Want to take a trip along the historic El Paso Mission Trail?
If you want to explore more than 400 years of Southwest history in a single afternoon, the El Paso Mission Trail is the perfect place to start.
This scenic route connects three of the oldest churches in Texas, each one filled with Spanish colonial charm and cultural significance.
Located just outside downtown El Paso, the Mission Trail includes the Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Chapel.
All three are active Catholic parishes that welcome visitors during open hours, offering a peaceful look into the region’s past and its living traditions.
In this guide, you will learn what makes each mission unique, the best times to visit, and tips for planning your own trip along the El Paso Mission Trail.
El Paso Mission Trail Half Day Itinerary
When JP and I visited the El Paso Mission Trail, we were on a 4 week honeymoon road trip around the Four Corners states.
On this particular day, we were planning to visit White Sands National Park, but they ended up closing that day for military testing, which we knew was a possibility.
We had just left our Las Cruces KOA campground and we were exploring the Old Mesilla Village while deciding what else to do with our day.
We knew we were ending our day in El Paso (because we were working our way toward Guadalupe Mountains National Park) which is only about 45 minutes away, so I spent the car ride looking up things we could do in El Paso last minute.
When I found the El Paso Mission Trail I knew that was the perfect plan because we had already been visiting all the missions in California when we lived there.
It consists of just 3 missions, all within less than 10 miles from each other, so you can take as little as an hour to visit and say you’ve seen them or spend a few hours if you’re able to go in and explore each one.
Ysleta Mission
Coming from El Paso, the first mission on the trail is the Ysleta Mission.
This is the oldest continuously active parish in Texas – it was built in 1682!
I forget what was going on at the time that we visited, but we weren’t able to park or go in, so I just have a picture from the road.
Our visit was unexpected, but remember to plan ahead and check the mass schedule as well as anything else going on where the mission might be temporarily closed to the public.
Socorro Mission
3 miles down the road in the next town, is the Socorro Mission.
The original was built in 1691 and has also been continuously operating since that time, but the current facade was completed in 1843, which is still really old.
These missions are all on the National Register of Historic Places and are under National Park Service protection due to being on El Camino Real and the Butterfield Overland National Historical Trail.
San Elizario Presidio Chapel
6 miles down the road in the next town is the San Elizario Presidio Chapel.
This one was originally built in 1789 and operated as a military presidio (being named after the patron saint of the military).
The chapel in it’s current form was completed in 1877.
You can definitely tell as you go down the mission trail how the later time periods of each mission enhanced the aesthetics and elaborate design.
Each one just gets more and more impressive.
Where To Eat In El Paso
My first recommendation would be to try one of the steakhouses, since it’s such a staple of Texas cuisine.
But all of our visits through El Paso were shorter stays or budget stays where we just got fast food or to-go orders on the road, so I can’t recommend any particular steakhouse to try.
But, I can recommend some regional and local chains that are on the cheaper side.
Taco Tote
Taco Tote is our favorite fast food chain in El Paso.
They currently have locations in Albuquerque, Tucson, Phoenix, and Laredo as well.
They have a 2 taco plate where you can pick any 2 meats, a side, and a drink.
Then you get to take your tacos to the toppings bar so you can add whatever you want.
The toppings bar has tons of options and they’re all labeled by how spicy they are.
There is also free chips and salsa.
Taco Cabana
Taco Cabana is another popular local chain, we’ve only been to their locations in San Antonio, because my sister used to live there, and in El Paso.
But they have tons of locations around Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston as well.
Their enchilada plate is so good and comes with a nice, thick queso and sides of beans and rice.
Regular tacos are also really good – better quality than places like Taco Bell and Jack in the Box (even though we love those too).
Lastly, I recommend the Cabana Bowl, which is a taco salad inside of a fried tortilla bowl.
I have an Instagram video of all the foods we’ve tried here that you can check out!
Famous Dave’s
Famous Dave’s has pretty much spread across the entire country, but there are still tons of areas without one (including where I live).
It’s a bbq restaurant with a little bit of everything.
We tried it on one of our visits when we just needed to take some food to go, but wanted something of more substance than fast food.
Whataburger
Whataburger is another regional chain that you can get in El Paso.
JP still prefers In N Out, but I love that Whataburger’s bun is ginormous.
Every other place I’ve ever gotten a burger, I’ve had to flip the burger about half way through because the bun just disappears.
So it’s worth trying at least once since it’s so popular in the regions it’s located in.
Where To Stay In El Paso
We’ve passed through and made short trips throughout El Paso a handful of times, so we’ve stayed in a lot of places.
Below I have a Google map showing our top 3, which are all spread out throughout the entire metropolitan area.
For example, Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso/East is the closest the El Paso Mission Travel.
Then the other two recommendations are near the airport if that’s more convenient for you and near downtown and UTEP if those areas are more convenient for you.
Closest Hotel To The El Paso Mission Trail: Hampton Inn El Paso/East
Hampton Inn El Paso/East is just 3 miles from the El Paso Mission Trail, so it’s really convenient for this half day itinerary.
We love to stay at Hampton Inns when we travel because it’s Hilton’s cheapest brand, while still being safe and clean and high quality.
Hampton Inn rates also include complimentary breakfast and complimentary parking.
Click Here To Book Your Hampton Inn El Paso/East Stay Today!
Best Hotel Near Downtown: Hilton Garden Inn El Paso/University
Hilton Garden Inn El Paso/University is the best place to stay if you want to be closer to downtown or closer to UTEP.
This one is actually my overall favorite hotel we’ve stayed in when visiting El Paso.
Hilton Garden Inn is marketed more toward business travelers, so it’s a little bit pricier and doesn’t include complimentary breakfast, but it’s right across the street from a ton of food places.
Click Here To Book Your Hilton Garden Inn El Paso/University Stay Today!
Best Airport Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn El Paso Airport
Hilton Garden Inn El Paso Airport is where I recommend staying if you’re flying in and out of El Paso and would like to be closer to the airport for logistic reasons.
Click Here To Book Your Hilton Garden Inn El Paso Airport Stay Today!
Conclusion: El Paso Mission Trail Half Day Itinerary
The El Paso Mission Trail is a leisurely activity that anybody can visit and enjoy.
They’re beautiful buildings in small towns, so they’re a little off the beaten path, but still important historic sites in El Paso.
El Paso is a city we’ve driven through dozens of times when road tripping between California and Texas and Florida and I have just always been impressed with the architecture, so many restaurants, and being literally on the border, looking into Mexico.
If you find yourself in El Paso, I also recommend planning a visit to the nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park!
Pin This For Later!
