El Paso is an incredibly sunny place, enjoying an average of over 300 days of sunshine per year. Though you could take a walk at one of the city’s many small parks or spend some time looking at the street art downtown, if getting some sun is your goal, you should head to a few specific spots in the city. Try one of these six best places in El Paso to enjoy the sun.
Franklin Mountains State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park spans over 24,000 acres, making it the largest urban park in the United States. If you want some sunshine and are up for some hiking, this is the place to be. The park is within a 15-minute drive of the downtown El Paso area, and once you arrive, you can explore over 100 miles of trails. The park is also popular for mountain biking and all-terrain vehicles, so if you’re craving something more athletic, you can enjoy a challenging ride while you soak up some sunshine.
Thousand Steps Trail
If you’re looking for a moderate hike, pack your things and go to the trailhead for Thousand Step Trail. This path is part of Franklin Mountains State Park, and you can access it off N. Stanton Street near the Camelot Corporate Condominiums. But be prepared for a challenge. This trail is ranked as a moderate hike, and the steps get steep enough at some points that you’ll have to use your hands to ascend. Your efforts will be rewarded with some warm sun and an excellent view of El Paso.
Scenic Drive Overlook
If you want one of the best views of El Paso without having to hike for it, go to Scenic Drive Overlook. Scenic Drive Overlook is south of Franklin Mountains State Park off Scenic Drive above Golden Hill. The area is adorned with benches for sitting and paths for walking, and the view on clear, sunny days is incredible — you can see all the way across the border into Cuidad Juarez.
El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens
Part of Keystone Heritage Park, the El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens is an excellent spot for a light walk, stopping to smell the flowers, and admiring El Paso’s towering mountains in the distance. The outdoor gardens feature yuccas, prickly pears, cholla, and other native flora.
El Paso Municipal Rose Garden
El Paso Municipal Rose Garden is another spot with beautiful foliage. On the edge of Memorial Park, you’ll find that visiting this intimate four-acre garden is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. More than 1,500 roses representing 430 varieties are on display at this lush park. Gardeners add new roses ever year, and volunteers carefully maintain the plants. El Paso Municipal Rose Garden is open to the public March through November from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ready for some sun? El Paso is a gorgeous city, and it’s best appreciated on one of its many bright and warm afternoons. Check the forecast — on the next sunny day, plan a trip out to one of these excellent spots.
Image by VisitElPaso licensed under CC BY 2.0
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