State - New Mexico Visitor Center Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w5D8HvmTUchbvPbJ8 Park: Petroglyphs National Monument Length: Each trail will be individually listed with mileage below Fee: Free Petroglyph National Monument offers several options to hikers whether they want a short, informative stroll or a full blown suffer-fest among ancient volcanoes. Northwest of downtown Albuquerque, a hiker can easily drive to several units that make up this park. I'll detail the ones

State: New Mexico Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4L1vhM9ePRafFXv18 Park: White Sands National Park Length: 4.5 miles Elevation: 52 feet Fee: Standard National Park Fees // Jagged yucca and thorned mesquite trees transition to smooth and serpentine dunes. The tans and ochres of the valley give way to strikingly white ridges of sand, layered against each other like vanilla soft serve ice cream. White Sands National Park rises suddenly out of the Chihuahuan Desert like anoth

State: Texas Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yAyhH7zJYx9UamtZ8 Park: Big Bend National Park Length: 2 miles Elevation: 246 feet Fee: Standard National Park Fees // The wind races through the wash, transecting the mesa and blowing sand into a hovering vortex and swiftly into my eyes. I secure my baseball cap down quickly. The gusts haven't stopped since 10 AM. The creosote, low and huddled to the ground, barely waves in the wind as this cold front gradually moves into the

State: New Mexico Trailhead Location: Approximately 2.5 miles beyond the Visitor Center Park: White Sands National Park Length: 1 mile, out-and-back Fee: Varies, see park details for discounts and passes // As a hiker who loves the challenge of distances and the high gypsum dunes, I almost passed this trail up the first time I visited the park. There are several draws to this short 1 mile jaunt. Firstly, it's family friendly and a short distance for those who aren't up for th

State: New Mexico Trailhead Location: Aguirre Springs Campground Park: Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument Length: 4 miles, out-and-back Fee: $5 for day use as of 10/25/2025 // Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument is a hidden gem in the El Paso and Las Cruces area. Most hikers know about the Franklin Mountains, White Sands, Ruidoso, and Cloudcroft. But some of the best camping, hiking, and scrambling can be found in this national monument managed by B