Scenic Drive & Murchison Park Overlook

Scenic Drive is the easiest way to see El Paso from above. The road curls along the southern slope of the Franklin Mountains, climbing past historic homes before reaching overlooks that open over the entire borderland. From Murchison Park and the pullouts nearby, you can see downtown towers, the Rio Grande, the international bridges and the long grid of Ciudad Juarez stretching to the horizon, and on clear days the view runs to the mountains of New Mexico and Chihuahua. It is free, open all day and requires no reservation, which makes it a favorite among locals who bring out-of-town guests. Sunset is the signature time. As the sun drops behind the western mountains, the sky turns orange and pink, then the lights of two cities come on, creating a glittering carpet in the dark.

Look for the large star on the mountainside, which is lit at night and has been a city symbol for decades. The overlook areas include parking, benches and picnic tables, and photographers set up tripods for long exposures of the traffic and lights. Drive slowly, since the road is narrow in places, residential in character and used by cyclists and walkers. Some pullouts are small and can fill up on weekend evenings, so arrive before sunset.

The drive can be combined with other nearby sights. The Wyler Aerial Tramway base station is a few minutes away, the trails of Franklin Mountains State Park begin close by and the Sunset Heights historic neighborhood is on the way back toward downtown, with grand old houses and tree-lined streets. A casual itinerary might include a late afternoon hike, a drive along Scenic Drive for sunset and dinner downtown or in a neighborhood restaurant. If you are short on time, the overlook alone is worth thirty minutes.

Basic precautions apply. Do not leave valuables visible in a parked car, bring a jacket in winter, because the overlook is exposed and breezy, and respect the neighborhood by keeping noise down. In summer evenings the heat lingers, and in winter the air is crisp and clear, which often produces the best visibility.

The experience is free, the setting is memorable and the cost of entry is just a bit of time, so it is one of the best value activities in El Paso. Many visitors say it is the moment when the city, the border and the desert finally make sense together.

Bring a thermos of coffee or a picnic for the overlook, and linger after dark when the city lights are at their best. Cyclists and runners use the road, so give them space and park only in designated areas. If you enjoy night photography, a tripod and a remote shutter will help you capture the light trails on the freeways below.