Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in El Paso, United States

El Paso, United States, El Paso, Activity-Based Travel Pages, Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks

Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in El Paso, United States

1. Franklin Mountains State Park

A sprawling park with diverse terrain for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. It offers a unique chance to spot local species like the El Paso collared peccary.
  • Wildlife Diversity: Provides habitat for numerous plant and animal species, including coyotes, javelinas, and mountain lions.
  • Outdoor Activities: Offers various recreational opportunities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding.
  • Scenic Views: Features breathtaking views of the city of El Paso, the Chihuahuan Desert, and Mexico.

2. Hueco Tanks State Park

An arid landscape with rock art sites, bouldering opportunities, and chances to observe desert wildlife like the kit fox and roadrunner.
  • Cultural History: Contains over 8,000 archaeological sites with Native American rock art.
  • Rock Climbing: Known for its world-class bouldering opportunities and technical climbing routes.
  • Desert Wildlife: Provides a sanctuary for various desert species, including the Hueco Tanks kangaroo rat and the Texas horned lizard.

3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

A mountainous park with diverse landscapes offering hiking trails, panoramic views, and chances to spot black bears and bighorn sheep.
  • Hiking Trails: Offers a variety of trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks, including the popular Guadalupe Peak trail.
  • Geological Wonders: Features unique geological formations like the McKittrick Canyon and the Salt Basin Dunes.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Provides an opportunity to observe black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and various bird species.

4. BBC's Big Bend Ranch State Park

A vast expanse of desert, canyons, and mountains with opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
  • Horseback Riding: Offers guided horseback rides through scenic landscapes.
  • Wildlife Diversity: Provides habitat for various species like the black bear, mountain lion, and cougar.
  • Scenic Drive: Features a scenic drive through the park with stunning views of the desert and mountains.

5. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (nearby El Paso)

A subterranean wonder with massive caves housing unique geological formations and opportunities to spot cave wildlife.
  • Cave Exploration: Offers self-guided tours through the massive, underground caverns.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Provides an opportunity to observe cave species like the cave cricket and the cave fish.
  • Unique Geology: Features unique geological formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites.

6. White Sands National Monument (nearby El Paso)

A sea of white sand dunes with opportunities for hiking, sledding, and wildlife viewing.
  • Sledding: Allows visitors to rent sleds and slide down the sand dunes.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Provides an opportunity to observe various desert species, such as kangaroo rats and kit foxes.
  • Unique Landscape: Features a unique, otherworldly landscape of white gypsum sand dunes.

7. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (nearby El Paso)

A private wildlife reserve offering guided tours to observe rare and endangered species.
  • Rare Species: Provides an opportunity to observe rare and endangered species, such as the African wild dog and the cheetah.
  • Guided Tours: Offers guided tours in open-air vehicles for close wildlife encounters.
  • Conservation Efforts: Supports conservation efforts for various species through breeding programs and habitat preservation.

8. Caprock Canyons State Park (nearby El Paso)

A park with canyons, cliffs, and opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
  • Horseback Riding: Offers guided horseback rides through the scenic canyons.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Provides an opportunity to observe bison herds, black bears, and various bird species.
  • Scenic Views: Features breathtaking views of the canyons and cliffs.

9. Las Cruces Nature Center (nearby El Paso)

A nature center with hiking trails, a wildlife sanctuary, and educational programs.
  • Wildlife Sanctuary: Provides a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife.
  • Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about local wildlife and conservation efforts.
  • Hiking Trails: Features hiking trails through diverse habitats, such as desert and riparian areas.

10. Leasburg Dam State Park (nearby El Paso)

A park with a lake, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing.
  • Fishing: Offers fishing opportunities for various fish species.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Provides an opportunity to observe various wildlife, such as ducks, geese, and Great Blue Herons.
  • Hiking Trails: Features hiking trails through diverse habitats, including riparian areas and grasslands.

11. Mescalero Apache Tribal Park (nearby El Paso)

A tribal park offering guided tours to observe wildlife and learn about the Mescalero Apache culture.
  • Cultural Education: Provides an opportunity to learn about the Mescalero Apache culture and history.
  • Guided Tours: Offers guided tours through the park, including wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Provides an opportunity to observe various wildlife, such as elk, pronghorn antelope, and bison.

12. Guadalupe Pecos River Basin (nearby El Paso)

A river basin offering fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Fishing: Offers fishing opportunities for various fish species.
  • Kayaking: Provides kayaking opportunities on the Pecos River.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Allows visitors to observe various wildlife, such as otters, beavers, and river birds.

13. Chamizal National Memorial (El Paso)

A memorial park commemorating the international boundary dispute between the U.S. and Mexico, with opportunities for bird watching.
  • Historical Significance: Commemorates the international boundary dispute between the U.S. and Mexico.
  • Bird Watching: Provides opportunities for bird watching, with over 300 species observed in the park.
  • Cultural Education: Offers educational programs about the history and culture of El Paso and Juarez.

14. El Paso Zoo (El Paso)

A zoo featuring a variety of exotic animals and educational programs.
  • Exotic Animals: Features a diverse collection of exotic animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and kangaroos.
  • Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about conservation efforts and animal behavior.
  • Conservation Efforts: Supports various conservation efforts for endangered species through breeding programs.

15. Ysleta Mission (El Paso)

A historic mission offering tours of the mission complex and insights into the early history of El Paso.
  • Historical Significance: Commemorates the history of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, one of the oldest Hispanic communities in Texas.
  • Cultural Education: Provides educational programs about the early history and culture of El Paso.
  • Architectural Beauty: Features beautiful architecture, including the historic Mission Chapel.