Overview
The Franklin Mountains are a desert mountain range that splits El Paso into east and west sides. Much of the range lies within Franklin Mountains State Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
History
The mountains were long a landmark for travelers on the route through the Paso del Norte. When a developer began cutting roads into the mountains in the late 1970s, local conservationists persuaded the Texas Legislature to create the state park in 1979. Texas Parks and Wildlife acquired the land in 1981 and opened the park to the public in 1987.
Today
The park offers hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing, and the Trans Mountain Road crosses the range.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Franklin Mountains State Parken.wikipedia.org
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: park historytpwd.texas.gov
Facts checked against the sources above in October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.