Ready for another New Mexico road trip adventure? This one starts in Las Cruces with an endpoint at White Sands National Monument, and there are a few stops in between. You can use this Google Maps link as your guide on this road trip. Now, gas up the car or charge your EV, and let's hit the road!
The driving time for this road trip is just over 2 hours and 85 miles each way. Depending on how much time you spend at each stop, you may be able to do this in a day. If not, there's an overnight option I'll throw in at the end.
1. Starting Point: Las Cruces
This adventure starts in the city of Las Cruces. Home to historic sites, shops, restaurants, and more, it's a great day-trip destination if you don't live here. Explore all you want to see, like the Mesilla Plaza and the Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture, before heading to the outskirts of town to our next stop.
2. Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park may not be as popular as White Sands but it's still worth a visit. This underrated state park includes just over 300 acres of land by the Rio Grande and has a visitors' center with exhibits, over 2 miles of hiking trails, gardens, picnic areas, and more. It's also a great place to go birdwatching, so make sure you bring a pair of binoculars with you.
3. Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is a BLM park that's celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. This park offers so much in terms of geological, prehistoric, and historic sites. It's also a beautiful spot with the Organ Mountains dotting the landscape. Definitely take a camera with you as you'll want to snap as many pics as possible.
4. Aguirre Spring National Recreation Area and Campground
Stopping at the Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground gives you another view of the Organ Mountains. You may also choose to camp here for a night or two if you'd like as well. There are 55 campsites that are first-come, first-served. The campground is located at the base of a set of cliffs and overlooks both the Tularosa Basin and White Sands which happens to be our next and last stop.
5. White Sands National Monument
The last, and perhaps best, stop on this unexpected New Mexico road trip is the natural wonder known as White Sands National Monument. With a desert filled with gypsum crystals against an azure-blue sky, well, it's as picture-perfect a place can be. When exploring the park, you can hike the dunes, go sledding on the snow-white hills, and even go for a scenic drive through the otherworldly landscape. This place feels like a dream when you visit for the first time but I assure you, it's real!
If you need a place to stay near White Sands National Monument, this
"" target="_blank">Cozy Adobe Casita in Tularosa is just a 30-minute drive away.
Are you as excited about this New Mexico road trip as I am? Are there any stops you would add between Las Cruces and White Sands? Let us know!
Before you head out on this trip, take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all the things you'll need for the car, and don't forget the snacks!
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