El Paso, Texas is located in the extreme western corner of the state and is a US border crossing point into Mexico. El Paso covers 250 square miles of Texas and is home to more than 606,000 residents. To reach El Paso from the eastern edge of the state, a person would have to drive eight hundred and forty seven miles across Texas, a distance that, if headed north or east, would take them through several states instead of just one.
El Paso is made up of some very rugged, desert terrain. Several mountain regions surround the city, including the Juarez Mountains, the Franklin Mountains, and the Hueco Mountains. Franklin Mountains Park is the largest urban park in the country and covers over 24,000 acres. Located in the park is the famous North Franklin Peak, which towers over the city at a height of 7,000 feet. From the top, visitors can see sixty miles in all directions.
Another point of natural interest in El Paso is the Hueco Tanks State Historic Site. This site is famous for over two hundred pictographs and hieroglyphics left cave walls by Native Americans and prehistoric settlers in the region. The Hueco Tanks State Historic Site also offers camping, star gazing, nature studies, and guided tours. Rock climbing is a popular activity in this area, which also includes several remnants of volcanic activity in the surrounding caves and cliffs.
El Paso has some modernized attractions, aside from the natural ones. Western Playland is an amusement park that offers traditional amusement rides such as roller coasters and go carts. The city also boasts one of the most impressive zoos in the state - The El Paso Zoo. There are two museums of note in the El Paso area. The El Paso Museum of Art has a variety of permanent and traveling exhibits as well as educational programs and classes. The War Eagles Air Museum plays an important role in the preservation of military aircraft. The museum houses several aircrafts from World War II and the Korean War. The War Eagles Museum also offers several interactive displays and exhibits.