Looking to get out for a hike in Las Cruces, New Mexico? Look no further, because we’ve rounded up the easy, moderate, difficult, and all of the in-between hikes you can think of surrounding the Las Cruces area. Check out one of these four awesome hikes in Las Cruces, featuring amazing views, various local flora, and fauna sightings.
Bar Canyon
Bar Canyon, A pretty easy and scenic hike close to home in Las Cruces, offers a reasonable three-mile loop, located within the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area. The trail boasts scenic views of the central Organ Mountains and the southern Mesilla Valley. And if you’re into rock climbing, there are some rock formations on either side of the canyon for you to try out. Extra perk? It’s pet-friendly, so bring your dog along for the hike.
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
New Mexico’s 34th state park, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, encompasses 300 acres of forest along the Rio Grande River and 600 acres of Chihuahuan Desert. Wow, that’s a lot of land! There are tons of scenic trails to check out in the area that serves as a refuge for all types of wildlife. Fit for all skill levels, this epic state park is totally worth a visit.
Organ Needles Trail
Okay, this one isn’t for beginners, but if you’re up for the challenge you better add it to your list. The Organ Needles Trail climbs a whopping 4,490 feet in just four miles — aka get ready to work those quads. It’s the highest peak in Southern New Mexico, so it’s no wonder the steepness of the trail makes this hike the most difficult on our list.
Dripping Springs Natural Area
The Dripping Springs Natural Area boasts over four miles of easy hiking trails with some amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. There are two trails to choose from — Dripping Springs Trail and Talavera Trailhead. Dripping Springs is named after its own ‘weeping walls' — when the trail gets enough rain, beautiful waterfalls will start to emerge in the area.
Get moving this spring in Las Cruces with a stop at one of these four awesome hikes. For more outdoor activities in the Las Cruces area, visit our blog.