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Franklin Mountains State Park
The largest urban wilderness park in the US, rising dramatically out of El Paso. The entire Franklin Mountain Range is within the park — 26,000+ acres of Chihuahuan Desert.
19 campsitesWest Texas8 hr from Austin$5/person entrance fee
Short answer
Franklin Mountains State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around El Paso are bookable today.
Getting a site at Franklin Mountains State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Franklin Mountains State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Franklin Mountains State Park
Desert canyons and adobe retreats await, nestled in the dramatic Texas mountain wilderness.
See cabins & rentals near El Paso →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Walk-in Tent
$10/night*14 sites
No water, no electricity - pack in everything; picnic table, grill, tent pad, lantern post (many have shade shelters)Tent OK
Primitive Drive-up
$10/night*5 sites
No water, no electricity - self-contained RV sites onlyRV OK
Franklin Mountains State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Desert canyons and adobe retreats await, nestled in the dramatic Texas mountain wilderness.
See cabins & rentals near Franklin Mountains State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Franklin Mountains State Park
Best Campsites
For Hikers:The walk-in tent sites at the Tom Mays Unit put you closest to trail access and offer the most solitude — note several require a high-clearance vehicle to reach
When to Go
October-April. Summers are extremely hot (100°F+).
Tips
- →Bring plenty of water — desert conditions year-round
- →The Wyler Aerial Tramway nearby offers stunning views of El Paso and Juárez
Highlights
Largest urban wilderness park in the US26,000+ acres of Chihuahuan DesertTom Mays area camping and hikingAerial tramway to summit nearby
Franklin Mountains State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Franklin Mountains State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Franklin Mountains State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. October-April. Summers are extremely hot (100°F+). If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Franklin Mountains State Park have?+
Franklin Mountains State Park has 19 campsites, including Walk-in Tent, Primitive Drive-up. Sites start at $10/night plus a $5/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Franklin Mountains State Park?+
The entrance fee at Franklin Mountains State Park is $5 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Franklin Mountains State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Franklin Mountains State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near El Paso is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Franklin Mountains State Park?+
Cancellations at Franklin Mountains State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near El Paso are bookable today as a backup.
Cabins & vacation rentals near Franklin Mountains State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around El Paso are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near El Paso →