The Access Fund Survival Guide to Hueco Tanks, TX Thanks to years of strong advocacy by the Access Fund Hueco is open for climbing! Here are a few tips for making your climbing experience at Hueco more enjoyable. Hueco has a long, and somewhat troubled, climbing history. A few years ago, climbing was nearly banned throughout the park, due to concerns about impacts to rock art and natural resources. Climbers did not help themselves by breaking the rules from time to time. Please, obey all park rules, be respectful to park staff, and keep a low profile (i.e. no cursing, yelling, or boom boxes). This will help the Access Fund improve access to areas of the Park currently closed. Directions: Hueco Tanks State Historic Park is located in west Texas, near the city of El Paso. Head 32 miles northeast of El Paso on US Highway 62/180, and turn north on Ranch Road 2775. Follow signs to the park entrance. Hours of Operation: Hueco Tanks is open 7 days a week, year-round from 8 AM to 6 PM during winter, and 7 AM to 7 PM (Fri-Sun) and 8 AM to 6 PM (Mon-Thurs) in the summer. You must be out of the park by closing time or you may be issued a citation! Park Entry Requirements: Once per year, before you can climb at Hueco you must watch an orientation video to get a Visitor Orientation Card. Reservations & Fees: There is a $4/day entry fee for the Park. Those who visit Hueco more than 13 times per year may want to purchase the $50 Texas Conservation Passport. Before visiting Hueco you should arrange for two things: (1) camping, and (2) access. Both require reservations obtained from one of these two numbers: - Hueco Tanks State Historic Park: 915-857-1135 - Texas State Parks Central Reservations in Austin: 512-389-8900 The Park is divided into two zones: the self-guided area (North Mountain) and the guide-only area (East and West Mountains). To go anywhere in the Park youll want a reservation (only 70 people are allowed on North Mountain at one time, although you may get lucky and obtain a park entry pass as a walk-in dont count on this during peak visitation periods such as winter and spring holidays). For East and/or West Mountain you must reserve a spot on a guided tour. Camping is available in the Park for $10 per nightcall the Park for reservations. Camping in the Park includes sites with water and/or electricity ($2 more), and restrooms with showers. The disadvantage of staying in the Park is that it closes at either 6 PM or 7 PM (depending on the season) after which you cant leave your site. Theres a 6 person and 2-vehicle limit per siteno fires or charcoal. Campers can only get reservations for 3 days in a row; otherwise campsites may be available on a walk-in basis. Alternatives to the Hueco Campground include the nearby Hueco Rock Ranch, which offers camping and rooms. The HRR has a kitchen, slack lines, campfire pits, and a community room with a library and TV. Call 915-855-0142 for prices and availability. The venerable Petes Quonset Hut (915-857-6336) is still open, and for a $2.00 per night donation you can set up your tent there, with no amenities. Access: To make sure you can get into the park, make a reservation in advance: 60 of the North Mountain slots can be reserved up to six months in advance, leaving 10 walk-in spots. If North Mountain is booked full, wait around at the entrance, as the Park will free up slots when people leave and when people who have reservations dont show up. All reservations must be secured with a credit card to cover the $4 entry fee. During the peak winter bouldering season, its a good idea to camp at the Hueco Campground if you want to get one of the 10 unreserved passes. If you dont stay at the Hueco Campground, youll need to call Austin (512-389-8900) for North Mountain reservations; if you do stay in the Park they can reserve you a North Mountain slot there. East and West Mountain Reservations: Access to East and West Mountains is allowed if accompanied by a state-certified guide. Guided tours are led either by volunteer guides, commercial guides, or Park staff, and can be scheduled Wednesday thru Sunday depending on guide availability. Tours are filled up on a first come, first served basis and are limited to 10 people. The Park allows seven guided tours at any one time. Call the Park to reserve a volunteer guide (915-857-1135). Commercial Guides can also get you into East and West Mountains, but youll have to pay a bit more. The advantage of a commercial guide is that these tours are tailored to your desires and you can stay out all day long. Call the Park for a list of current commercial guides and their contact information. Park Staff occasionally lead bouldering tours when no other guides are available. These tours leave at 10 AM and only run for a couple of hours.
