Dripping Springs Natural Area
Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico.
June 20, 2024 update: Effective Immediately, the Dripping Springs Natural Area A.B. Cox Visitor’s Center will no longer be issuing America the Beautiful and BLM Las Cruces District Annual Recreation Passes. In addition, the Visitor’s Center will no longer accept cash for transactions. An iron ranger will still be onsite for those who prefer to pay with cash or check. Within the next few months, the BLM plans to install a remote off-grid kiosk that will allow for cashless payments and distribution of receipts for day-use activities. Stay tuned for more information.
Overview
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.
Hours
Summer (March-Nov): 7 AM - Sunset
Winter (Nov-March): 8 AM - Sunset
Dripping Springs Natural Area is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Facilities
The Dripping Springs Natural Area offers handicapped-accessible restrooms, 12 picnic sites, and one reservable large family/group picnic site. Contact the Las Cruse District Office for more information.
There is no camping and pets are allowed only on designated trails.
Visitors Center
The Dripping Springs Visitor Center offers interpretive displays of the Organ Mountains.
Open: 8 AM - 5 PM
Contact: (575) 522-1219
Las Cruse District Office Address and Contact
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, NM 88005-3371
575-525-4300
Helpful Links
- Visit: Las Cruces District Office
- More Information: New Mexico
- Dripping Springs Natural Area History Brochure
Nearby Activities
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Visitor Center
- Wildlife Viewing
Directions
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.
