Wyler Aerial Tramway

We went here this morning, and it was a great time for not a lot of money either. ($ 8 per adult, toddler was free). No line to purchase tickets, but there’s a line to board the tram because it only takes a few people at a time and there are only two trams. A tour guide is with you the entire time, and there’s no sitting down, just standing room only once inside. Super nice tour guides who were very informative.
I definitely recommend going as early in the morning as possible, due to crowds lining up when we were leaving. It is about a 4 minute ride each way, but if you have anxiety or claustrophobic like me, it feels like forever ;P but once at the top, there’s a platform to walk around and a little gift shop.
The tour guide recommended coming back in the winter at night because it looks beautiful he said. Not sure if I will be back just cuz of my random fear of heights and claustrophobia, but it was definitely a once in a lifetime thing for me lol.

I came here before the ticket office opened but quite a few other patrons had the same idea as a line had already begun forming. Tickets are $ 8 for adults and $ 4 for kids under 12 years old. A military discount is offered.
After purchasing our tickets, we waited in line to ride the gondola. Once on, the ride was incredible quick (minutes) to the top. The ranger inside was nice and answered our questions. The views are pretty and the ride is neat. However, to be fair, there are other less costly attractions in EP with similar views, minus the gondola ride which is essentially what you are paying for.
You can spend as much time as you want at the top and just catch a ride back down when the gondola is unloading a fresh group of people at the top. There is an older, little shop with tourist-​type items for sale, grab snacks, and seating outside. The particular day we went, the wind had kicked up significantly so it was not very pleasant.
Riding back down, we wandered around the bottom entrance. There are a couple of history tidbits. There are self-​guided hiking trails as well. The entire trip from start to finish was fairly quick (not including wait time). This is a good visit for anyone who wants easy, quick access to pretty aerial views.

It’s a cool /​high place if you are not afraid of height. Tickets are not expensive, $ 8 each.

A great and inexpensive way to see some great sights ! My son loved riding it and it was really interesting to see everything around us. The guides we met were so friendly and so knowledgeable!!! The gift shop is small but has souvenirs and snacks and drinks, Which is great if you have kids!!!

This is a really cool way to see El Paso and Juarez from above. The tram is an easy 10 minute drive from downtown. It is $ 8 a person and in the winter it is open until 5pm. The tram ride is about 3 minutes and you are escorted by a Ranger to the top. Once on top there are several viewing areas and a gift shop. You do have the option of doing the hike up and down as well. The Ranger did advise us there are cougars on the mountain. No hike for us.

I had time before going to the UTEP and Texas Tech football game last year so I decided to visit Wyler Aerial Tramway. I really enjoyed it. I got there early before they were letting passengers up to the top of Franklin Mountains State Park. I waited about 20 minutes and then they started selling tickets. From what I remember, a ticket to the top was reasonable… roughly $ 15. I had to wait a couple tram rides back and forth before I could get on, but it was well worth it once I did.
The climb to the top was nice and easy… took roughly 10 minutes. Once you arrive at the top… the views are wonderful. You can see all the way to Mexico… which isn’t far away anyways lol. But the views of El Paso are great. It’s nice and peaceful up at the top. I also went into the visitor’s store and got a couple of souvenirs to take home. I spent about a half hour taking photos and soaking up the atmosphere.
There’s something about going to the top of mountains by tramway that I find very special. It helps you put in perspective how truly beautiful the world can be. I’m glad I stopped by Wyler Aerial Tramway in El Paso Texas!

Great fun and views. Dont go on a windy day without a rope: o)

Needed something to do for the afternoon. We found this and said why not! The driver there was tough as it was through alot of aide streets. Once heading up the drove the scenery starts to change and it is neat. The tram ride to the top is pretty cool and doesn’t take very long. Once uo top you can see for miles! It’s really cool looking across 2 nations and 2 different states. It is a time passers and if you get the chance go for it. The views are worth it.

We are on the move in El Paso! We drove by here just looking for something to do before it got too hot and we found this. It’s only $ 8 dollars per person and I recommend going on Sunday mornings no line, no wait pay and go up. I was taken back by some of the reviews talking about not good views, I personally thought the views were great you see 3 states and Mexico. The breeze at the top it’s amazing just wonderful if you will like to sit down, relax and enjoy the view. It’s a must if you stop by El Paso.

Hours suck, but the trip up is worth it. Support the tramway and go! It is an El Paso favorite and something we don’t want to lose!!!

Arrived around 12:30 on a Friday. There was a long wait, about an hour, to get on the tram. Staff were extremely friendly. GREAT views of El Paso, Mexico and New Mexico. Even though it was a long wait in the sun… My husband and I both enjoyed the experience.

Awesome views of El Paso and Mexico 5000 feet up! Only costs $ 8/​person. You ride a type of gondola to the top of the mountain. The Rangers explain everything your seeing and passing-​very informative. At the top are great views of the surrounding area and even a gift shop!

I didn’t even know El Paso had a tram when I was driving from Tucson back home to Austin and needed a road break and discovered this on the TX State Parks website.
The scenery is overlooking the urban sprawl below, but I was actually disappointed in the tram ride up and the views once I got up there. I mean, I know this isn’t the Rockies or Alps, but it just wasn’t that impressive for the ridiculously long wait times (each of the two gondolas can only take up to 6 people, though most times it was less and they are supposed to run every 5mins or so, but there were sometimes 10−12min gaps between loads). Over 30mins for a 3min ride? The tram ride was fine, but there isn’t a lot to see on the way up. Maybe I wouldn’t have minded the wait f there was more than just a few walkways and a perilous «Ranger Loop Trail» at the top. «The best view in the Southwest?» Yeah, I don’t think so… they must have meant the Southwest corner of El Paso, cuz there are better views from Mt Bonnell in Austin and definitely better views in several other places throughout the state of TX and the Southwest.
I was wanting to do the Geocaches here, but OMG, where they put them here was a little too «adventurous» for my taste. I did the Directissimo Trail because the line was stupid long and I thought killing 30mins on a trail was a better use of my time. But this trail was crazy! It makes you hike halfway up the mountain and I don’t think the geocache was even there because after getting up to the bench where my geocache app said I was within 4ft of the damn thing it was nowhere to be found and I looked for a solid 15mins! The trail going up was bad, but going down was worse. It’s a narrow trail w/​things that can stab you jutting in on the trail itself, so you really have to watch your footing. But the hike down gets «fun» with all the loose rocks and tall quasi-​rock steps. Did not enjoy it at all and to have done all that to come back w/​out my geocache punch made it even less enjoyable. When I talked to the ranger at the box office they were just like «oh the girl who put it there said it was there last month» but had no idea if it was at «bench 1 or 2» wtf? Seriously? Then the Geocache at the top of the tram was supposedly next to this brick chalet, but when you see where the chalet is compared to where you are… it is a trek! I attempted the Ranger Loop Trail, but it was more perilous than the Directissimo as there are some pretty steep drops where you need to be super athletic and have longer legs than I did if you are going to make it down and back, so I came back after the 3^rd set of chain ropes.
Needless to say, it was not worth the $ 8 ticket price nor the time. I think if I came back I’d check out the actual Franklin Mtn State Park and seem if it can redeem this experience.
Also, it was annoying with all the crying kids in line and moaning and groaning adults about it being cold. C’mon people… you are going up a mountain in December… figure it out or shut up. Great revenue for the gift shop at the top though, I saw several people in the line to come back down (only a 20min wait… huzzah?) that were jacket-​less on the way up w/​newly acquired sweatshirts.

Checked out this place bc there’s not much to do in El Paso. It’s only a 4min ride up and down the ride, but the view was very nice! I recommend going when it’s warmer outside bc it’s extremely windy at the top of the mountain.

Had a great time with the family out here.
I did some research of things to do in El Paso before we came out to visit family. This is something we do not have back home.
They offer a group rate for 10 or more.
Only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It’s a 4 min ride up. There are small windows up top for air to come in. The fans in both of the cabins weren’t working. Made me feel bad for the rangers who work in them. It was about 101 when we went. So it is a little hot in there in the summer.
The rangers were all very friendly and informative. Answered every question we had, like what’s with the giant X on the Mexico side.
It didn’t sway or rock as much as I had anticipated. That was a good thing because we had some people scared of heights.
It’s a beautiful view on the ride up and when you get to the top of the mountain.
There are two levels of the viewing area at the top of the mountain. You can walk around and check out the views at your leisure and ride down when you’re ready.
The gift shop sells cold drinks, trinkets, shirts, hats and snacks. There’s also a historical book in there that has all of the details on the plane accident.
There are hiking trails. Rumor is that it takes about 4 – 5 hours to hike up there.
I’d recommend anyone visiting El Paso to check it out. You get a view of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico!

Great short excursion. The price was reasonable, the tram cars were clean and the staff was courteous. The wait was very short and although it was a bit windy on the peak this did not detract from the wonderful views of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Certainly something everyone in the area should visit…

In my attempt to show off El Paso a bit to family from out of town, I thought I’d visit the Wyler Aerial Tramway that has been recommended to me various times. My family and I purchased round-​trip tickets to ride the tram at around 2pm on a Sunday. It was $ 8 per adult. We waited for over 30 minutes in line before we were able to take the ~3 min. tram ride. More than we cared to wait. but it was a beautiful day (line to be expected) and it was adorable seeing families out and about. The rangers on the tram were friendly and great with kids!
Smart move, El Paso, for having an aerial tramway. It’s perfect for those who can’t see themselves hiking their way to the top of Franklin but still want to experience the view. I was a slightly disappointed that the ride wasn’t longer (and with seats) and there wasn’t more to do once you arrived at Ranger’s Peak though. I had budgeted more time in my day than necessary for this little excursion.
There’s a small platform when you exit the tram with a bench. From there you have the option of visiting the little gift shop or walking along the outdoor deck that wraps around the gift shop. There are several vaguely sketched maps on the railings that help with locating different landmarks. While you miss out on some up-​close-​and-​personal time with nature when you take the tramway shortcut up Franklin, the view of Juarez and El Paso is always breath-​taking.
HIKING
if you’re interested in hiking down the mountain, you must register inside the gift shop at the peak or at the ticket booth at the bottom of the tram. There’s an option of purchasing a one-​way ticket, so you are free to either hike up and ride down or ride up and hike down.

One of the nicest things you can do in El Paso. Pack your camera and sunglasses and if you like hiking even your boots (because you can hike down, for all hose who are crazy enough to try). The view ja beautiful and it is an 360* platform from which you can see into Mexico and NM. The tramway up and down is fun and always feels very safe!

This was a really neat experience for the family. When you get to the top they allow you to get off on the platform and you can see west and east El Paso and Mexico. They have a gift shop and they also allow you to take a picnic lunch to the top and eat. We will definitely be taking our visitors when they come to El Paso!

It’s a breathtaking view from the top!
The actual ride is only about 4 minutes ~ on the way, you can see a red tail hawk nest. It’s a great view of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. The gift shop at the top sells bottled water, Gatorade, caprisun, ice cream and chips and snacks. They also have tshirts, postcards, gifty shop type things.
The park rangers were very friendly and knowledgeable about the tramway and the surrounding area. For $ 8, I thought it was a nice little stop during our El Paso stay.
Time: 1– 1.5 hours
You could do it in as few as 30 min or stay up there for a while. The tram goes up and down the mountain quite a bit and there wasn’t a long wait to get down.
Best time to go: When the weather is clear! The tram is only open on the weekends!
Who would like this: All ages — it’s a beautiful view, there’s benches at the top.