Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument

How to Get There

From Las Cruces (15 mi or less): Take University Ave or US‑70 east, then follow Dripping Springs Road or Baylor Canyon Road to access trailheads and visitor areas within the monument.

Overview

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument covers 496,330 acres around Las Cruces in the Mesilla Valley, with the jagged Organ Mountains, the Desert Peaks, the Doña Ana Mountains, and Potrillo Mountains of the Chihuahuan Desert. It has petroglyphs, Billy the Kid sites, Apache history, and hiking, and it was established in 2014.

Highlights

• Dripping Springs Natural Area: a 1.5-mile trail to an old resort, with a visitor center
• Aguirre Spring: a campground and hiking to the Baylor Pass and the Organ Needle
• Kilbourne Hole and Prehistoric Trackways: volcanic and fossil sites

Hike the Dripping Springs Trail

One of the most popular hikes in the monument, this roughly 3‑mile trail leads through desert vegetation to historic ruins, including an old sanatorium and resort. The trail is relatively easy and offers a mix of history, canyon scenery, and mountain views.

Explore Aguirre Spring Recreation Area

Located at the base of dramatic granite cliffs, this area offers hiking trails, scenic drives, and camping with views of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands. It’s also a great starting point for several trails that climb into the Organ Mountains.

Hike the Baylor Canyon / Baylor Pass Trail

This trail crosses the Organ Mountains and provides expansive views of the desert and surrounding basins. Starting near Aguirre Springs, it’s a longer hike that showcases changing terrain from desert shrubs to higher elevation landscapes.

Go Rock Climbing in the Organ Mountains

The steep granite spires and rugged peaks of the Organ Mountains make them one of the top climbing destinations in the region. Climbers can find routes ranging from beginner-friendly areas to advanced multi-pitch climbs.

Visit Dripping Springs Natural Area

This day-use area features several shorter trails, a visitor center, and interpretive exhibits. Visitors can explore scenic canyons, seasonal springs, and historic structures while learning about the area’s natural and cultural history.

Discover Petroglyphs and Historic Sites

The monument contains hundreds of known archaeological sites, including petroglyphs carved into rock by ancient cultures. Visitors can also explore historic locations connected to old trade routes, outlaw legends, and early settlements.

Enjoy Scenic Drives and Desert Views

Drive routes such as Baylor Canyon Road offer outstanding views of the Organ Mountains, especially the jagged “Needles” peaks. These scenic areas provide excellent opportunities for photography and sightseeing without long hikes.

Camping and Outdoor Recreation

Visitors can camp at sites like Aguirre Springs Campground or enjoy primitive camping in more remote areas. Additional activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, and exploring the monument’s vast open landscapes.

Protected areas

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks protects many archaeological and cultural sites of interest. The Aden Lava Flow Wilderness Study Area is here and there are 243 known archaeological sites within the monument, including some of the earliest Native American settlements and petroglyphs known from three different tribes. The land also includes Shelter Cave and Conkling Cavern. Fossils of ground sloths have been found in the area.

More recently the land was used by William H. Bonney, better known as the outlaw Billy the Kid, and Geronimo, a leader during the Apache Wars, both of whom lived in various parts of New Mexico in the 19th century. It is said that Billy the Kid visited "Outlaw Rock", and there is a cave known as "Geronimo's Rock". The monument also includes 22 miles (35 km) of the historic Butterfield Stagecoach Trail.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, AllTrails Guide, Aguirre Spring Recreation Area, Visit Las Cruces Guide, Organ Mountains Travel Guide, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.