Hueco Tanks State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located about 35 miles from El Paso, Texas, Hueco Tanks State Park offers recreational activities that include hiking, rock climbing, and bird-watching. The park also acts as a historic site in that it preserves the petroglyphs and pictographs of its early inhabitants. The "tanks" in the park name refer to the depressions, or hollows, in the igneous rock formations; when rain falls, it collects in these tanks, offering much-needed water sources for the region's wildlife. You can see the ancient images left by early settlers on a self-guided or guided tour. Hueco Tanks also holds events throughout the year and activities just for kids. Befitting the park's location in the mountains and desert of West Texas, it gets fairly hot in the summer, making fall through spring a great time to visit.
Spring 56-85 F
Summer 63-90 F
Fall 41-65 F
Winter 36-61 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Hueco Tanks State Park
Hueco Tanks State Park Campground has 20 RV campsites. Sixteen of these sites offer 50-amp electrical hookups as well as water hookups. The four other sites offer water hookups only. The sites are back-in only with a max drive length of 70 feet. There are no sewer hookups, but the campground does have a dump station. Campers also have access to hot showers and restrooms. The campground features a park store, a picnic area with shade shelters, and an interpretive center. The park does allow pets in the campground and its roads as long as they're leashed.
What to Do at
Hueco Tanks State Park
Viewing the rock art is a highlight of a visit to Hueco Tanks State Park, and you can see these images yourself on a self-guided tour. Note that the park issues only 70 permits per day for the self-guided area, so you'll want to reserve your tour, which you can do up to three months in advance. You can also take a guided tour to see these petroglyphs and pictographs; be sure to book your spot at least one week in advance. Hueco Tanks also offers opportunities for rock climbing, which you can do yourself or with a guide. In addition, you can hike on your own or with a guide.
Nature Watching
Over 200 species of birds inhabit the park at various times of the year. Depending on when you visit, you can see shorebirds and other waterfowl, orioles, prairie falcons, hummingbirds, flycatchers, and goldfinches.
Stargazing
The park's remote location affords visitors great opportunities for viewing the night sky. Check the website or with park staff for information on any upcoming stargazing events.
Flora and Fauna
Hueco Tanks contains varied plant life in its different sections. You could see everything from mosquito plants, erect colubrine, ocotillo, honey mesquites, and prickly pear cacti to juniper trees, white oaks, Texas mulberries, and Rio Grande cottonwoods. The park's animal population consists of rabbits, raccoons, coyotes, gray foxes, javelina, Texas horned lizards, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and bobcats.
Hiking
Most of the park's trails are short and easy. The North Mountain Trail is one of the longer hikes. At nearly 1 mile (one way), this trail takes you from the interpretive center to where you can explore the North Mountain area. The Pond Trail gives you a glimpse of the park's rock art. For something more strenuous, try the Chain Trail. It's only 0.14 miles (one way), but you have to grab hold of a series of chains bolted into the rock as you ascend North Mountain.
Climbing
The rock climbing here is more of the bouldering type, meaning you don't need ropes. If you're new to the sport, and you're unsure about attempting a climb on your own, hire one of the area's guide services to help you.
How to Get to
Hueco Tanks State Park
Directions from El Paso: The best way to get from El Paso to Hueco Tanks is to take Interstate 10 East to US-62/US-180. After exiting I-10, take US-62/US-180 for 32 miles. When you get to Ranch Road 2775, also known as Hueco Tanks Rd/State Park Rd, make a left to turn north, and drive for 7.5 miles to the park's entrance.
Entering Hueco Tanks State Park
The park stays open year-round. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., from May to September and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from October to April. If you plan on camping in the park, you must arrive an hour before it closes in order to attend a brief, mandatory orientation session. You'll find parking lots at and near the main entrance.
Hueco Tanks State Park Entry Fee (visitor 13 and older) : $7.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Hueco Tanks State Park
Visit the park from autumn through early spring for pleasant daytime temperatures and cool nights. You can visit in the summer; just make sure to come prepared for the hot weather. Bring sunscreen and moisture-wicking clothing, and drink lots of water.
See sparrows, songbirds, white-throated swifts, blue grosbeaks, and over 200 more bird species at the park. Animals you can see include toads, barred tiger salamanders, diamondback rattlesnakes, coyotes, foxes, and skunks.
Hueco Tanks has 20 RV campsites with 16 of these offering electrical and water hookups and four offering water hookups.
It's not required to reserve a camping spot. However, as the park limits the number of visitors to protect its resources, it's highly encouraged that you make advanced reservations to camp here. Sites with electrical and water hookups cost $16 per night while water-only sites cost $12 per night.
You can bring your pets, but they're only allowed in the campground, and they must be on a leash. You cannot take your pet up in the mountains or on any gravel trail.