Hueco Tanks Country Store Reopens

Old school climbers remember “Pete’s” Country Store as one of the most iconic dirtbag campgrounds in American climbing history. Located just outside the park entrance at Hueco Tanks, Texas, the Country Store was where bouldering pioneers stayed during the years that Hueco transformed from a little-known rock pile into one of the world’s premier bouldering areas.

It was Todd Skinner that started the bouldering revolution in Hueco way back in 1982, and it was he that approached Pete Zavala, owner of the Country Store, asking for a place to stay. Pete let Todd and his friends crash upstairs and within a few years, climbers were flocking to Hueco and pitching tents in Pete’s parking lot. The Country Store, affectionately referred to simply as “Pete’s,” became THE place to stay during Hueco’s golden years from the late 80’s to the late 90’s. During those years, the park was wide open to climbers and visitor use in the park, and at Pete’s, grew each year.

Pete & Queta working in the store      Photo: Steve Crye www.huecotanks.com

In 1998, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department imposed the now well-known restrictions at Hueco Tanks that forever changed the landscape of carefree bouldering at Hueco. That year marked the beginning of the end for Pete’s Country Store. Business declined and, eventually, Pete closed the doors of the store. Pete Zavala passed away in 2006 leaving behind a large community of climbers that share fond memories of Pete, his campground, and the glory days of Hueco.

In 2011, local climber Lowell Stevenson has breathed life back into the old Country Store and reopened the campground. Lowell is a long time Hueco climber that grew up in nearby El Paso and remembers the early days of climbing during the Todd Skinner and John Sherman era. We checked in with him to hear about the good old days and find out his plans for restoring a priceless part of the Hueco Tanks experience.

Lowell Stevenson climbing in Hueco      Photo Maria R. Valles

DPM: Tell me about the significance of Pete’s Country Store. When did climbers start coming there?

Pete’s is the closest store to the park entrance. Back in the day, Pete’s was the place to hang out going to or from Hueco Tanks. Pete started working with climbers during 1982, when Todd Skinner asked Pete if he could turn the upstairs hut into a crash-shack. Todd and Amy Skinner became good friends with Pete and (his wife) Queta over the years. Climbers continued staying at Pete’s frequently from 1986 to 1998.

The Hueco Rock Rodeos were originally held at Pete’s (Hueco Mountain Country Store) for many years. Today the store still has the notorious wooden Shillelagh (pull-up bar) which was used for tie breakers in the Rock Rodeos, where the two competitors would hang off the bar one armed. The one who held on the longest won. We’ve also put the original slackline up that was featured in the film “Free Hueco.” The place needs tons of restoration, but for some reason it has a really cool rustic southwest flare to it.

DPM: Tell me about Pete, his family, and the original Country Store.

Pete and Queta were known for their generosity. Several climbers were allowed to stay, and even eat, without being charged during tough times. Pete and Queta’s cooking was simple but tasty traditional Mexican food – tamales, burritos, gorditas. The family still makes tamales on request for climbers.

The Hueco Country Store maintains its Southwestern flair.

DPM: Why did the Country Store eventually close?

Business declined after 1998 when Hueco Tanks State park briefly closed and later changed its visitor capacity. Once the Hueco Tanks State Park changed their polices in 1998, the store lost much of its business. Pete’s health began to decline and the family’s focus was on his son’s death. Pete Zavala passed away on Aug. 2, 2006 after years of heart problems.

DPM: Now that the Country Store is back up and running, what service do you offer climbers?

After 10 long years “Pete’s” Hueco Mountain Country Store has re-opened its doors to climbers. Visitors are more than welcome to stop by and hang out, do pull ups on the notorious Shillelagh, brave the well-known slackline, kick around the hacky sack, car camp, tent camp, land the RV or just meet up with climbers.

I run SPOTTER a small company that manufactures and rents crash pads out of the store. We also have a large selection of top brand climbing gear.

Looking for access in to the Hueco Tanks back country? Mountains Guides hang out at the shop and camp at the Country Store frequently. There’s also information on the park’s policies and access.

The store is open during odd hours for the following months of rebuilding. If the store isn’t open campers can pay using the Iron Ranger pay station located near the store entrance.

DPM: What are your hopes for the future of the business?

Rebuild the original base camp to Hueco Tanks. We have great plans for the future.

A Bivi Hut for climbers to get out of bad weather which will have a TV, Microwave, Toaster oven, and Wood burner etc.

Electrical RV hook-ups, Wifi, Solar Power charging stations, water and showers.

MOST OF THIS HAS COME TRUE ALREADY!