Afraid of heights? Get ready to muster up some courage, because the view from this mountain boardwalk in El Paso is just too breathtaking to miss out on. Check it out:
Clocking in at just 1.2 miles, Aztec Cave Trail is one of the shortest hikes Franklin Mountains State Park has to offer. It's moderately difficult, accessible year-round, and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape.
About midway through, you'll come to this wooden boardwalk spanning a steep canyon. Just the mere thought of crossing it might seem daunting, but life's most difficult tasks are often the most rewarding.
Conquer your fear of heights and embrace every exhilarating minute. Nothing induces sweaty palms and a pounding heart like standing in midair, but the trade-off makes it all worth it.
Try not to look down, instead posing for a family photo. With practically all of Texas visible in every direction, this unforgettable experience deserves to be documented.
Also located along the trail are several caves resembling the hearth of a fireplace. Hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended to access them, as the elevation does steepen quite a bit - but you definitely won't regret the extra work.
Texas truly has it all in terms of scenery: rolling hills, green pastures, pristine beaches, and towering mountains. If you're a big fan of the latter, these seven scenic mountain roads in Texas, some of the best scenic drives in Texas, showcase the mountains of the Lone Star State as you've never seen before. Something about ancient rock monoliths looming ahead in the sparse West Texas desert is truly awe-inspiring to witness.
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1. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (Big Bend National Park)
Spanning 30 miles, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive showcases the historic and geologic aspects of Big Bend National Park like you've never seen before. It features the remnants of a homestead, several scenic overlooks, hiking trails, the Castolon Historic District, and many more incredible sights. At the end of the drive is Santa Elena Canyon, an iconic vertical chasm with towering, 1500-foot limestone walls.
You won't find a better view of El Paso than what Rim Road has to offer. This winding, cliffside drive skirts up the Franklin Mountains and culminates with striking panoramic vistas that stretch all the way into Juarez. Pro-tip: visit at sunset to give your eyes a real treat. Learn more on the Visit El Paso website.
Just outside the tiny town of Sierra Blanca, Highway 80 is a wide-open West Texas desert road. With sparse vegetation and no cities for miles, you don't have much of a choice but to look at the breathtaking mountains looming ahead. Stop off at this charming teepee park to stretch your legs and perhaps enjoy a picnic lunch!
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4. U.S. 62/180 (Guadalupe Mountains National Park)
Approaching the iconic Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you'll bear witness to the highest point in all of Texas: El Capitan. At nearly 9,000 feet tall, its rocky peak dares to touch the clouds in a spectacular display. Several picnic areas allow drivers to pull over and admire the views from outside a moving vehicle.
A 75-mile stretch of Texas 118 and 166, the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop is Texas' tallest public highway. It's also easily among the most scenic drives in the state, meandering through ancient canyons, evergreen forest groves, and the McDonald Observatory. The loop takes about 1.5 hours to complete, and it's worth every minute.
FM 170, known by locals as River Road, is a waterfront drive that cuts through Big Bend Ranch State Park. It parallels the pristine Rio Grande, showcasing incomparable vistas of the rustic desert landscape. If ever you pass through the area, this little-known route definitely belongs on your bucket list.
Marathon is known as the "Gateway to Big Bend," and you'll see the first glimpses of the Chisos Mountains on U.S. 90/385, which runs through town. It's a quiet and lonesome highway, but that's exactly what makes it so hauntingly beautiful. And be sure to check out this roadside oddity while you're there.
How many of these scenic mountain drives in Texas have you checked off your bucket list? Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know, and check out our previous article to learn more about Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: This Texas Backroad Will Take You On An Amazing Adventure.
One of the best scenic overlooks in Texas showcases panoramic views that would otherwise take several hours (and lots of sweat and aching muscles) to enjoy. When you pull off at the Main Overlook Point in El Paso, it's as if you've climbed the nearly 7,200-foot-tall Franklin Mountain...yet all you've done is press the accelerator in your car.
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Summitting El Paso's eponymous Franklin Mountain is no easy task.
Located in the state park of the same name, this 7,000-foot peak is accessible via an extremely difficult, 7-mile hike with an elevation gain of nearly 2,500 feet...but what if there were a way to enjoy these breathtaking views for a fraction of the effort?
There is a scenic overlook point along Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive that affords drivers a stunning panoramic view of the desert landscape - no hiking required.
You'll find the overlook near the entrance to Franklin Mountains State Park. There are plenty of parking spots and even a few picnic tables, so pack some snacks and settle in to enjoy the scenery! If you happen to visit at night, the city lights add a whole other layer of ethereal beauty - especially when accompanied by the fiery glow of the setting sun.
The rest of the drive, also known as TX-375 Loop, is equally gorgeous. Winding through the majestic Franklin Mountain range, the drive is lined with towering peaks that stretch proudly up into the heavens for all to see and admire.
Just before Tom Mays Park is the pullover for the Main Overlook Point. There is also another scenic overlook, known as West Overlook 1, a little way up the road.
Have you gawked at the Franklin Mountains from this breathtaking scenic overlook? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience in the comments! Don't forget to check out our previous article for a great restaurant in El Paso to try while you're in town.
