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Franklin Mountains State Park is in the backyard of the city of El Paso and the largest urban wilderness park in the continental United States. It’s also home to some of Texas’ finest scenery and oldest rocks. Colorful layers of granite, sandstone and limestone create candy-store variety in its mountain sides. A brilliant view of this effect can be yours with a ride on the unique Wyler Aerial Tramway. Even a drive on the Transmountain Road has views of beautifully layered roadside rock.
If you want to get up close and hands on, hiking is the perfect way to take in the variety of scenery and rocks. More than 100 miles of trails can be found in the park and there’s something for every level of hiker. If you want to get far away and hands on, there’s a hang gliding/paragliding launch area that will help you find that one-in-a-million view. Whether you’re going up, down, across or above Franklin Mountains, be sure to take your camera!
If you want to learn more, Franklin Mountains is the cover story of this month’s Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine as they begin celebrating 2016 as the “Year of State Parks.”
Read the Story
Now Playing: Texas Birdsongs
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Night and day, there’s always a bird singing somewhere in Texas. Be it a Bewick’s wren belting out a song of highs and lows, or the sweet melodies of a Bachman’s sparrow, birdsongs add depth to our lives. Check out our bird song playlist - we’ve put together our Top 10 which includes audio of their actual songs.
Top 10 Bird Songs
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Ready to take it to the next level? Join us for the 20th Annual Great Texas Birding Classic. The world’s biggest and wildest birdwatching tournament takes place during the spring migration, 4/15 to 5/15. Open to all ages and levels of bird lovers, the registration fees create funding for conservation projects. So gather a team and join us!
Learn More
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 There’s something special about hiking into nature, then pausing at a sweet spot to take it in. It’s even more fun if you share it with a sweetheart. This Valentine’s Day, plan a hike and picnic at a state park! Some parks have hiking events on that weekend, or you can go off on your own. Climb to a scenic view, seek out a bird’s serenade, or relax next to the water for your picnic - you’ll find hikes for all skill levels at your state parks. We’ll leave the romance to you.
Find a Hiking Event
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 How does a bewitching night under the stars sound? Take your Valentine out for some stargazing in a state park and discover just how romantic our wide Texas skies can be! We’ve even got night sky tips to help you make the evening more fascinating. Add a campfire to spark up the romance and you should both have stars in your eyes before the night is done. We’ve also got ongoing star viewing events in many state parks for any future dates.
Best Night Sky Views
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Yes! Free Trout Fishing in Parks
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Outdoor Photography Classes for You
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 Basics of Outdoor Photography at McKinney Falls State Park: Learn how to take eye-catching outdoor photos. You'll get hands-on practice in a beautiful setting and an instructor whose photos have been featured in National Geographic Adventure, The Travel Channel and Outside magazine. Class is Saturday, 1/30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Learn More
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 Basics of Wildlife
Photography at Inks Lake State Park: State Parks are perfect places to find and photograph
wildlife. This class is held in a state park to teach you basic wildlife
composition techniques as well as classic methods for getting the best shots of
the various types of wildlife. Class is Saturday, 2/27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Learn More
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