Help Us Celebrate Castner Range National Monument’s 2nd Year Anniversary!

The Monument has the unique distinction as the only National Monument under United States Army (Army) management. It encompasses 6,672 acres on the eastern slopes of the Franklin Mountains on lands administered by Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. Castner Range National Monument serves as a tribute to our nation’s Veterans, preserves significant cultural resources, rare and fragile natural resources, unique geological features, and sites of cultural significance to Tribal Nations. The Monument is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas in the El Paso region, providing a unique opportunity to conserve a natural landscape that is representative of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.

The Army used the land for live-fire training and consequently, military munitions remain on much of the Monument.  Although no longer used for training, the Army will continue to execute its environmental cleanup responsibilities in a manner that protects the objects of historic and scientific interest and leverage its strong relationships with the El Paso community.  Not only was the protection of the Monument’s natural and cultural resources paramount, but preserving open space was also a focal component of the grass roots effort led by the local community to preserve this land. 

Safety is our top priority.  Currently, the Monument is closed to public access while we conduct comprehensive munitions cleanup efforts from previous military training and implement necessary precautions to ensure future access meets strict safety standards. It showcases the ability of the Army to steward our lands for both military use and the general public.  Due to complexity and magnitude of the cleanup, it will be years before the Monument is safe for public access.

The Monument is significant because of its unique combination of historical and ecological resources, which provide a valued opportunity for education, research, and recreation, while also preserving the area’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.  Successful management and stewardship of the Monument will require collaboration between Tribal Nations, government agencies, local communities, and conservation organizations. 

• Military History: The Monument is an important part of the history of the United States military, with military training dating back to 1926. The Army established Castner Range when the 1st Cavalry Division was at Fort Bliss, who used it heavily through WWII (in particular the 82d Field Artillery Regiment) and ceased small arms range and artillery live-fire training in 1966.
• Natural Resources: This landscape has greatly reverted to natural conditions and is a natural haven for flora and fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Monument is home to a variety of native species, including the Texas Horned Lizard, desert mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and many other resident and migratory birds. It also supports seasonal wildflower blooms, most notably the vibrant Mexican Gold Poppies that attract visitors and photographers in springtime.
• Cultural Resources: The Monument has cultural and natural features, including archaeological sites, landscapes, objects, plants, and animals, often used at the center of time-honored traditions and stories of sacred significance to Tribal Nations. The continuum of human use and cultural ties are revealed by rock art, lithic scatters, and burial grounds.
• Research and Education Opportunities: The Monument provides opportunities for research and education and serves as a living outdoor classroom for studying its natural and cultural resources.

What’s New

Castner Range Map

3R’s

Access to Castner Range National Monument is currently restricted while the Army completes the cleanup process.

Always follow the Army’s 3Rs (Recognize, Retreat, and Report) of Explosive Safety:

• Recognize: when you may have encountered a munition and that munitions are dangerous.
• Retreat: do not approach, touch, move, or disturb the item, but carefully leave the area.
• Report: call 911 and advise the police of what you saw and where you saw it.