Pictograph Tours (Reservations Required)

Join us for a guided pictograph tour to learn more about the over 10,000 years of history at Hueco Tanks! RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Call park headquarters at (915)857-1135 to save your spots!

Join a guided tour to view some of the over 3,000 painted images and learn about the different cultural traditions whose heritage remains amongst the amazing rock formations. 

We have three different routes to choose from. While we will try to honor any special requests, please keep in mind we take into account weather and visitor capabilities for safety reasons. 

Pictograph 1 Tour

Visitors will hike into Mescalero Canyon to see both prehistoric and historic images. This tour is primarily a historic tour and requires hiking/rock scrambling. Climbing steep rock faces can be moderate to strenuous for some visitors. Total distance is about 1.25 miles and tour can be 2.5-3 hours. 

Pictograph 2 Tour

Visitors will hike into the basin area to see mostly prehistoric images attributed to the Jornada Mogollon peoples. This tour is primarily historic and requires some hiking on a mostly leveled trail. Long distance with some rock areas can be moderate for some. Total distance is 2 miles and about 3 hours long.

Pictograph 3 Tour (Fall and Winter only)

Visitors will hike around West Mountain to see prehistoric pictographs attributed to the Jornada Mogollon peoples. This tour is mostly ground level, but scrambling on rocks to view pictographs is necessary. Sun exposure is high and total distance is around 3 miles. This tour can be between 3 and 4 hours long. 

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Call park headquarters at (915)857-1135 to save your spots! Tours can be scheduled Wednesday to Sunday. Pets are not permitted on these tours. Tour start times are 9am or 9:30am.  Tours may be rescheduled or canceled if weather conditions effect visitor safety. 

Entrance + Tour Fees:

$12 per person 13 and older

$2 per person 2-12 years old

$5 per person w/ Texas State Park Pass

What to Bring: water, snacks, weather appropriate clothing, sun protection, comfortable closed-toe shoes