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Illustrative landscape
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.
Campsites
19 campsites
Region
West Texas
Guide rate from
$10/night*
Entrance
$5/person
Short answer
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation guidance · Checked 2026-09-07.
Compare your options
Campsite types
*Guide prices only. Confirm current rates when booking.
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
Book directly with the park
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Confirm current inventory, rates, fees, and seasonal details on the official booking site.
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
Location & trip guide
El Paso, Texas
Franklin Mountains State Park is in West Texas, about 8 hr from Austin. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗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. Published guide rates start at $10/night plus a $5/person entrance fee; confirm current rates when booking.
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?+
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
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 campsites are full, check cabins and vacation rentals near El Paso for your dates.