5 Serene Spots around El Paso for Outdoor Mindfulness
El Paso’s sunny climate and unique topography make it the perfect place to take advantage of the outdoors and move your mindfulness practice outside. Being in nature can lessen our tendency for mind wandering, helping us to become present-minded. Here are some spots around El Paso that we believe will enhance your mindfulness practice outdoors.
Rio grande riverpark trail
This trail parallels the Rio Grande river and stretches 21 miles from the New Mexico State line in Anthony, TX to Country Club Road in El Paso. It’s a wide cement trail that’s level which makes it great for bikes, running, or walking. There are spots all along the trail for breaks/stationary meditation. Part of what makes it such a great option for mindfulness are the expansive views of the Franklin mountains to the East and the mesa’s of New Mexico to the West. The Rio Grand is a beautiful scene for bird watching and there’s unique wildflowers along many parts of the trail. The length of the trail makes it perfect for long distance runs/jogs if you’re training for a half or full marathon. In general the trail is known to be quiet and serene. It’s open year round and pet friendly if you’re a dog walker. There are a few things to note about this trail. There’s little shade, so this location might be a great option for a cloudy day. Also, Google’s directions to this trail lead you to the middle of a neighborhood with no trail access. A few entry points that work better are Mary Frances Keisling Park and Valley Creek Park.
Wakeem/ Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler Canyon
Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve was designed to protect the Franklin’s stunning Arroyos. Arroyos are the distinctive channels carved into the slopes of the Franklin Mountains by flowing water of long periods of time. They create ribbon-like designs and offer havens of serenity through many established neighborhoods in El Paso. They also serve as important conduits from the mountains to the Rio Grande. The preserve is home to many species of plants animals and birds and is open to the public for walking, meditation, wildlife observation, and other low-impact activities. In order to maintain the integrity of the preserve, there are no plans to construct any facilities or additional trails. The single mile of Resler arroyo soils and plants provide necessary filtration that boosts the quality of water in this rare desert wetland.
Red sands
Red Sands is one of El Paso’s best kept secrets. It doesn’t even officially exist. Locals will often refer to it as “the dunes”, but it’s not recognized as a national, state, or local park. It is similar to White Sands in New Mexico, but you won’t catch anyone on sleds. There’s no defined trails, just gorgeous, unique red sand as far as the eye can see. It’s impossible to get tired of the views, as they’re constantly changing. El Paso’s intense winds keep the sizes and shapes of the dunes in a perpetual state of variance. Riding ATVs, dirt bikes, and Jeeps is the most popular use of the terrain. It’s also one of the only places to camp in El Paso, and has a wide open view of the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Most people take the necessities with them (i.e. water, food, sunblock, etc.), but there is one shop, the Snack Shack (the rent an ATV building) if you find yourself in need, so you don’t have to drive back into the city.
El Paso Municipal Rose Garden
El Paso’s Rose Garden is located at 1702 N. Copia Street, at Aurora, and it is generally open to the public daily from March 1st through November 30th, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Considering that this spot is relatively small and in the heart of the city, it’s a great place to fit outdoor mindfulness into your normal schedule, using only 10 or 15 minutes of your day. The garden is suitable for just about anyone with wide, handicap-accessible walkways, raised beds, a waterfall, and lots of trees for shade. At any given point, there’s nearly 1,500 rose bushes with more than 450 different rose varieties. New roses are added every year. April and October are the best months to visit with the roses in full bloom. The rose bushes, koi pond, and flowing water offer serenity like nowhere else in the city.
Thousand Steps Trail
El Paso’s Thousand Steps Trail is a 3.7 mile loop trail that is recommended for more experienced hikers. The trail is almost always breezy and has awesome views. It’s very rocky which makes it easy to twist your ankle, so it’s a good idea to wear hiking shoes. This is a dry side of the mountain and doesn’t have a lot of diverse vegetation, but plenty of classic dessert beauty such as agaves, cacti, and daleas. The trail has several variations. You can go to the B-36 Bomber crash site or even hike to Ranger Peak which gives a 360 degree view of the city. The mountains are a particularly wonderful place to engage in walking or hiking meditations. The symbolism of overcoming mountains can be taken literally in this context, and mindfulness is enhanced by soaking in all the peace and tranquility of being on top of a mountain.