Check Out Hueco Tanks Pictographs On Walking Tour In September

One of the most interesting locations you can visit in the El Paso area is Hueco Tanks State Park. The park has been designated a National Historic Landmark, something that marks them as a site that holds cultural and historical significance to the entire United States. That's pretty impressive and so is Hueco Tanks. The park has been vital to the region for thousands of years because of the natural water pooling that Native Americans were able to use to have water in the desert. That's where the 'Hueco' in the name comes in - it means 'hollows' in Spanish and there are hollows in the rock formations that collect water.

Hueco Tanks is also a place where Native Americans carved and painted pictographs for thousands of years. Tribes such as the Kiowa, Mescalero Apache, Comanche, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, and the people of the Pueblo of Isleta consider the site to be part of their heritage. Some of the estimated 3,000 to 6,000 pictographs in Hueco Tanks detail the water in the area but there are so many other amazing and beautiful pictographs to see. You can go on a pictograph tour this month at Hueco Tanks and learn about some of them.

The tour is a historic tour but it does require hiking and climbing so you'll need to be ready for that. You'll be climbing steep rock faces that Park officials say can be "moderate to strenuous" for some visitors. You'll definitely need to take that into account if you go out. Make sure that you take the proper gear as well. You'll need water to keep you hydrated throughout the 2 1/2 - 3 hour hike, snacks to keep your energy up, clothing that you can walk and hike in, shoes that you are comfortable walking in but that will also offer you some traction when you are climbing (this is no time for flip flops), and sun protection like wide brimmed hats for the shade, sunglasses, and sunscreen because there is very little shade in the park.

The pictograph tour is Sunday, September 12. You will need to make reservations by calling (915) 857-1135. The tickets are $9 per person 13 years old and over, $2 per person 12 years old and under, and $2 per person for TSPP holders. You can click here for all the information and any other details you might need.