Make public lands part of your holiday outdoor plans

Throughout southern New Mexico, one will find 5.4 million acres of public land filled with an abundance of wildlife, vegetation, recreational opportunities, and miles upon miles of scenic, rugged, and fertile working landscapes. Spread across six counties — Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Otero, Sierra, and Luna — these Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands, managed by the Las Cruces District Office, are waiting to be enjoyed this holiday season!

Getting out to enjoy public land can take many forms, including hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle (OHV) and horseback riding, or simply taking in the sights and sounds one evening under a blanket of stars. Families and their visitors will find BLM-managed public land a great diversion from routine holiday activities.

This upcoming Thanksgiving holiday offers perfect opportunities to go picnicking, camping, hiking, and communing with nature. These activities are a great way to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation with the sweet smells of nature and the wonderful surprises of southern New Mexico’s flora and fauna.

Here are some outdoor activities for the family to consider. They are an ideal way to escape from some very hectic schedules, be with loved ones, and share the rich legacy and diversity of public lands in the Land of Enchantment.

Hiking/Picnicking: 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 piñon-juniper and oak woodlands. It has a visitor center, handicapped-accessible restrooms, 12 picnic sites, and one large family/group picnic site that can be reserved. Just be aware that Dripping Springs is closed on Thanksgiving Day. The rest of the weekend it will be business as usual.

Mountain Biking/Equestrian Riding: Sierra Vista Trail is a 29-mile non-motorized recreation trail along the western flank of the Organ Mountains and the eastern side of the Franklin Mountains. The Trail provides spectacular views of the mountains, which jut majestically above the desert floor.

Camping/Star Gazing: Aguirre Springs Campground is the only high-country campground in the Las Cruces/El Paso/Juarez region.  It is also a popular picnic site on weekends and holidays.  The Campground includes 57 family sites and two group sites that can be reserved.  It is dog-friendly, but dogs must be leashed at all times.

OHV Riding: Aden Hills OHV Area is approximately 20 miles southwest of Las Cruces.  The Area encompasses approximately 8,700 acres of Chihuahuan Desert mesquite or creosote dunes and a variety of grasses, yucca, and cacti.

The BLM’s number one tip for all public land visitors is to be prepared! Don’t forget to let someone know about your holiday plans and estimated time of return. Take plenty of water, food, and outdoor essentials, including proper shoes, clothing, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

“Know before you go” is another important tip to ensure a safe and fun adventure, regardless of whether it is for an hour, day, overnight, or the weekend. Stop by the BLM Las Cruces District Office at 1800 Marquess Street in Las Cruces for maps, brochures, or information on the area to be visited.

Information on these and other spectacular public land and recreational opportunities can also be found at your fingertips by visiting BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/new-mexico or https://www.blm.gov/office/las-cruces-district-office.