Overview
Hueco Tanks State Historic Site is located in Texas, approximately 23 mi from El Paso.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 34°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby El Paso)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ELP El Paso International Airport, El Paso — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LRU Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces — 58 mi away. Directions
East: Driving out of the Guadalupe Mountains west, about one hour. West: Driving from El Paso, go east on Montana Ave., US Route 180, for about 23 miles. Turn north on Ranch-Market 2775 until you see the site.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Hueco Tanks is an area of significant historical interest, and also an incredibly beautiful natural area. The "tanks" are reservoirs of water that fill up during the rare desert rains. Hueco Tanks is also well known for its rock climbing areas.
History
The site has been visited by Native Americans for 10,000 years, as evidenced by a Folsom point arrowhead found here. Indian paintings are hidden in its caves.
Landscape
The syenite boulders form nooks and crannies which rise hundreds of feet above the desert floor. See the picture above to get a sense of the experience of a world-famous climbing site.
Flora and fauna
The site is part of the Chihuahuan desert. Mammoths rubbed their backs on the boulders at one spot (ask about this on the ranger tour).
Climate
Desert. Hot in the summer, cool in the winter.
Get in
East: Driving out of the Guadalupe Mountains west, about one hour. West: Driving from El Paso, go east on Montana Ave., US Route 180, for about 23 miles. Turn north on Ranch-Market 2775 until you see the site.
Fees and permits
It costs $5 per person to visit the park for any length of time. Children under 12 are free.
Much of the park is restricted and requires signing up for special ranger-guided tours to see certain areas. In addition, during inclement weather, the park may be partially closed off. It's best to take the ranger-guided tour to appreciate its features.
Get around
All of Hueco Tanks is best viewed by foot. It is not a very wheelchair-accessible area and for persons with handicaps, much of the park will be inaccessible. If you move slowly and take time to rest on the many boulders, you can still enjoy the park.
See
- Historic sites and art
- A landscape teeming with desert flora and fauna
Do
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Ranger-guided tours
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Backcountry
Nearby
El Paso
City / town · 78 listings · 29 mi away
Santa Teresa
City / town · 1 listings · 35 mi away
Las Cruces
City / town · 38 listings · 51 mi away
Lincoln National Forest
Park · 1 listings · 66 mi away
Alamogordo
City / town · 28 listings · 68 mi away
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Park · 8 listings · 69 mi away
Cloudcroft
City / town · 25 listings · 74 mi away
My experience
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