Activities
Learn more about:
- Exploring Hueco Tanks
- Viewing pictographs and petroglyphs
- Camping
- Rock Climbing
- Hiking
- Bird-watching
- Picnicking
Exploring Hueco Tanks
Self-guided area
Due to the fragile nature of the park’s resources, only 70 people can enter the self-guided area at one time. We reach that limit regularly from November through March and on weekends and holidays. Once that happens, no one can enter the area until other visitors leave.
Know before you go:
To avoid a wait, call (512) 389-8911 to reserve a day for your visit. Permits cannot be reserved online.
Booking policies:
- Each person seeking a permit must have a Reserve America account. Create accounts online or by calling (512) 389-8911. You can only create accounts for people in your household. Those not in your household will need to create their own accounts.
- You can reserve permits for up to four people (including yourself). You will need a phone number or email address associated with each person's account to reserve a permit for them.
- We recommend creating accounts ahead of time to avoid long phone calls during the busy season.
- You may only cancel permits reserved under your account.
Tours
One of the best ways to explore Hueco Tanks is on a tour. Your guide will show you the area, answer your questions, and explain the park’s natural and cultural history.
- You can only access West Mountain, East Mountain and East Spur with a tour guide.
- Request tours for Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the year by calling (915) 857-1135 before your visit. Due to staff time constraints, we can only give tours if requested early enough to confirm a guide.
Viewing pictographs and petroglyphs
Early visitors left images on the rocks at Hueco Tanks. The images connect us to the mystery, ceremony and conflict of at least three cultures and more than 1,500 years. Visit our History page to learn more.
See images in the self-guided area or on a guided tour.
- Call (512) 389-8911 to make a reservation to visit the self-guided area.
- To request a guided tour, call (915) 857-1135 before your visit. We offer three tours with different routes and difficulty. Tours are Wednesday through Sunday, if a guide is available.
Know before you go:
- Don’t touch the pictographs or petroglyphs; oil from your skin can damage them. Avoid brushing against them with your clothes or belongings.
- Making rubbings from pictographs or petroglyphs, or adding marks to the walls, is vandalism.
- Comply with state and federal laws. These include Texas State Parks Regulations and the Texas Antiquities Code.
- Bring a camera, water and a pack to keep hands free while scrambling up or down rocks.
- Dress for the desert: sunblock, hat, hiking boots and the right clothes for the weather.
Camping
Our campground has restrooms, hot showers and a dump station. For reservations, call (512) 389-8911. Reservations are limited to three days; you may be able to stay longer if a site is available.
- Site types: 50-amp water/electric or water only. No sewer at sites.
- Parking: Back-in only, single-vehicle width. Drive lengths vary from 35 to 70 feet. Two vehicles allowed at each site. Park extra vehicles in the overflow lot for $2 each.
Know before you go:
- Camping check-in ends one hour before the park closes. There is no late entry.
- For site security, you may only leave the park after hours in case of emergency.
- No more than six people can camp at each site. Pitch tents only on tent pads.
- Cook only with camp stoves and containerized fuel. We do not allow charcoal or firewood, as ash from fires can damage the rock images.
- Public consumption of alcohol is not allowed.
- You must have a guide to explore the rocks and trail around the campground. Register daily at headquarters to hike and climb in the self-guided area.
Rock Climbing
Experience world-class rock climbing at Hueco Tanks! Choose from self-guided or guided climbs. Remember, some areas of the park can only be accessed on a tour.
Call (512) 389-8911 to make a reservation to climb in the self-guided area.
For guided climbs:
- Request a tour by calling (915) 857-1135 before your visit. Tours are Wednesday through Sunday, if a guide is available. We do not provide climbing instruction or equipment.
- Contact a guide service:
Know before you go:
- Bring your own equipment: climbing shoes, crash pads, chalk, food and water.
- Dress for the desert: sunblock, hat, hiking boots and the right clothes for the weather.
- Check our Closure List to know which areas are off limits.
- Read through our weather closure policy for technical climbing and bouldering.
Hiking
Hike in the self-guided or guided areas of the park.
- Call (512) 389-8911 to make a reservation to hike the self-guided area.
- Call (915) 857-1135 before your visit to request a hiking tour. We schedule tours Wednesday through Sunday, if a guide is available.
Know before you go:
- Bring a camera, water and a pack to keep hands free while scrambling up or down rocks.
- Dress for the desert: sunblock, hat, hiking boots and the right clothes for the weather.
- Learn more about our trails.
Bird watching
More than 200 species of birds have been sighted at Hueco Tanks. Look for birds in the self-guided area or join a guided birding tour.
- Call (512) 389-8911 to make a reservation to visit the self-guided area.
- Call (915) 857-1135 for more information on our birding tours.
Know before you go:
- Bring binoculars, a camera and water.
- Dress for the desert: sunblock, hat, hiking boots and the right clothes for the weather.
- Pick up a birding checklist at headquarters.
- Stay on trails and respect wildlife’s space.
- Do not feed wildlife.
Picnicking
The park has 10 picnic sites with shade shelters in the self-guided area. Some are wheelchair accessible, while others are tucked away in the rocks. Call (512) 389-8911 to make a reservation to picnic in the self-guided area.
Know before you go:
- Cook with camp stoves using containerized fuel only. We do not allow charcoal or firewood, as ash from fires can damage the rock images.
- Public consumption of alcohol is not allowed.