Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso Picture: photo3.jpg - Check out Tripadvisor members' 4,327 candid photos and videos of Franklin Mountains State Park Review of Franklin Mountains State Park. Well-marked and straightforward, it heads in a mostly straight line up to the caves, which are visible from the base. The caves have a remarkable history: They are thought to have formed as gigantic air pockets in ancient lava. Franklin Mountains State Park: Aztec Caves Hike - See 408 traveller reviews, 310 candid photos, and great deals for El Paso, TX, at Tripadvisor. When you’re staying in El Paso, there’s always a wealth of outdoor, natural adventure nearby at Franklin Mountains State Park. Visit for the day or camp overnight. Early Permian gastropod fossils in outcrop below Aztec caves. It is the largest urban park in the US and is full of great hiking trails. It’s especially tough right at the entrance to the caves. Positive transparency of Aztec Cave in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso, Texas. The Aztec Cave Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the park. With the Aztec Cave Trail, the destination is the main draw — in this case, caves perched on a hillside in the Tom Mays Unit of Franklin Mountains State Park. The trail climbs steadily but not difficult to hike. According to local lore, early El Pasoans reportedly found bones and other Native American artifacts in the caves. From the trailhead (the caves can be seen from the parking lot), the trail crosses an arroyo before beginning its gradual ascent, passing a couple of campsites along the way. The trail gains 500 feet of elevation in its 0.6 miles. Rugged mountain trail with some climbing. This is Chihuahuan Desert country, and the vegetation along the trail reflects it, with lechuguilla, sotol, ocotillo, cactus and mesquite trees, adapted to survive the rigors of desert life. “The view is great,” says park Super­intendent Cesar Mendez. My favorite was a short but steep climb to the Aztec Caves.It was a $10 entrance fee and $8.00 to camp in our RV. SUPER GREAT TRIP ! State Park. Visit our El Paso Destination Guide for more things to do in El Paso. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. The caves are visible from the parking lot. By Melissa Gaskill. A Park Ranger from the Franklin Mountains State Park will guide us on this 1.5 mile round trip morning hike up the west side of the Franklin Mountains to explore three small caves. Parked car at trailhead. The Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, Texas is the largest urban park in the United States. We ended up scaling the mountain to get to the top and realizing we didn't take the trail. Aztec caves can be seen near top of mountain in the distance (arrow). Franklin Mountains State Park is open year-round … Only complaint is maybe paint trail markers a different color and taller than the vegetation. Approach to cave is fairly steep, just take your time. The caves are small but interesting and from the caves you have very good views of the state park and the Rio Grande Valley below. ”The Aztec Cave Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the park. read more. A 1.4-mile out-and-back hike to two caves with a great view overlooking the park and into New Mexico. The state park has some of the best camp sites of any state park — every one with a beautiful view of the mountains. • Gate is locked at 5 p.m. unless posted otherwise. Early Permian shell fossils (breccia) in Hueco Limestone at Franklin Mts. read more, Would have given this a 5 star rating, but went with 4 due to the TERRIBLE trail maps and even... The caves are visible from the parking lot. 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