Dripping Springs Natural Area

Dripping Springs Natural Area 15000 Dripping Springs Rd. Las Cruces, NM 88005
The Dripping Springs Natural Area is located 10 miles east of Las Cruces, on the west side of the Organ Mountains. From Exit 1 on Interstate 25, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road east to the end.
Dripping Springs Natural Area
The Dripping Springs Natural Area has over four miles of easy hiking trails, including the Dripping Springs Trail, which shows off desert scrub and low elevation pinon-juniper and oak woodlands. The area also boasts excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including excellent year-round viewing of red-tailed hawk, Gambel's quail, golden eagle and rock squirrel. It offers very good year-round viewing of desert mule deer and coyote. Also watch for black-throated sparrow, ladder-backed woodpecker, verdin, black-tailed gnatcatcher, lesser nighthawk, Scott's oriole, cactus wren, desert cottontail, and collared and tree lizard in the spring and summer.
Gate Hours (change with Daylight Savings Time)
Summer (March-Nov): 7a.m. - Sunset
Winter (Nov-March): 8a.m. - Sunset
Dripping Springs Natural Area is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Photos
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Fees
- $5 per vehicle for day use, $15 per bus.
- We offer a local Las Cruces District annual day use pass for $30.
- The La Cueva Group Site can be reserved for $50 per day. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (575) 525-4300 or visiting 1800 Marquess St., Las Cruces, NM 88005
Season/Hours
- Open year-round, except closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
- April through September the entrance gate is open 7:00 a.m. until sunset
- October through March the entrance gate is open 8:00 a.m. until sunset
- The Visitors Center is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Brochures
FACILITIES
The Dripping Springs Natural Area has a visitor center, handicapped-accessible restrooms, 12 picnic sites, and one large family/group picnic site that can be reserved through the BLM Las Cruces District Office (see Contact Information on the right). There is no camping and pets are allowed only on designated trails. Check with the visitor center or call for more information.
Visitor Center
The Dripping Springs Visitor Center offers interpretive displays of the Organ Mountains. It is located 10 miles east of Interstate 25, Exit 1, on the western edge of the Organ Mountains in the Dripping Springs Natural Area. It is open all year, except winter holidays, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 p.m. The Dripping Springs Natural Area Visitor Center can be reached at (575) 522-1219.
For additional information visitors can also contact the Las Cruces District BLM office at 575-525-4300.