17 Unexpected Day Trips from El Paso That are Not as Remote as you Think

Got a day off and craving for adventure without leaving the El Paso area too far behind?

El Paso might be tucked away in the far corner of Texas, but that doesn’t mean you’re stranded in a desert of boredom. From the depths of Carlsbad Caverns to the snowy slopes of Ski Apache, there’s a world of adventure just a road trip away. Every suggestion here is within a comfortable driving distance, all sorted by distance.

After zigzagging around the Southwest for months, I’ve compiled a list of my top picks for day trips from El Paso. Whether you’re looking to climb rocks at Hueco Tanks or wander the streets of Mesilla, these are places where the travel time is reasonable, so you’re not spending your whole day on the road.

Easy Day Trips from El Paso: Less than 1 Hour

1. Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

Crossing the international border into Ciudad Juárez is stepping into a different world. This busy Mexican city is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from both Mexico and the United States. Stroll through the downtown area to explore local markets, try authentic street food, and shop for souvenirs.

One of the most popular attractions in Ciudad Juárez is the Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez (MACJ) or taking a short hike to the top of Cerro de Cristo Rey for views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Just be sure to check current border wait times before heading out, as they can vary greatly depending on the day and time. And don’t forget your passport! 

Travel Tip! Juarez is one of the most violent cities in the world. While it is generally safe during the day, it’s best to stay close to the main tourist areas and avoid wandering too far off on your own.

2. Franklin Mountains State Park 

Escape the city and explore Franklin Mountains State Park, a huge US urban park with over 27,000 acres of terrain and over 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Don’t miss the Wyler Aerial Tramway for spectacular views of El Paso and its surrounding mountains. Take a scenic drive along Transmountain Road or join a guided rock climbing tour to conquer the park’s famous boulders.

3. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site 

Hueco Tanks State Park is the go-to spot for rock climbing and hiking near El Paso. Featuring three massive granite rocks ideal for bouldering and rock climbing, with a whopping 2000 diverse routes to discover! 

Besides all the outdoor fun, the park is also a cultural treasure trove with ancient pictographs and petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years. Hop on a guided tour to learn more about these old artworks and their meaning.

4. Mesilla, New Mexico

Experience the Old West in Mesilla, a small town outside Las Cruces, New Mexico. Its historic district houses important sites such as San Albino Basilica and the Billy the Kid Museum.

Mesilla is also known for its delicious Mexican food, including the famous La Posta de Mesilla restaurant. Be sure to try their green chile enchiladas!

Mesilla also hosts several events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Cinco de Mayo celebration, the Mesilla Valley Balloon Fiesta, and Christmas in Old Mesilla.

5. Las Cruces, New Mexico

Located in the fertile Mesilla Valley, Las Cruces is another town with incredible views of the nearby Organ Mountains right from its main street. Explore the historic Old Mesilla Plaza, browse local art galleries and shops, or visit the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

If you want to get out into nature, hike amongst the dramatic peaks of the nearby Organ Mountains or go kayaking or rafting on the Rio Grande.

Best Day Trips from El Paso: Less than 2 Hours

6. Aguirre Springs, New Mexico

In the Organ Mountains, Aguirre Springs is a popular spot for hiking and camping. Hike up to the top of Picacho Peak or check out the popular Needle’s Eye trail, which takes you through a narrow rock passage to an incredible viewpoint overlooking the Tularosa Basin.

7. White Sands National Park, Alamogordo, NM

Just an hour from El Paso, White Sands National Park is one of the most stunningly pristine national parks I’ve been to. There’s not much to see besides the dunes, but if you’re a photographer, you will want to stay for days. 

The massive white gypsum dunes in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The desert is surrounded by distant mountain ranges, and the landscape changes colors depending on the time of day.

Take a walk or hike on the designated trails, or rent a sled to slide down the dunes. But no matter what activities you do at White Sands, make sure to stay for at least one sunset and blue hour!

Fun Roadside Attraction! The nearby town of Alamogordo has the world’s largest pistachio, which you can tour the farm of. Needless to say, the nuts there are delicious!

8. Deming, New Mexico

Deming is a small town with a long history. Visit the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum to learn about the Native American cultures, mining, and railroads that shaped the area’s past.

Main Street has historic murals, bronze sculptures, and famous green chili cheeseburgers at local restaurants or food trucks. Deming also has a strange tradition, an annual Great American Duck Race, a quirky event that draws in visitors from all over every August.

9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park boasts Texas’ highest peak, Guadalupe Peak, towering at 8,751 feet. This area was once part of a 400-mile-long ancient marine fossil reef with traces of old stagecoach routes.

As one of the least-visited national parks in the country, its remote location teems with wildlife including black bears, mountain lions, and a variety of bird species.

Make sure to check out Frijole Ranch and if you’re up for it, Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is just a short drive away and totally worth the visit.

10. Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico

Just north of Truth or Consequences, Elephant Butte Lake is New Mexico’s largest lake, perfect for water sports like boating, fishing, and swimming. The town itself has several hot spring spas, restaurants serving authentic New Mexican cuisine, and quirky shops to explore.

Consider driving out to Spaceport America, a futuristic facility that serves as the world’s first commercial spaceport. You can take tours to learn about private space travel, if you don’t casually have a quarter million dollars to actually go to outer space (yet).

El Paso Day Trips: Less than 3 Hours

11. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park may have over 119 caves, but most visitors head to the renowned Carlsbad Cavern, one of the most awe-inspiring caverns I’ve ever seen – it’s massive!

You can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour to explore the underground chambers and amazing formations. If you prefer not to hike down, there’s an elevator plunging 750 feet into the cave. Otherwise, check out the Wild Cave Tour, where you can crawl, climb, and squeeze your way through undeveloped areas of the cave.

Also worth mentioning is Carlsbad Caverns’ bat population – every evening at sunset, millions of bats fly out of the cave entrance in a beautiful spectacle.

12. Lordsburg, New Mexico

Located along the historic Old West Highway, Lordsburg is a small town with the Hidalgo County Museum, where you can learn about ranching, mining, and railroad industries. Take a ride on the Last Train to Lordsburg, a historic train that takes you through scenic routes with views of the mountains and desert.

13. Silver City, New Mexico

Known for its thriving art scene, Silver City has a lively artistic community with many galleries on Bullard Street or art festivals such as the Clay Festival or Tour of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The historic downtown area has the Silver City Museum, and to stay outdoors, hike around in nearby Gila National Forest or City of Rocks State Park. 

14. Marfa

Marfa is a small desert town in West Texas that has become a hub for contemporary art and culture, aka randomly bougie. It’s known for its thought-provoking art installations, like the famous Prada Marfa, and its annual art festival, Chinati Weekend. 

Aside from the thriving art scene, I was surprised to see such a small town in the middle of nowhere have such delicious food, drinks, and boutique shopping. If you’re there at night, try to see the mysterious Marfa Lights phenomenon (which I didn’t see). So take a road trip out to this eclectic town—as remote as it is, it is super unique! 

15. Balmorhea State Park

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas, Balmorhea State Park is a desert oasis featuring the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. San Solomon Springs feeds the pool, which stays at a constant 72-76 degrees year-round, so you can always take a refreshing swim. You can also strap on some scuba gear and explore underwater.

El Paso Day Trips 3+ Hours

16. Monahans Sandhills State Park

For a unique outdoor experience, head to Monahans Sandhills State Park in West Texas. This park has 3,840 acres of rolling sand dunes, perfect for activities like sand surfing and sledding.

You can rent sand disks and literally surf the dunes, or if you’re into horseback riding, they’ve got an 800-acre equestrian area.

17. Big Bend National Park

One of the largest national parks in the United States, Big Bend National Park has over 800,000 acres of mountains, deserts, and river canyons you can visit all in one day. This is a bit far for a day trip, but this national park is far from absolutely everything.

Taking the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon, with its towering cliff walls carved by the Rio Grande, is a Big Bend itinerary spot you definitely can’t miss. And if you’re into water activities, you can raft down this canyon, which has level VI rapids during some months of the year.

Other places like the Chisos Mountains have some of the best hiking trails on trails like the Window Trail. Aside from making friends in the natural hot springs in the Hot Springs Historic District, one of the funniest things I did was cross the border to Boquillas, Mexico, for some tacos and cervezas.

Final Thoughts: Best Mini Road Trips from El Paso

Turns out, El Paso’s surroundings have more to offer than just desert views. From underground caves to historic towns, this list has hopefully shown you some spots you never knew existed but now can’t wait to check out. 

And if your travel bug is taking you to more places in Texas, check out our other guides below.

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in Texas?

I’ve stayed with friends and vanlifed around, about, and through much of Texas. If you’re looking for more information on the Lone Star State, check out these other destination itineraries.

• One Day in Dallas Itinerary: Perfect First-Timers Day Trip
• One Day in Big Bend National Park Itinerary for First-Timers
• One Day In San Antonio Itinerary: What To Do In 24 Hours
• Perfect One Day In Houston Itinerary For First Timers

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.