Situated in southwestern Texas, the city of El Paso offers tourists a variety of natural landscapes. The northern region of the city is home to Franklin Mountains State Park, which features climbing opportunities and hiking trails. Fishing and riverside picnicking activities are available on the banks of the Rio Grande. El Paso is also in the heart of the one of the largest deserts in the world, the Chihuahuan Desert.
Situated in northwestern El Paso, the Franklin Mountains is a mountain range that stretches from El Paso to eastern New Mexico. The tallest mountain in the Franklin Mountains is North Franklin Mountain, which stands at 7,200 feet. Most of the mountains are made up of sedimentary rock and features rocks dating back to the Precambrian era, approximately one billion years old. Franklin Mountains is within Franklin Mountains State Park, a recreation area with hiking trails and climbing opportunities. Founded in 1979, Franklin Mountains State Park also offers scenic driving routes and picnicking areas. The primary route to the Franklin Mountains State Park is through Texas State Highway 375.
The Rio Grande is a river that runs along the southern edge of El Paso. This 1,900-mile long river originates in the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado and serves as a natural border between the United States and Mexico for much of its length. The river finally drains into the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas. El Paso rests in a section of the Rio Grande Basin, which has a total land area of 182,000 square-miles. The Rio Grande Basin is home to a variety of wildlife species and the entire human population of El Paso. Several recreation areas, including Ascarate Park and Chamizal National Memorial, are on the northern banks of the Rio Grande. These urban parks offer chances for fishing in the river and walking paths.
The city of El Paso is surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, a desert biome that includes western Texas, eastern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico. It is the largest desert in North America, spreading over 200,000 square miles. This desert region is home to plant species such as the yucca and honey mesquite, and wildlife species include the Mexican gray wolf. The Chihuahuan Desert is home to the Guadalupe Mountains State Park, which is less than two hours from El Paso. Most of this desert region is at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level.
