Franklin Mountains State Park - Texas

Address:1331 McKelligon Canyon Road
El Paso, Texas

The largest urban park in the U.S., Franklin Mountains covers 37 miles within the city limits of El Paso, Texas. Adorned with colorful native American pictographs seen in rock shelter and deep mortar pits, the mountains' beauty inspired their protection by conservationists who wanted to ensure their enjoyment by many future generations. Today, indeed, visitors are invited to hike and mountain bike on the many trails, as well as rock climb. Camping is available here among the remarkable wildlife who call this park home, as are ranger-led tours on the first and third weekends of the month. And if you drop by for a visit, be sure not to miss September's Chihuahuan desert fiesta.

Franklin Mountains State Park, in El Paso County, was created by an Act of the Texas State Legislature in 1979. The Franklin Mountains form a striking backdrop to the City of El Paso and constitute an area of statewide ecological and aesthetic significance. Making the mountains a park for the protection of their natural features and enjoyment of the public has long been a dream of farsighted El Paso residents, as well as conservationists across the state and nation. When, in the late 1970s, developers began carving roads into these, until then, almost pristine mountains, House Bill 867 was passed in 1979 by the Texas Legislature authorizing Texas Parks and Wildlife to acquire Franklin Mountains as a State Park, thus protecting the area from further urban development. The intent of the Legislature was to provide lasting protection to the outstanding scenic, ecological and historic features of the Franklin Mountains so that they could be enjoyed and appreciated by present and future generations. Parks and Wildlife acquired the property in 1981; it was opened to the public in 1987 for limited use. The park is the largest urban park in the nation at 24,247.56 acres, covering some 37 square miles, all within the city limits of El Paso.