Highway through Spring Canyon at Rock Hound State Park near Deming, New Mexico.

Best Day Trips From El Paso to Take This Summer

While there are many border towns and cities spread across the United States, El Paso, Texas may be America’s quintessential border city. Situated at the far western tip of the Lone Star State, El Paso is very close to the border with the state of New Mexico to the north and west, while the city’s southern border along the Rio Grande River marks the international boundary with Mexico and the city of Ciudad Juarez. El Paso offers plenty of attractions to keep visitors occupied, but several great day trip options are also within a 90-minute drive of downtown.

These Small Towns In Texas Come Alive In SummerSummer pleasure awaits in rural settings like the areas around Big Bend National Park and State Park, Guadalupe Mountains, and Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site.

Alamogordo, NM

New Mexico pistachio tree farm with the world's largest statue of nut and people posing by sign — The world's largest statue of a pistachio, Alamogordo. Image credit Kristi Blokhin via Shutterstock

Roughly a 90-minute drive northeast of El Paso, Alamogordo sits in the Tularosa Basin alongside the Sacramento Mountains. Home to about 31,000 residents, Alamogordo is most famous for its military and space connections with Holloman Air Force Base right next door. The first atomic bomb tests were held nearby in 1945, and key training and testing for the space program took place in the area in the 1950s and 1960s. Along with the New Mexico Museum of Space History, visitor attractions in Alamogordo include the American Armed Forces Museum, the Alameda Park Zoo (the oldest in the southwestern US), and a sculpture of "The World’s Largest Pistachio" at McGinn’s Pistachio Land!

White Sands National Park, NM

A blonde-haired woman photographer walks two German Shepards on the gypsum dunes at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. — White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Image credit Sandra Foyt via Shutterstock

While you could combine a day trip to Alamogordo and White Sands National Park (they are only a 20-minute drive apart), White Sands is well worth exploring on its own. Unique among national parks in that it is completely surrounded by a military installation (the White Sands Missile Range), the park covers nearly 150,000 acres of sand dunes that are a striking white color due to the high gypsum content. Walking on the white sand and observing the rolling dunes—some of which are 60 feet high—offers an almost otherworldly feel. The park includes amenities such as a visitors center, picnic areas, marked hiking trails, and even dune sledding.

Franklin Mountains State Park, TX

Aztec Cave in Franklin Mountains State Park El Paso Texas — Aztec Cave in Franklin Mountains State Park.

The Franklin Mountains are the scenic backdrop for the city of El Paso, and the entrance to Franklin Mountains State Park (which is technically located within the city limits) is only about a 25-minute drive from the heart of downtown. With peaks reaching as high as 7,192 feet (North Franklin Mountain), the park offers spectacular views of El Paso and well beyond. Visitors can soak up the scenic views via driving trails or hiking trails, or enjoy activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, and picnicking. The park is full of flora, such as barrel cacti, yucca, and cottonwood, as well as fauna, including mule deer, mountain lions, and golden eagles.

Las Cruces, NM

View of the Organ Mountains from White Sands Missile Range — Organ Mountains from White Sands Missile Range.

Roughly a 55-mile drive north of El Paso, Las Cruces is New Mexico’s second-largest city, with a population of about 111,000. Nestled among the Dona Ana Mountains (to the north), Organ Mountains (to the east), and Rio Grande River (to the west), Las Cruces is literally surrounded by natural beauty. The nearby White Sands Missile Range is the main economic engine and employer, and while Las Cruces lacks a classic central business district, it has several bustling shopping and entertainment areas. Las Cruces is also home to New Mexico State University, and its campus on the south side of the city adds a boost of youthful vitality to the area.

Deming, NM

The historic Armory built in 1916 during the Mexican Revolution to train troops for the defense of the US-Mexico border, is currently the Luna Mimbres Museum. — The historic Armory in Deming is currently the Luna Mimbres Museum. Image credit Rosemarie Mosteller via Shutterstock

Approximately a 90-minute drive northwest of El Paso, Deming, home to about 15,000 residents, is the seat of government and the major population area of rural Luna County, New Mexico. Site of the "silver spike" that marked the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad (America’s second transcontinental line) in 1881, Deming retains a historic look and feel that has made it a popular location for movie shoots in recent years. Along with the picturesque downtown area, Deming is home to the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, which contains local artifacts such as Native American painted pottery. Visitors to Deming can also explore two nearby state parks and several local wineries.

Fort Bliss, TX

Clouds approach the "The Errand of Corporal Ross" statue at the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial on Fort Bliss. — "The Errand of Corporal Ross" statue at the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial at Fort Bliss. Image credit Bill Chizek via Shutterstock

America’s second largest Army installation (after the nearby White Sands Missile Range), Fort Bliss, covers about 1,700 square miles. The visitor entry point, Fort Bliss Buffalo Soldier Gate, is fewer than 15 minutes from the center of El Paso. Entering the base requires you to bring a valid government ID and obtain a visitor’s pass at the gate, but the many visitor attractions at Fort Bliss make this minor inconvenience worthwhile. Highlights for visitors include the Replica Museum (which recreates 1800s Fort Bliss), the Noel Parade Field, the Fort Bliss and Ironsides Museums, the Fort Bliss Main Post Historic District, and the Freedom Crossing open-air shopping and entertainment center.

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

High angle view of the beautiful El Paso city and Ciudad Juarez of Mexico from the overlook — Overlooking Ciudad Juarez of Mexico and El Paso.

If not for the international border that divides them, El Paso and Ciudad Juarez would form a single city with the Rio Grande River running through the middle. It typically takes about 30 minutes to drive from central El Paso to central Ciudad Juarez via one of the four border bridges, though this can vary greatly (as with any international border). Home to more than 1.5 million residents, Ciudad Juarez, is one of Mexico’s largest cities and a rapidly growing industrial center. The city has numerous historic structures and lively cultural and culinary scenes. Check out the La Rodadora museum, Ecoaventuras Trepachanga, for adventure fun, or stop into the Mercado Cuauhtémoc and shop to your heart's delight. However, the city has also been prone to high rates of violence in recent decades, so sensible travel precautions are recommended for all visitors.

Cutest Small Towns In TexasThese cutest little towns in the Lone Star State stand out from the crowd due to their natural features, including lakes, rivers, mountains, and state parks.

Long before El Paso became an American city, its location served as a key passageway for the many peoples who have called this region of North America home. Today’s El Paso remains a great base of operations from which to take day trips to explore everything from national parks to military bases and bustling cities. So, if you are a local, or the next time you find yourself in El Paso, carve out some time to explore the surrounding area.

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Christopher Osborne June 19 2023 in Places