New Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert
Our image of desert is often barren landscape and large cacti and some of the Chihuahuan Desert might fit that description. I visited during the late-summer rainy season and much of the desert was alive and in bloom. I also found that there an easy escape from the heat in the nearby Lincoln National Forest at the higher elevations in the Sacramento Mountains.
Listed below are a few recommendations for places to check out during your visit.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park preserves a large part of a 275 square mile desert of white dune field comprised of gypsum crystals. It is the largest such dune field in the world. Visitors are confined to a single road, marked trails and one campground. The area was declared a national monument in 1933 and rededicated as a national park in 2019.
Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument
The Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument is administered by the Bureau of Land Management and preserves prehistoric and natural resources in a delicate desert landscape. The Organ Mountains rise 9000 feet above the floor of the Chihuahuan Desert. The mountains contain hundreds of paleontological and archeological sites.
In more recent times, the mountains were used as a hiding place for Billy the Kid and Geronimo. Astronauts trained in the mountains in preparation for walking on the lunar surface. Today it is open to camping, hiking, biking and exploration on horseback.
Valley of Fires National Recreation Area
Valley of Fires contains a 5000 year old lava flow that erupted though vents in the valley floor than than a volcano. The 44-mile long flow represents the longest, and most recent, such lava field in the Continental US. The site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Three Rivers Petroglyphs Site
With more than 21,000 petroglyphs, this site contains one of the most important rock art collections in the world and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Produced between 1000 and 1400 CE, the art is attributed to the Jornada Mogollon people. This is a very high-payoff destination giving visitors access to a large number of rock carvings accessed via an easily accessible, single-trail hike.
Oliver Lee State Park
I camped at Oliver Lee and had an opportunity to explore some of the trails, but it was summer. When the sun crested the mountains, it was time to go inside or press on to some other adventure.
Nevertheless, this state park is worth a visit. The trail system winds through the rocks or climbs Sierra Blanca and meanders past natural springs, remnants of old settlements and all the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Other Things to Do
The county seat of Lincoln County, this area was once terrorized by land and power struggles that resulted in the Lincoln County Wars. Part of this legacy was Billy the Kid, who was eventually killed near Lincoln.
With 88 of its original buildings still intact, Fort Stanton is one of the most complete and best preserved 19th century forts in America. Following the Civil War, the fort was commanded by Christopher (Kit) Carson. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing served two tours at the fort. More significantly, however, Fort Stanton was garrisoned primarily by Buffalo Soldiers of the four all-black cavalry and infantry units.