Franklin Mountains State Park campground
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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 campsites|West Texas|8 hr from Austin|$5/person entrance fee

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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

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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+). Using a campsite alert service like Camp.land to catch cancellations is the most reliable way to get a site when it appears sold out.

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. For Franklin Mountains State Park, popular weekends sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. If your dates are already showing as full, set a Camp.land alert at camp.land/pricing?park=franklin-mountains — cancellations happen regularly.

How can I get a last-minute campsite at Franklin Mountains State Park?+

The best strategy for last-minute campsites at Franklin Mountains State Park is to monitor for cancellations. Camp.land (camp.land) scans every 10 minutes and emails you the moment a site opens up, with a direct booking link. Cancellations are most common 1–3 weeks before the reservation date.

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