To explore New Mexico southern area I have travelled there on three different occasions so far. First time was in October 2009 travelling from the northern area of the state, second time in June 2015 as I was travelling from Arizona, and the third time in January 2023 entering from Texas into the southeast corner.
I assumed New Mexico weather was always sunny and hot as it was so far south but that is the beauty of travel, I learn things. On each trip the temperature varied quite a bit, in June and October it was very pleasant for camping. My last visit in January it was quite a different weather experience.
My realization that New Mexico gets winter is when I drove over the Sacramento Mountain range and through Cloudcroft where there was a lot of snow. As a Canadian I am used to snow and have snow tires however I was not expecting to drive in the white stuff.
Explore New Mexico - My favourites
Alamogordo
On the other side of the mountain was Alamogordo, where there was no snow, thank goodness. The temperature did drop below freezing most nights with day temperature only reaching around 10 C (50F). It was sunny, which was great for my solar.
There were several BLM free camping spots in the area, so despite the cold weather I enjoyed my stay in the Alamogordo area.
I love to discover a labyrinth on my travels and found a beautiful one in Alamogordo. I walked the Trinity Turtle Healing Labyrinth several times and enjoyed the peace and beauty of the park.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park located just west of Alamogordo is one of the world’s great wonders. This national park is 275 square miles of white sand rising from the Tularosa Basin making it the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. The first time I drove into the park I thought it was snow on the side of the road!
As I read more about the park from the guide book I learned the white sand was actually gypsum sand. The dunes shift and change with the wind so every visit can look different. It is a spectacular scenic area to explore, walk around, and even sledding down the high dunes. Sleds can be rented at the visitor center. There are several picnic areas to enjoy in the park as well. This park is a must see in my books.
Rockhound State Park
As I headed west I came across Rockhound State Park. This is a rugged setting in the Little Florida Mountains. There is a campground and lots of trails to hike to experience the unique geology and wildflowers (or so they said, that would be a spring thing so I missed them).
The park was a little off the beaten track but a beautiful scenic area. I was travelling through in February and didn’t stay but it is on my list to come back to and explore more.
City of Rocks State Park
I had read about The City of Rocks so had to detour off the main highway to take a look. The park is one square mile in New Mexico’s southwestern Chihuahuan desert halfway between Silver City and Deming. From a distance I saw huge rocks in the middle of the desert and realized why it was named The City of Rocks.
These incredible volcanic rock formations were formed more than 34.9 million years ago when there was a large volcano eruption. The formations are large, sculptured rocks in columns and pinnacles, with some over 40 feet high.
These huge rocks are separated by paths and lanes which resemble city streets. The campground is among these huge rocks, which make for some unusual camping spots. This is a fascinating otherworldly landscape which I recommend everyone to see.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Park
To get to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Park you have to drive a steep, narrow, twisting 43 miles from Silver City. It is a paved road, which makes is a bit easier to navigate and well worth is for the scenery alone.
Once I reached the park I wasn’t sure what to expect so I got some information and a map from the visitor centre, then decided to do the day hike. I did question whether or not I was fit enough to climb the mountain, decided I would go for it and was so happy I did.
The trail is a 1 mile loop that rises about 180 feet. I walked through forest, followed a creek, a canyon, and climbed many stone steps before reaching the cliff dwellings.
Once at the dwellings I was inspired and truly wanted to learn more about the history. For thousands of years groups of nomads used the caves as temporary shelters. In the late 1200s the Mogollon people made them their home. They constructed rooms to serve as kitchens, bedrooms, storage areas and inhabited the dwellings for generations.
The walk down was easier, it was more stone stairs and a dirt trail that zigzagged down the mountain. Stunning views all the way down made is even better. This was a really interesting place to experience and would recommend it to everyone.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
I am not an underground person, my worst nightmare is being stuck in a small space, however I decided I had to be brave and tour Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The park is in the Chihuahuan Desert in the southeastern of the state and is noted as being one of the best preserved and accessible caves in the world.
I walked down the 700 feet from the Natural Entrance to the Big Room. There are over a 100 caves to explore but I mainly stayed the Big Room which was fairly flat. After the climb down my legs were pretty tired.
What I remember the most was the humid cool air and found it a bit hard to breath. I had to remind myself I was safe. The size of the main cavern and the various sizes of stalactites clinging to the cave roof was fascinating.
After about 2 hours being underground I took the elevator back up to the sunlight. It was a very unusual experience and I am happy I did it, not sure if I will ever do it again though!
I have travelled through the northern area of this beautiful state many times as well, so check out my favourite sites in the north. I always love visiting New Mexico for its beauty and diverse scenery and will definitely be back.
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