State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park Sits Inside El Paso City Limits

Franklin Mountains State Park covers nearly 27,000 acres of desert mountain terrain inside El Paso, with over 100 miles of trails.

El Paso County The Great Outdoors

Franklin Mountains State Park is an unusually large urban park. It covers almost 27,000 acres — about 40 square miles — entirely within city limits. Trails for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing weave through Chihuahuan Desert landscape and granite ridgelines. You are 15 minutes from downtown but the terrain is genuinely rugged.

Day entry is $5 for adults. Kids 12 and under get in free. Camping is available but has no water or electricity hookups. Book in advance — the park reaches capacity regularly, especially on weekends in spring, summer, and fall. Bring water; the desert heat and dry air are serious. The park gate opens at 8 a.m.

Source to confirm: TPWD — Franklin Mountains State Park

More El Paso County notes

Property Tax Basics

Who Appraises Your Home for Taxes in El Paso County

The El Paso Central Appraisal District sets the value on your property, and that value drives what you owe in property taxes.

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Homestead Exemption

How to Lower Your Tax Bill with a Homestead Exemption

If your home is your primary residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of your property.

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Appraisal Cap

Your Appraised Value Can Only Rise 10% Per Year with a Homestead

Texas law limits how fast a homestead property's taxable value can grow each year, which protects owners in fast-rising markets.

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Unincorporated County

Living Outside City Limits in El Paso County Means No Zoning

If your property is in unincorporated El Paso County — outside any city — there are no county zoning rules and the county cannot issue building permits.

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