Dripping Springs Natural Area

About Dripping Springs Natural Area

OverviewThe 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.HoursSummer (March-Nov): 7 AM - SunsetWinter (Nov-March): 8 AM - SunsetDripping Springs Natural Area is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.FacilitiesThe 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 CenterThe Dripping Springs Visitor Center offers interpretive displays of the Organ Mountains.Open: 8 AM - 5 PMContact: (575) 522-1219Las Cruse District Office Address and Contact1800 Marquess StreetLas Cruces, NM 88005-3371575-525-4300Helpful LinksVisit: Las Cruces District OfficeMore Information: New MexicoDripping Springs Natural Area History Brochure

How to Get There

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.

Plan Your Visit to Dripping Springs Natural Area

Heading to Dripping Springs Natural Area? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• Park map (PDF)
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)