El Paso Star
4.7(55)google
City LandmarkDowntownPhoto SpotScenic Lookout
Overview
The El Paso Star, glittering proudly on the rugged south face of the Franklin Mountains, stands as a spectacular, internationally recognized landmark that illuminates the desert sky. Originally erected in 1940 as a temporary Christmas display by local businessmen, this massive, 375-foot celestial symbol has been modernized with hundreds of high-efficiency LED lights. Visible from miles away across two separate nations, the star serves as a deeply moving beacon of regional identity and civic pride. Visitors can photograph its magnificent, glowing geometric form from numerous vantage points throughout downtown, experiencing a profound, magical sense of historical timelessness that anchors El Paso's festive night-life culture.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 30-45 minutes
Best TimeAn iconic urban landmark observed from afar. The absolute best viewing time is late at night year-round. Erected on the rugged slopes of the Franklin Mountains, this massive light-up star shines brightly in the desert sky, viewable across the city grid.
Getting TherePerched on a steep, restricted mountain cliffside, it is not physically accessible to hikers. The premier method to photograph and appreciate it is driving up to the Scenic Drive overlook, which provides free, short-term parallel parking bays.
Travel Tips
- Dominating the rugged south bluffs of the Franklin range, the physical steel lighting superstructure operates as a high-security civic and utility perimeter asset; scaling the triple-strand security fencing is a felony.
- The star employs automated astronomical timer relays toggling power at dusk and midnight; severe high-altitude mountain lightning strikes or hail downpours routinely trigger system-wide outages lasting days.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Private vehicles possess zero flight lines to drive directly to the bulb matrix; capturing high-end clean telephoto frames without urban light haze requires navigating to Murchison Rogers Overlook along Scenic Drive.
Reviews
Positive
- The iconic, historic mega-landmark perched on the Franklin Mountains, glowing with thousands of neon bulbs that deliver a stunning visual from miles away.
- Known nationally as the 'Star on the Mountain,' it serves as an authentic cultural beacon and a historic symbol of unity across the border communities.
- Charges 100% zero admission fees, free to enjoy all year round from surrounding lookouts or park benches that offer a deeply peaceful and serene ambiance.
- While the physical structure sits behind security fencing on a cliff, surrounding public lookouts feature smooth, flat, handicap-accessible paths.
Heads up
- Strict property protocols and high-voltage safety lock the immediate mountaintop base behind razor wire, meaning you can never touch or stand inside the star.
- Severe desert dust storms in spring or heavy summer storm clouds can completely obscure the neon glow from below, resulting in a disappointing, blinded view.
- For eco-preservation, the star is occasionally shut off on select non-holiday weekday midnights, leaving late-arriving road trippers stuck with a pitch-black hillside.
- The viewing parks below lack any multi-language interpretive materials outside English and Spanish; historical placards look weathered and faded by the sun.