Southwest, New Mexico
New Mexico's Southwest Region, home to the first designated wilderness in the country, offers boundless opportunities to enjoy the state's natural landscape and exhilarating history. The Gila Wilderness, established in 1924, influenced notable individuals such as Also Leopold - the conservationist whose efforts helped secure the Gila Forest wilderness area as a protected space - and courageous Apache chief Geronimo. Visitors journey in a land of cacti, junipers, pine, aspens, black bears, mountain lions, elk, and wild turkeys while hiking, camping, birding or rafting in the Gila Mountains.
New Mexico's second largest city lies in the Southwest Region. Las Cruces (Spanish for "the crosses"), so named because it was the site of several cross-topped graves of an 1830s caravan of travelers ambushed by Apache Indians, still harbors the ghosts of many historic figures and events. Las Cruces Sheriff Pat Garrett captured infamous outlaw Billy the Kid and held him in Mesilla's jailhouse. You can still see the site of this jail when you visit Las Cruses and the Mesilla Plaza for some of the region's finest shopping and dining.
Explore Southwest
Florida Mountains
Gym Peak at 7,106 feet, Florida Peak at 7,295 feet. Seasonal quail / ibex hunts, by permit, applications due early April. 15
Deming, NM Natural AttractionsNutcracker Suite Pecan Farms
Antique car collection, Sat. BBQ, covered-wagon rides, gift /
Anthony, NM AgricultureMagdalena Stock Driveway / Shipping Pens
At end of longest "hoof highway" in New Mexico. Used from as far away as Springerville, Arizona; closed when the AT&SF Railroad ceased in 1971
Magdalena, NM Pioneer HistoryLake Valley Backcountry Byway
Begin at Caballo, 16 miles south of TorC on I-25, go 17 miles west on NM-152 to Hillsboro, drive 31 miles south on NM-27 to Nutt (through Lake Valley); turn west onto NM-26, driving 28 miles southwest toward Deming. Informational kiosks on NM-27 in Lake Valley area and NM-152, 8
Hillsboro, NM Scenic DrivesFort Bayard
1863 U.S. Infantry post, once housed Buffalo Soldiers. Original officers'
Silver City, NM Historic FortsChihuahuan Desert Nature Park
Self-guided tour of desert flora, geological formations, archaeology, 1.5
Las Cruces, NM Tours