Paso del Norte Trail Master Plan

SITES led the comprehensive master planning effort for the Paso del Norte Trail in El Paso, a regional initiative rooted in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s mission to promote health, active living, and community well-being. The vision for the trail is ambitious. Once complete, the 60-plus-mile route will link the New Mexico–Texas border to the southeastern corner of El Paso County and connect to major destinations such as UTEP, Franklin Mountains Open Space, Mission Valley communities, and a proposed loop through Juarez. It also serves as the Texas continuation of New Mexico’s planned Rio Grande Trail.

The master plan highlights the history, culture, and landscape of the region. Themes draw from El Camino Real, the agricultural heritage of the Rio Grande, and the area’s mission sites, expressed through design elements and interpretive opportunities. The system incorporates a range of trail types that include paved multi-use paths, unpaved ditch and levee roads, and urban segments with enhanced sidewalks and bikeways.

As implementation progresses, SITES continues to support several engineering firms with the design of key trail segments, including the Playa Drain Trail and the Border Highway Trail. These projects introduce comfortable pedestrian routes with benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, and new desert-adapted landscaping to provide shade and ecological value. By activating underused corridors and improving access across neighborhoods, the Paso del Norte Trail advances regional connectivity and encourages healthier, more active communities.