The four mountains that comprise Hueco Tanks State Park are located 32 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas, in the desert basin littered with pockmarked boulders. The park is an eco-niche, supporting plant and animal life that aren’t normally found nearby. The park is also a historic site, being a popular spot for early Americans to find water. They left nearly 5,000 pictographs behind on the rock faces. But it isn’t the unique ecosystem or historic artwork that draws the majority of visitors to Hueco Tanks — it is the rock climbing.
Hueco Tanks is famous for being one of the world’s best bouldering sites. It is a popular destination for athletes from Europe and Asia, especially in the winter months. The mountains’ rocks are full of indents and pockets (hueco-hole or tank in Spanish), making them ideal for finger and foot holds, and climbers of all levels and grades can find plenty of problems.
The park camping fee is $7, which includes showers, although many climbers prefer the community and expertise offered at the nearby Hueco Rock Ranch. Because of the unique cultural and natural significance of the site, only the north mountain is open to visitors without a guide, and then only 70 per day. You can make reservations or try your luck with one of the 10 walk-up spots. The other three mountains are open to guided groups of up to 10 people. Only 16 groups are allowed per day. So make sure you plan before heading to the park in hopes to get some climbing in.
It is unclear how long the site will stay open for rock climbers, as some cultural authorities are worried about preserving the eco-niche and heritage, so get there while you still can. Whether you’re a professional climber or just starting out, Hueco Tanks is the mecca for bouldering.
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