Things to Do in Las Cruces, White Sands and Ruidoso
Gypsum dunes, a historic plaza and the Organ Mountains in the Chihuahuan Desert.
See top-rated activities »About Las Cruces and White Sands
Las Cruces is New Mexico's second-largest city and the anchor for the southern part of the state. It sits in the Mesilla Valley, a long strip of pecan orchards and chile fields along the Rio Grande, with the sawtooth Organ Mountains rising directly east. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument protects the range and the desert around it, and Dripping Springs, on the west side of the mountains, is a popular short hike to the ruins of an old resort.
Next door, the small town of Mesilla grew around a plaza that was briefly in Mexico until the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. The Basilica of San Albino anchors one side, and old adobe buildings now hold shops, galleries and restaurants. In Las Cruces itself, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum covers 3,000 years of farming and ranching in the region with barns, livestock and demonstrations, and the downtown farmers market fills Main Street on Saturday and Wednesday mornings.
White Sands National Park is about an hour northeast, over San Agustin Pass. Its dunes are made of gypsum rather than quartz, so they stay bright white and cool to the touch. You can drive the Dunes Drive, walk the boardwalk or the longer marked trails, and sled down the slopes on plastic saucers sold at the visitor center. The road can close for a few hours during missile tests on the neighboring White Sands Missile Range, so check the park's schedule. Alamogordo, the nearest town, has the New Mexico Museum of Space History and a large pistachio farm with tours and tastings.
Climb another 45 minutes into the Sacramento Mountains and the desert gives way to pine forest at Ruidoso, a resort town with cabins, a summer horse racing season at Ruidoso Downs and the Inn of the Mountain Gods resort run by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. North of Ruidoso, the Lincoln Historic Site preserves the town where Billy the Kid made his best-known escape.
Don’t Miss
The world's largest gypsum dune field, with a scenic drive, boardwalk, trails and sledding on the dunes.
A 19th-century plaza with the Basilica of San Albino, adobe shops and restaurants.
Rugged peaks and desert trails, including Dripping Springs and the Aguirre Spring campground.
Working barns, livestock and exhibits on the region's long farming and ranching history.
A mountain lake resort owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, with golf and a casino.
A preserved frontier town tied to the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Las Cruces and White Sands
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Get free trip quotes »Las Cruces and White Sands — FAQ
How much time should I spend at White Sands?
Half a day is enough for the scenic drive, the boardwalk and some sledding. Stay until sunset if you can; the dunes turn pink and the light is the best of the day.
Why does the White Sands road sometimes close?
The park sits next to White Sands Missile Range, and Dunes Drive and U.S. 70 can close for a few hours during tests. The park posts scheduled closures on its website.
Where should I stay in southern New Mexico?
Las Cruces has the most hotels and restaurants. Alamogordo is closest to White Sands, and Ruidoso suits travelers who want cooler mountain weather and cabins.
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