Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and Mexico. We celebrate the cultures of the borderlands to promote the same mutual respect that helped to diplomatically resolve an international disagreement.

a bench next to a tree with U.S. and Mexican flags flying against a mountain background

Mountain View

a group of children with hand raised in front of park rangers and ground squirrel mascot

Junior Rangers

walking trails cross a field of green grass with mountain in the background

Trails

Women in swirling skirts and men with sombreros and colorful ponchos dance onstage

Theater Performances

Franklin G. Smith Gallery

Chamizal

The Memorial grounds are open to vehicle and foot traffic only when the gates are open.

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

New Year's Day

Entrance Gates and Memorial Grounds

Hiking

A red gravel trail that has trees and grass surrounding it with 2 boundary fence posts.

North trail at CHAM

Visit the Cultural Center for more information about our trails! 

If your are looking for a multi-use trail in the heart of El Paso, we have got you covered. Chamizal National Memorial has paved trails that loop around 55 acres of rolling hills along the United States and Mexico border. Trail lenght is roughly under 1.5 miles, has gentle grades, and is hard packed with red gravel.You will have the ability to walk, jog, run, and ride your bicycle on the trails. You are also allowed to walk your dogs on trail, as long as you have them on leash and pick up when needed.  You will have the oppurtunity to walk beside an international border crossing know as Bridge of the Americas. You will also have the chance to see 27 Boundary Fence posts that were placed by the Mexican governemnt to mark the northern most bend of the Rio Grande, during its meanidering in this area.Keep an eye out for the urban wildlife that you can see, such as hummingbirds and rock squirrels. You can ease your experience with access to our comfort station on the park grounds or come into the Culutural Center to cool off with restrooms, water fountains and exhibit. You may also get maps and information at the Cultural Center. If not, click the link provides to access a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cham/planyourvisit/maps.htm">Map</a>. Remember when visiting, the park grounds are open from 7 am to 7 pm to andthe Cultural center is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Depending on the season, be sure to check weather conditions as conditions can be either hot or trail conditions can be slippery with rain. Stay hydrated and wear comfortable clothing.. Have fun and be safe!

Pets are allowed as long as they are leashed and clean up protocols are followed. 

Chamizal National Memorial provides a Zen place to reflect on conflict and resolution. The trails compliment the memorial, giving the public the ability to use them in multiple ways.

Trail use at Chamizal National Memorial

Hispanic American Heritage

Latino American Heritage

Monuments and Memorials

River and Riparian

Scenic Views

Floods

Urban America

Wars and Conflicts

Mexican War

Biking

A Chamizal National Memorial intern gives directions to a group of people on bikes.

LHIP Intern Leads Bikes

It can be difficult to find a safe place to ride your bike in a large city. Chamizal National Memorial offers over a mile and a half of trails right in the center of the city that are perfect for biking enthusiasts. After you hit the trails outside, bike racks at the entrance to the Cultural Center invite you to stay for a while and enjoy the museum exhibits inside. Pedal-powered bicycles are welcome on all of the trails throughout the park, as well as the parking lot and roadway. Electric bikes (E-bikes) are a fun and modern way to enjoy the outdoors. At Chamizal, E-bikes operating on electric power are only allowed in the parking lot and roadway. However, under human power they can take to the trails as well! Though bicycles are welcome on the trails, all other wheeled vehicles such as skates, skateboards and scooters are not allowed. To help protect our park and keep it a safe place for all to visit, bikes are not allowed on pedestrian sidewalks or on the esplanade in front of the Cultural Center. Don't forget to be safe and follow all applicable laws and regulations. Please see the <a href="https://home.nps.gov/cham/learn/management/compendium.htm">Superintendent's Compendium</a> for more details about rules and regulations in the park.

Pets are allowed on all trails at Chamizal National Memorial, however only service animals are permitted inside the Cultural Center and Administrative Building.

With over a mile and a half of maintained trails, it's easy and fun to explore Chamizal National Memorial by bike!

Biking at Chamizal National Memorial

Museum Exhibits

The bronze sculpture of Benito Juarez installed on the esplanade in front of the Cultural Center.

Benito Juarez: Child to Man Sculpture

Created to provide additional insight into the statue "Benito Juarez: Child to Man", the Monumental Men exhibit offers the opportunity to learn more about the relationship and legacy of two great leaders: Abraham Lincoln and Benito Juarez. Contemporaries of each other, Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln both came from humble upbringings to lead their respective countries through difficult challenges and periods of growth. Each leader led their nation through wars of national identity, but were unable to bring a timely resolution to a newly emerging border dispute. A resolution to the Chamizal land tract would elude experienced diplomats for the next 100 years. Depite this, Lincoln and Juarez left behind enduring legacies and remain symbols of mutual respect between the United States and Mexico.

Service animals are allowed in the Cultural Center.

The Monumental Men exhibit corresponds with the statue "Benito Juarez: Child to Man" located on the esplanade in front of the Cultural Center.

Monumental Men Exhibit

Sculpture

A collage of images representing Chamizal, featuring a large image of a handshake.

Chamizal Exhibit Introduction

Newly updated in 2020, the museum exhibit at Chamizal National Memorial tells the story of the international disagreement between the United States and Mexico over the Chamizal land tract. Anchored by the Rio Grande river, the exhibit explores the cause of the Chamizal land dispute and the competing claims between Mexico and the United States as well as the diplomatic resolution. Listen to the voices of citizens impacted by the resulting international treaty. And include your own reflections in the Add Your Voice section of the exhibit.

Service animals are allowed inside the Cultural Center.

Learn more about the Chamizal land dispute and how two countries came together to resolve a century-long issue.

The Cultural Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Chamizal Conflict and Resolution

Junior Ranger Program

The Chamizal National Memorial Junior Ranger books, badges, and patches.

Chamizal Junior Ranger

Visitors of all ages are encouraged to complete the Junior Ranger activity book at Chamizal National Memorial to earn a badge they can proudly display. Designed to be completed while visiting the memorial park, the junior ranger activity book features activities for different age groups along the themes of Friendship, Cooperation, and Diplomacy. The final section, Unity, is designed for all ages and earns a special Junior Ranger patch. For those that are unable to visit Chamizal National Memorial in person, the online <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/chamizal-virtual-ranger.htm">WebRanger</a> activities can be completed from your own home and include a downloadable Junior Ranger digital badge.

Pets are allowed on the grounds and trails of Chamizal National Memorial. Only service animals are welcome inside the Cultural Center.

Junior Rangers of all ages are encouraged to learn more about Chamizal National Memorial by completing the junior ranger activity book to earn a badge!

Junior Ranger activity books can be picked up inside the Cultural Center from 10:00AM to 5:00PM Tuesday through Saturday. The park grounds are open 7:00AM to 7:00PM daily.

Picnicking

A covered picnic shelter with landscaping and comfort station behind

Picnic Areas at Chamizal

Enjoying the outdoors with family and friends is one of our favorite things at Chamizal National Memorial. Bring your food and make a day of it. There are nine covered shade structures, however picnic tables are temporarily removed. If the shade structures are in use, there are plenty of other comfortable places around the park to set up your own picnic gear. You may bring your own grill or use one of the charcoal grills installed near the picnic areas. Please dispose of your coals responsibly in the coal boxes located around the park. If you bring your own grill, please do not use it inside the bowl area around the outdoor stage. When planning your day, remember that for everyone's safety no glass containers are permitted inside the park. To find out more about other park rules and regulations, please read the <a href="https://home.nps.gov/cham/learn/management/compendium.htm">superintendent's compendium</a>.

Pets are allowed on the grounds and trails at Chamizal National Memorial. Service dogs are welcome in the Cultural Center.

Reservations are not required, but are recommended for large groups or during busy seasons. To inquire about a group reservation, please contact the Permits Coordinator at cham_permits@nps.gov

The rolling landscape of Chamizal National Memorial is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with friends and family!

Chamizal

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

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Trail use at Chamizal National Memorial

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Biking at Chamizal National Memorial

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Monumental Men Exhibit

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Chamizal Conflict and Resolution

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Chamizal Junior Ranger

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Picnicking at Chamizal National Memorial

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