The 9 Best Weekend Getaways from El Paso, Texas (2023)

El Paso, on the western tip of Texas, is the gateway to multi-state adventures.

Beyond the city of El Paso, the borders of Texas, Mexico and New Mexico meet, and for those heading west on I-10, this will be the last farewell to the Lone Star State. 🇧🇷 Just to give you a better idea of ​​what it really means to be this far west within the state, El Paso is actually closer to San Diego (three states more) than Houston.

All of this means that if you're looking for a shore excursion from El Paso, don't limit yourself to just Texas, but additional options in New Mexico and even Arizona are also just a short drive away.

If your dream is to spend the weekend in a picturesque national park, a bustling metropolis or a quirky small town, at least one of these weekend trips from El Paso will catch your eye.

Related reading:5 must-do Texas scenic train rides

1. Las Cruces, New Mexico

In less than an hour you can drive from El Paso to Las Cruces, the second largest city in New Mexico. Las Cruces is known for its rich history as it was home to many indigenous nations and their descendants and was a stop on the Camino Real. You can learn about local history atNew Mexico Ranch and Ranch Heritage Museum,the zuhl museum, jold town of Mesilla.

Las Cruces is also a place where nature lovers can wander and see for themselves why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. Hike to an abandoned mountain camp or a cave in theArea natural drip fountains🇧🇷 See fossilized footprints from the Paleozoic EraNational Monument of Prehistoric Paths🇧🇷 Explore hectaresOrgan Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument🇧🇷 You'll find more than enough for a weekend.

• Entfernung von El Paso:47 miles
• Non-stop travel time:60 minutes

Related reading:9 Beautiful Hikes Near Albuquerque, New Mexico

2. White-Sands-Nationalpark

Who says you have to go to the beach to enjoy beautiful white sand? More than offering its visitors forests or mountains,White-Sands-Nationalparkin New Mexico has 275 square miles of sand dunes, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world. Don't even think about bottling this beautiful sand as a souvenir, as it is a federal crime. What you can do, however, is slide across the sand on one of the plastic snow discs available at the gift shop, hike one of the established trails, and bike or drive along picturesque Dunes Drive.

The park offers primitive camping inside, unfortunately not at this time. Don't worry, you can find outsome other campsites in the areaPost for the weekend.

• Entfernung von El Paso:95 miles
• Non-stop travel time:1 hour 30 minutes

Related reading:The 9 Best Hot Springs in New Mexico to Leave Your Cares Behind

3. Guadeloupe-Mountains-National Park

Everyone talks about Big Bend National Park, but many forget that Texas has another national park within its borders:Guadeloupe-Mountains-National Park.

One of the notable features of this park is that it has the highest natural point in the state, Pico Guadalupe, which stands at 8,751 feet above sea level. It usually takes six to eight hours (mostly strenuous) to hike to the summit and back, but boy are the views from the top worth it. If you're looking for something a little less challenging, there are over 80 miles of trails to choose from.

The park has three campgrounds designed for tents and RVs, as well as wild campgrounds for backpackers. Anyone staying at the park should look forward to some spectacular starry skies.

• Entfernung von El Paso:113 miles
• Non-stop travel time:2 hours

Related reading:13 Great Things to Do in Lubbock, Texas

4. Carlsbad-Caverns-Nationalpark

Keep going through Guadalupe Mountains National Park and before long you will be in another national park, this oneCarlsbad-Caverns-Nationalpark🇧🇷 Nearly half a million people visit this site every year to see the incredible underground rock formations. An interesting aspect of the experience is that you don't need to take a guided tour to explore the cave. Instead, you can set up your own site along one of two 1.25-mile trails: the Big Room Trail and the Steeper Natural Entrance Trail.

To ensure your visit runs smoothly, make reservations online or by phone in advance. You cannot enter without this reservation, and you cannot make one in the park either! If you plan on camping, you should also know that only primitive and rudimentary camping is available locally. Otherwise, you'll be staying in White's City or Carlsbad.

• Entfernung von El Paso:156 miles
• Non-stop travel time:2 hours, 30 minutes

Related reading:8 secluded New Mexico cabins for a relaxing getaway

5. Ruidoso, New Mexico

Located in the Sierra Blanca mountain range, Ruidoso is popular with skiers who flock to town.Ski-ApachePowder ski resort in warm climates. But Ski Apache isn't just winter fun. During the summer season, the resort opens trails for mountain biking, zip lines and gondola rides. Another spot for some family activities isnoisy winter park, which offers hoses all year round.

For more things to do in Ruidoso seeThe Hubbard Museum of the American West, swimming in Grindstone Lake, hiking aWetzsteinställeand walk aroundLincoln NationalforstÖTwo Rivers Park🇧🇷 With all these options at your fingertips, you won't have time to get bored.

• Entfernung von El Paso:139 miles
• Non-stop travel time:2 hours, 30 minutes

Related reading:10 Relaxing Cabins for Rent Near Taos, New Mexico

6. Maria

If there's one town that seems to embody the magic of West Texas, it's Marfa. Despite its small size and relative remoteness, Marfa increasingly attracts tourists with its eclectic charm and unique attractions.

For starters, there's all the amazing art, even in thechinese foundation,Marfa Salon,Judd Foundation, jayn foundation🇧🇷 Then there is the whole mystery of the Marfa lights that attracts people. Head to the Marfa Mysterious Lights Viewing Area at night and see if you too can spot the mysterious, distant glowing orbs that have intrigued people for over a century. Heading back to El Paso, you must stop at Prada Marfa, the famous facility built to look like a Prada store in the middle of the desert.

• Entfernung von El Paso:194 miles
• Non-stop travel time:3 hours

Related reading:Top 10 Texas Hikes for Prime Scenery in the Lone Star State

7. Monahans Sandhügel State Park

No,Parque Estate Monahans SandhillsIt's not as big as White Sands, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a visit. Standing between soft sand dunes stretching to the horizon, you might not believe you're still in Texas. To make the most of the unique environment, borrow a sand disc from the site and slide down. Otherwise, you are free to roam wherever you like as there are no designated hiking trails.

Monahans Sandhills State Park has powered campgrounds and you can reserve one online. Otherwise, you can find some cheap hotels in Monahans town. While you're in town, you might want to check this out.Museum of Millions of Barrels, where you can see a huge oil tank the size of three football fields.

• Entfernung von El Paso:253 miles
• Non-stop travel time:3 hours, 45 minutes

related reading:10 Places to See Native American Pictographs and Petroglyphs in the West

8. Big-Bend-Nationalpark

Big-Bend-NationalparkIt may not be one of the most visited parks in the country, but that says more about its remoteness than the wonders it has to offer. And there really is a lot, considering the park is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island.

Here you can hike in the mountains, along the river and through the desert. You can kayak, canoe or raft through the river gorges. In the night sky you can see an incredible number of stars. You can take a drive on one of the scenic roads, some of which are paved and some of which are not. Basically, you'll realize early on in your visit that one weekend isn't enough to experience Big Bend. But two days is certainly better than nothing, and there are campsites within the park so you can spend more time adventuring and less time driving back and forth from your lodge.

• Entfernung von El Paso:318 miles
• Non-stop travel time:4 hours, 45 minutes

Related reading:12 Great Airbnbs Near Big Bend National Park

9. Tucson, Arizona

In about the same time it would take you to drive from El Paso to Big Bend National Park, you can drive in the other direction and arrive in Tucson. This great city is full of attractions for all ages. TheArizona-Sonora Desert Museum,Pima Air and Space Museum, jTucson Botanical Gardenare just some of the popular destinations for visitors and locals alike.

If you crave a wilder wilderness amidst all the big city action, take the short trip there.Saguaro-Nationalparkwhere you can greet the largest cactus in the country: the giant saguaro. Another option would be to visitSabino Canyon Recreation Area, which offers great hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities (try to spot a Gila monster!).

• Entfernung von El Paso:318 miles
• Non-stop travel time:4 hours, 45 minutes

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