  Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres MLB team. The home field is Southwest University Park, which opened in 2014 and has a seating capacity of 9,500. Located in the centre of the city, Southwest University Park features The City Hall Grill, which is a tribute to what once stood on the site of the ballpark. The Sun Kings Saloon is a tribute to El Paso’s baseball history. 

Mexico’s Ciudad Juárez

Pedestrian border crossings from El Paso to Ciudad Juárez, MX, are popular day excursions. Connecting the two countries is the Paso del Norte International Bridge. It costs about 40 cents USD to cross the Rio Grande, which connects the two countries.

From the downtown El Paso side of the border, simply walk over the footbridge into Ciudad Juarez, a popular medical tourism destination. A day trip excursion to Mexico is certainly worth the experience. 

Don’t miss the world-famous Kentucky Club, which opened two years into prohibition in 1920. This iconic establishment became a destination for Americans when prohibition restricted the sale of alcohol in the U.S. Al Capone as well as John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and other notable celebrities visited the Kentucky Club over the years. Many came to sample the house specialty margarita, which cost about a third compared to the U.S. at the time.  

While in Ciudad Juárez, explore the colourful main market area that’s close to the Cathedral of Ciudad Juárez and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission.   

No matter the time of year, you’ll always find plenty to explore in and around El Paso. It’s an ideal snowbird destination but regardless of when you visit, you’ll find new experiences among many of its attractions, sporting events, and accommodating RV parks.    

For more information on Sun City, check out www.visitelpaso.com