Anthony has this underrated quality where mornings feel wide open and quiet, and by afternoon everything El Paso has going on is right at your fingertips. Slow start, big payoff. A genuinely elite combo.
Staying at Great Escapes El Paso means there is no need to color-code a spreadsheet for every hour of the trip. Pour the coffee, pick one thing that sounds fun, get in the car, and let the day do its thing. Here are a few ideas for building a day trip from Anthony that does not require a group chat meltdown.
The quick answer
Anthony, TX sits just north of El Paso, which makes it an easy base for day trips. From Great Escapes El Paso, highlights include Franklin Mountains State Park about 13 miles away for hiking, Scenic Drive Overlook around 18 miles for the big city view, El Paso's art and history museums about 18 miles out, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park about 24 miles for a slow nature day, and Hueco Tanks State Park about 41 miles for rock art and climbing. Local restaurants in and around Anthony cover dinner on the way back.
Start With Something Close By
If spending the whole afternoon in the car is not the vibe, keep the first stop close. Wet 'n' Wild Waterworld is only about 1.5 miles from the park, which is about as low-effort as a day trip gets. With kids along, or honestly just to beat the Texas heat solo, it turns an ordinary afternoon into a fun one. Worth noting it is a seasonal waterpark, so it is a warm-weather pick, not a January one.
More in a shopping mood than a swimming one? Head into El Paso. The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso are about 8 miles out and Sunland Park Mall is around 10 miles away. Sometimes an unbothered afternoon of browsing is exactly the reset a few days of driving calls for.
Spend a Day in the Franklin Mountains
For anyone who would rather lace up hiking boots than sit indoors, Franklin Mountains State Park is calling, about 13 miles from Great Escapes. This is the rugged, wide-open side of West Texas up close, one of the largest urban parks in the country. Bring more water than feels necessary, do not rush, and just enjoy being somewhere that feels a world away from the highway for a few hours.
And that shower back at the RV that evening? It is going to feel incredible. Earned, even.
Catch the View From Scenic Drive
Want a day built more around the view than the step count? Scenic Drive Overlook, about 18 miles from the park, is the easy win. It is the classic El Paso photo spot, perfect for pulling over, taking in just how huge the desert landscape really is, and getting the kind of skyline shot that makes the camera roll look way more impressive than the effort required. Golden hour there is a whole experience.
Slow Things Down at Rio Bosque
Not every day trip needs a packed itinerary, and Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, about 24 miles out, is a good reminder. It is a completely different side of the region, quieter and slower, with wetlands and open sky that make it easy to just wander for a while. Bring a camera, take the time, and let the day move at whatever pace feels right. Very main-character-walking-montage energy, minus the crowd.
Make It a History and Culture Day
If the weather turns or the mood just calls for something different, El Paso's museums deliver. The El Paso Museum of Art and the El Paso Museum of History are both around 18 miles from the park. The Chamizal National Memorial is about 19 miles out, and the National Border Patrol Museum sits a bit farther at around 24 miles.
A morning at one museum, lunch somewhere in between, and an afternoon at a second stop makes for a full, low-stress day that does not involve a single hiking boot.
Go a Little Farther to Hueco Tanks
Got a whole day to spend? Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site is worth the drive, about 41 miles from the park. It is known for ancient rock art, world-class bouldering, and desert scenery that rewards taking it slow. One heads-up: Hueco Tanks limits daily access and uses a reservation system, with guided tours for some areas, so booking ahead is a must rather than a maybe. Give it real time instead of rushing through just to say you went.
Come Back to Anthony for Dinner
After a full day out, nobody wants the night to end in a frantic "where are we even eating" spiral. Good news: the options are close. Andale Mexican Restaurant and Cantina is about 7 miles from the park, and Great American Steakhouse and Corralito Steak House are both around 6 to 7 miles out. The State Line Bar-B-Q is roughly 10 miles away, and for anyone willing to go a little farther, Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch is about 28 miles out and genuinely worth the trip.
Tacos, steak, or barbecue, that is a strong way to close out a day before heading back to the site.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best day trips from Anthony, TX? Franklin Mountains State Park for hiking (about 13 miles), Scenic Drive Overlook for the view (about 18 miles), El Paso's art and history museums (about 18 miles), Rio Bosque Wetlands Park for a slow nature day (about 24 miles), and Hueco Tanks State Park for rock art and climbing (about 41 miles).
How far is Great Escapes El Paso from El Paso attractions? Most sit within an easy drive. Wet 'n' Wild Waterworld is about 1.5 miles, the Outlet Shoppes about 8 miles, Franklin Mountains State Park about 13 miles, and downtown-area museums about 18 to 19 miles.
Do you need reservations for Hueco Tanks? Yes. Hueco Tanks limits daily access and uses a reservation system, with guided tours required for some areas, so it is best to book ahead before making the roughly 41-mile drive.
Is there a good day trip for families? Wet 'n' Wild Waterworld, about 1.5 miles away, is an easy family pick in warm months, and the Franklin Mountains and El Paso museums work well for a mix of ages.
Where can you eat near Anthony after a day trip? Andale Mexican Restaurant and Cantina (about 7 miles), Great American Steakhouse and Corralito Steak House (about 6 to 7 miles), State Line Bar-B-Q (about 10 miles), and Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch (about 28 miles).
Is Anthony a good base for exploring El Paso? Yes. Anthony sits just north of El Paso near I-10, so Great Escapes El Paso puts hiking, museums, shopping, and desert parks all within an easy day-trip radius.
Base Your El Paso Adventures in Anthony
The best thing about day trips from Anthony is that overplanning is optional. Pick a direction, choose whatever sounds good that day, give it enough time to actually enjoy, then head back and do absolutely nothing for the rest of the evening.
Plan your stay at Great Escapes El Paso in Anthony, or call the park at (915) 603-3105, and set up a home base for exploring West Texas at your own pace.