The West Texas city of El Paso has been a destination unto itself for hundreds of years, and there are still a number of weekend getaways and interesting day trips to consider from El Paso.
Like any other wonderful Texas city, El Paso has lots of things to do for everyone in and around it.
Since there is so much ground to explore in the region, we’ve divided our quick road trips from El Paso into two categories: under three hours and over three hours.
There isn’t any doubt that there are a few wonderful sites to visit around El Paso that will be ideal for your next holiday destination, whether you’re searching for a hike, museums to explore, or cultural exchange.
El Paso’s Best Day Trips Under 3 Hours
Carlsbad, New Mexico
The Caverns of Carlsbad, New Mexico, are well-known, yet many people are unaware of how near they are to El Paso.
Exploring the natural wonders of underground caves at the famed Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a must. However, you should be aware that the Carlsbad area offers much more than caverns.
If you prefer the outdoors, Carlsbad also has 100 million-year-old waterfalls, a lake for kayaking and swimming, a zoo and recreational area, as well as a state park where you can go hiking, among many other attractions that are overshadowed by the caves.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico, is one of the most popular spots to visit from El Paso. Las Cruces, which is situated beside the Organ Mountains and in the lush Rio Grande Valley, has a small-town feel despite its size.
Don’t worry; there’s enough to do in this charming city in southern New Mexico.
Las Cruces is a must-see for a single night or a weekend excursion, with some of the best Mexican food in the world and a vibrant nightlife.
Franklin Mountains State Park
Few localities in Texas or the United States can brag of having their own state park tucked among the mountains that can be viewed from their kitchen windows.
El Paso is surrounded by the Franklin Mountains, which have shaped the city into what it is today. The Franklin Mountains State Park can be ideal for those last-minute El Paso day getaways.
El Paso’s Best Day Trips Over 3 Hours
Tucson, Arizona
When we consider that a drive to Tucson, Arizona, is a considerably shorter road trip from El Paso to Houston, we can see the distance between East and West Texas.
There seems to be no finer short road journey for desert fans than that from the Chihuahuan Desert to the Sonoran Desert.
Tucson is a pleasant weekend escape with plenty of shopping, food, and activities to enjoy, but the finest part is without a doubt the gorgeous Saguaro National Park, which is full of massive Saguaro cactus that tower over the humans enjoying them.
The Davis Mountain Triangle
We’ll admit that we made up this term, but it perfectly describes the cities of Alpine, Fort Davis, and Marfa in the Davis Mountains in West Texas.
Each of these cities has its own distinct personality, but you must also visit the others if you visit one.
The beautiful journey that connects these villages is as good as any in the United States.
Monahans
Monahans brings to mind two things: a conventional West Texas town and Monahans State Park, with its massive sand dunes that seem to stretch on forever. Have a picnic & relax while gliding down the slippery dunes in a plastic tub.
Don’t forget to stop by the Roy Orbison Museum in town for a taste of the legend’s musical heritage.
