Where is the Aztec Caves Trail located?

The Aztec Caves Trail is located in Franklin Mountains State Park, about 20 minutes north of central El Paso, Texas. The trailhead is near the Aztec Caves Trailhead parking area within the park.

How do I get to the Aztec Caves Trailhead?

Enter Franklin Mountains State Park and follow the road past the Visitor Center, where you pay your $5 per person fee. Continue driving until you see the right turn for Aztec Caves. A large parking area is next to the trailhead.

Is there water or restrooms at the Aztec Caves Trailhead?

There is no water available at the Aztec Caves Trailhead. You can fill up water bottles and use restrooms at the Franklin Mountains Visitor Center before starting your hike.

When is the best time to hike the Aztec Caves Trail?

The best time to hike the Aztec Caves Trail is from fall through spring when temperatures are cooler. Summer heat in the Franklin Mountains can be extreme and dangerous.

How difficult is the Aztec Caves Trail?

The Aztec Caves Trail is considered moderate. It has a steady climb with some short, steep sections near the caves. Using the newer trail makes it easier and safer than the original steep route.

Are there snakes or wildlife on the trail?

Yes, rattlesnakes are present in warmer months, typically spring through fall. They usually avoid people but may be seen sunning or crossing the trail. Give them space and avoid moving rocks.

What gear should I bring for the Aztec Caves hike?

Bring at least one liter of water, sun protection, and good trail shoes or runners. Trekking poles can help on the steeper parts. In winter, the caves face north and can stay icy—use traction devices like micro-spikes if needed.

Why is it called Aztec Caves?

The caves have no connection to the Aztecs. They were likely used by the local Apache. The large caves are air pockets in ancient volcanic rock, part of formations that are nearly a billion years old.

Aztec Cave Trail Guide

The Aztec Cave Trail is a short, steep hike in Franklin Mountains State Park that climbs to a set of shallow caves with wide views over El Paso. It’s an easy, rewarding hike through class Chihuahuan Desert terrain that ends with one of the best overlooks in the park. In this guide, I’ll cover how to get there, what to expect on the hike, and what makes Aztec Caves worth the effort.

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated November 10, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 1.7 miles
Time: 1 hour
Total Climbing: 450 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: Leashed
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Franklin Mountains State Park

Where is Aztec Cave Trail?

Aztec Caves Trail Location — Aztec Cave is located about 20 minutes north of central El Paso, TX.

Trailhead Address:

Aztec Cave Trailhead, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX 79911

Fees:

$5 per person, cash or card payable at Visitor Center

This hike is in Franklin Mountains State Park, and the gates are generally open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m, but check the park website for the latest.

Aztec Caves Visitor Center — When you first pull into the park, you'll come to the visitor center. This is where you pay your entry fee.

Aztec Caves Visitor Center Inside — There are some cool interpretive displays inside.

If you need to fill up with water or go to the bathroom, do it at the Visitor Center. There is no water at the trailhead.

Aztec Caves Trailhead Drive — Once you leave the visitor center drive up the road through the park until you see the right turn for Aztec Caves.

Aztec Caves Parking — There's a large parking area by the trailhead. If you are looking for a toilet, it's farther down in the camping area.

Aztec Caves Trail Pass — Leave your pass on the dashboard while you hike.

Staying Safe

Aztec Caves Extreme Heat Warning — Unfortunately people have died hiking in the Franklin Mountains. The heat is your biggest risk.

Fall to Spring

Best time to hike – cooler temps and clear skies

Summer

Heat can be extreme - check temps before leaving

According to Public Health Watch, "From 2022 through 2024, one male hiker died each year in El Paso’s Franklin Mountains. Two of the hikers were visiting El Paso from out of state at the time of their deaths." So heat is a real thing here, and if the temperatures are going to be high, this is not the place to be.

Other than that, there's not much to worry about on the hike. It's the desert, so there will be rattlesnakes out there in warmer months, usually from spring through fall. They will avoid people but you might see them out sunning or crossing the trail. Just give them plenty of room and walk around them if possible. Avoid moving rocks around, they'll shelter in rock crevices to stay safe and to do their version of hibernation in the winter.

Gear Recommendations

Aztec Caves Trail Navigation — There's not a lot of junctions on the hike but it does help to have the trail loaded on your phone or watch to make sure you're in the right place.

What to bring on this hike depends on the season.

When it's warm, bring at least 1 liter of water on the hike, as well as sun protection.
Trekking poles can be helpful if you have them (but I wouldn't buy them just for this hike).
Good trail runners are the best bet 0n this trail.
In the winter if there's snow or ice, Aztec Cave is facing north, so it will stay slick longer outside of direct sunlight. In this case it's best to do the hike another time or use traction devices like micro-spikes.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
AllTrails Plus: Offline maps on your phone with the Plus level
Full November 2025 Gear List →

Aztec Cave Trail Maps

There are two trails to Aztec Cave. The original is shorter but steep and not fun to come down; lots of loose soil that you can easily slip on. So in this guide I'll show you the way I recommend doing it, which is the new trail. It's slightly longer but much easier to hike on.

View Interactive Map

View Map Here on HikingGuy

Interactive Map

Print Map, Work With It Yourself

View Hike on CalTopo

Bring the Track to Any GPS

Download the GPX File

Aztec Cave Hike Directions

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 1 — The Aztec Caves Trail starts just to the left of the trailhead sign.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 2 — Shortly after the start is a split. MAKE THE RIGHT. To the left is the old trail, which, according to the visitor center, shouldn't be used anymore.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 5 — You'll see a sign shortly after the turn confirming that you're going in the right direction.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 6 — Watch your lower legs, some plants can be overgrown on the trail.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 7 — After about 0.25 miles the trail starts going up some little switchbacks.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 8 — In the middle of the switchbacks you'll see a clearing to the right. Check out the views and continue on the trail to the left.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 9 — At the viewpoint you'll see some mountains to the southwest, including Mt. Cristo Rey on the border near Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas. On the top of this peak is a huge statue of Jesus.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 10 — The trail stretches along the side of the ridge toward the caves.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 11 — As you approach the caves you'll see a (rare) waterfall.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 12 — At the end of the trail there's a steep section up to the caves.

Aztecs in Texas? No, the caves have nothing to do with the Aztecs but were likely used by the local Apache. These big caves are actually air pockets in ancient volcanic rock. And although the Franklin Mountains rose about 60–70 million years ago through tectonic uplift, some of the rocks exposed here are nearly a billion years old, back when life on Earth was limited to microscopic single-celled organisms.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 13 — You can explore inside the caves.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 14 — The caves are huge and offer great views out to the surrounding mountains.

Aztec Caves Trail Directions 16 — When you leave, make sure you stay left to go back down the new trail. The old trail is steeper and not fun to go down.

Cris Hazzard at Aztec Caves — That's the hike, enjoy!

Want to explore some more? There are lots of great trails in the park, including the city’s high point, North Franklin Mountain at 7,192 feet. A peak so high that it has its own weather report! The Franklin Mountains aren’t technically part of the Rockies, though they’re often called "the southern end of the Rockies" because of their height.

Originally published November 10, 2025