Thousand Steps Trailhead

This is a beautiful hike, relatively easy and perfect for a casual outdoor adventure. The hardest part is that many of the trails have lots of large, loose rocks, so good footwear is a must. There are several forks along the way, so you can explore different paths and make the hike as long or short as you’d like. It does get a bit windy at times, which is actually nice and helps keep you cool. The trail is dog-friendly, and there’s an honor box for payment ($5), which makes access super convenient. Many bicyclists also use these trails, and the trailhead is well-equipped for them. You’ll find air for bike tires and some tools available. There’s also a water fountain for both people and dogs, plus picnic tables where you can relax before or after your hike. Overall, it’s a fantastic spot to enjoy nature, get some exercise, and spend time outdoors!

Beautiful trail with some of the best views in El Paso! The hike definitely lives up to its name — it’s a workout, but totally worth it once you reach the top. You get a full view of the city, the Franklin Mountains, and even into Juárez. Great spot for sunrise or sunset. Bring water, good shoes, and take your time — it’s one of those trails that makes you appreciate El Paso’s desert beauty.

2nd time hiking up. It's definitely a challenging hike, but if you pace yourself and take regular breaks, you'll be fine. Incredible views from the top.

One of the best trails I’ve done in El Paso. My favorite trail to do to catch sunset 🌅 and sunrise if you continue to hike to the top of the mountains. If I got no plans to hike elsewhere, this is my running playground right here. Mostly rocky majority of the way and gets steep at the end of the hike to the bunker spot. Found couple caves on some spots while hiking here 🪨. Even though the end of the thousand step hike is at the bunker house , I continue my way up to explore more or continuing doing the ranger peak as my extra cardio walk/ run. Best to come hour prior to catch sunset here and an hour and a half to catch sunrise from the top of the mountain if you continue you’re way up from that small bedroom spot.

In seeing some of the other pictures, I think I took a detour but it was a good hike nonetheless. It can be a moderate to strenuous hike with a bit of climbing, depending on which path you take from the parking lot. It's a place to explore with several visits. Take water, good hiking shoes, shades, and maybe some snacks. Probably should use sunscreen as well. Probably not ideal for dogs if you want to explore the trails. Parking is good, no restrooms.