Franklin Mountains Wilderness Loop

The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Loop traces a 25-mile circuit around Texas’s largest urban wilderness, climbing from the Chihuahuan Desert floor to rocky peaks that overlook El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and three states. The route follows old mining roads that date to the 1800s, passing abandoned tin mines, petroglyphs at Hueco Tanks, and the transmission towers that crown North Franklin Peak at 7,192 feet—the highest point in El Paso County.

This is moderate high-clearance territory with loose rock, wash crossings, and steep grades that challenge traction. Stock high-clearance 2WD handles most sections, but 4WD helps on the steeper climbs and loose descents. Avoid summer when temperatures exceed 100°F regularly; fall through spring provides ideal conditions. No permits required for the main loop, though Hueco Tanks requires day-use reservations. You’ll earn 360-degree desert views, interesting geology lessons in limestone and volcanic rock, and the strange sight of an urban wilderness surrounded by two countries’ sprawl.