El Paso County Parks & Recreation is inviting families to trade their beds for sleeping bags this weekend, hosting an overnight campout at Ascarate Park from Saturday, Sept. 26, through Sunday morning, Sept. 27. The event promises nighttime fishing, a campfire gathering and stargazing for anyone willing to check in and stay the night under the open sky.
According to kfoxtv.com, check-in for the Ascarate Park Campout Overnight Adventure runs from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, with checkout set for 9 a.m. the following morning. The park sits at 6900 Delta Drive, and attendees will need to plan around the check-in window since the event does not appear to allow for a rolling arrival schedule.
As KTSM 9 News reports, El Paso Parks and Recreation Director Tim Fulton said the campout gives families an opportunity to share their passions with one another. Fulton, who joined Mike Martinez and Tricia Martinez on Second Cup on KTSM+ this week, also encouraged campers to put phones and screens away and enjoy nature during their stay.
Registration Fees and Deadlines
Registration costs $10 for adults ages 18 to 59 and $5 for children, seniors and veterans, per the same KTSM report. Families looking for a group gathering spot can also reserve picnic shelters starting at $50, according to a listing on allevents.in.
Sign-ups are open through Sept. 25 at the El Paso County Parks & Recreation administrative offices located inside Ascarate Park, and there will be no same-day registration on Sept. 26, the listing notes. The two sources differ slightly on weekday office hours — kfoxtv.com reports the administration building is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., while allevents.in lists hours of 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Prospective campers with questions can call the El Paso County Parks & Recreation Department directly at 915-273-3501.
Rules for the Overnight Stay
Once the sun goes down, re-entry and vehicle use will not be permitted from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to the allevents.in listing. That overnight restriction is for participant safety during the campout.
Anglers hoping to cast a line after dark should note that a Texas fishing license is required for anyone 17 years of age or older, per the same listing. The nighttime fishing session is one of the campout's centerpiece activities alongside the campfire gathering.
Part of a Broader Investment in County Parks
Fulton also pointed to broader improvements coming to El Paso County parks, telling KTSM that Ascarate and other county parks will see upgrades to picnic shelters, restrooms and walking trails. The campout, he suggested, reflects the county's ongoing investment in its parks system as a place for families to connect outdoors.
