The Dripping Springs Natural Area, including the visitor center, picnic sites and all the hiking trails within the area, will be closed to visitors on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Outside of these three holidays, Dripping Springs is open year around. The gate opens 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to March, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to September.
The day use fees are $5 per vehicle and $15 per bus. In addition, there is a fee of $50 for the group picnic site; with the other 12 picnic sites free with the $5 day use fee. Reservations are required for the group site and can be made by calling the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District Office at 575-525-4300.
Popular with visitors, 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 red-tailed hawk, ladder-backed woodpecker, desert mule deer, desert cottontail and collared and tree lizard – just to name a few.
Opened from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the Dripping Springs Visitor Center offers interpretive displays of the Organ Mountains, brochures and maps. The facilities, including sidewalks and restrooms, are handicapped accessible.
Leased dogs are allowed in the Natural Area, but not past the Crawford Trail Junction on the Dripping Springs and La Cueva Trails. At all times, dog owners must pick up after their pets. In addition, camping is not allowed along any of the trails.
Framed by the majestic Organ Mountains, the Dripping Springs Natural Area is located 10 miles east of Las Cruces, on the west side of the mountains. From Exit 1 on Interstate 25, visitors will take University Avenue to Dripping Springs Road east to the Visitor Center parking lot.
For more information on the Dripping Springs Natural Area and to confirm hours of operation and to make picnic site reservations, please call BLM at 575-525-4300.