Where to catch El Paso’s breathtaking sunsets: Top scenic spots

There’s nothing more stunning than a sunset in El Paso when the sky transforms into vivid red, pink and yellow hues. The silhouette of the towering Franklin Mountains beneath makes the sight even more spectacular.

It’s a phenomenon that leaves all who witness it in awe, making some argue El Paso has some of the best sunsets in the world.

The reason for magnificent skies at dusk and dawn lies within the clouds and a little something called virga – when the rain does not reach the ground, according to Anthony Brown, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“We often get a lot of high and mid-level clouds here and virga,” Brown said. “These clouds allow late-day or early-morning sunlight to scatter and reflect back to our eyes.”

At sunrise and sunset, the main component of light reaching the eye is red, Brown explained, and the rest of the spectrum gets absorbed by the atmosphere, turning the clouds red, orange, yellow and pink.

Cloud placement is also key.

“In order to have vivid sunrises and sunsets, you need clouds to cover a good amount of the sky, but not so much that it’s blocking the sun,” Brown said.

Here are some great places to see sunsets – or sunrises - in El Paso:

Scenic Drive

Witness the marvel in the sky atop a mountain — with no hiking needed. The winding road up Scenic Drive leads to Murchison Rogers Park, showcasing glorious views of El Paso and Juárez. Stay past sunset and experience the bright lights of the two countries glow against the backdrop of the dark sky.

Transmountain Drive

The road connecting the northwest to the northeast is nestled within the Franklin Mountains and provides a panoramic view of sunrises and sunsets. Covered picnic tables are found off the side of the road, giving El Pasoans and tourists some shelter while taking in the view of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. The Tom Mays Unit entrance to the Franklin Mountains State Park is also found off Transmountain Drive, allowing onlookers to stop or even hike while watching the sun rise above.

Cattleman’s Steakhouse

3450 S. Fabens Carlsbad Road. Fabens, Texas 79838

The family restaurant on an authentic ranch boasts some of the best desert views in the southwest. Vivid sunsets reflect over the ranch’s lake or brighten the skies behind the children’s zoo and playground. Cattleman’s Steakhouse has also been featured on the Food Channel and voted “Best Steakhouse” in El Paso, making for great food and views.

Hueco Tanks State Park

6900 Hueco Tanks Rd. No. 1

The sun peeks through the historic park’s bouldering rocks at dusk and dawn, creating a picturesque escape into the desert. The site formed 34 million years ago and has been a refuge for nature and humans for over ten thousand years, according to the National Park Service. When the lighting is just right, the sun’s rays also reflect off the natural rock basins — or huecos.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Top scenic spots to catch El Paso’s breathtaking sunsets