Las Cruces, a true desert destination, is nestled in southern New Mexico’s scenic Mesilla Valley.
This Chihuahuan Desert city of about 117,000 is situated between the Rio Grande and the majestic Organ Mountains. What makes Las Cruces a great destination for RVers? Read on to find out.
Getting there
Las Cruces sits in southern New Mexico at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25. You can follow the interstate network into town from almost any direction. It is also less than an hour from El Paso and only about 45 minutes to White Sands National Park.
Downtown Las Cruces
For RVers, one of the best parts of Las Cruces is how walkable it is to enjoy. The Downtown Las Cruces Partnership boasts that the downtown area is a safe, vibrant, and diverse community. You can take the Mesquite Historic District walking tour to see for yourself. This tour is a mile loop with seven stops.
In the same compact area, Plaza de Las Cruces serves as a gathering space for concerts, festivals, markets, and cultural celebrations. You won’t want to miss the award-winning Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market that stretches seven blocks and draws nearly 300 rotating vendors.
Downtown also offers you several museum stops: the city’s Museum of Art, Branigan Cultural Center, Museum of Nature and Science, and Railroad Museum, all of which sit within the urban core. Best of all, the museums have free admission.
University
Las Cruces is also the home of New Mexico State University. As with many university towns, NMSU features special events, sports contests, and galleries that may interest RVers.
Park base
Las Cruces also works well as a base for seeing national parks. White Sands National Park’s visitor center is located about an hour away. It’s important to remember that services between Las Cruces and White Sands are limited, so plan ahead. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is farther out, about 197 miles from Las Cruces.
Only about ten minutes from Las Cruces is Old Mesilla. Mesilla Plaza is a well-preserved historic town and has been named a National Historic Monument. Within the thick-walled adobe buildings, visitors will find wonderful galleries, restaurants, museums, and gift shops. You can shop inside the Billy the Kid gift shop, where Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to hang.
Editor’s note from Emily: Have a drink at the Golden Eagle Restaurant (and see if you can spot a ghost) and dinner at La Posta De Mesilla, an old stagecoach station-turned restaurant.
RVers enjoy leisurely walking through this area, which holds so much history.
Places to stay
- Leasburg Dam State Park is a popular state park near Las Cruces. Positioned along the Rio Grande, Leasburg is just 15 miles from town. It offers RVers 12 water and 30-amp electric and four water and 50-amp electric sites, plus an RV dump station on premises. Visitors will also find campground restrooms and showers. For RVers who want a quieter spot with fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and easy city access, it is a smart choice.
- Hacienda RV Resort is an in-town option. This campground sits off I-10 at exit 140 and has 113 big-rig-friendly sites. Hacienda features full hookups with 30/50-amp service, paved roads, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a hot tub, a dog park, and sites up to 110 feet long. That makes it a strong pick for longer rigs, remote workers, and anyone who wants a more resort-style stay while still being close to Old Mesilla and the rest of southern New Mexico.
- Sunny Acres RV Park is another convenient base, especially if you like being able to walk for a meal or a few errands. The park is for those 55+, has large sites, full hookups with 30/50-amp service, cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry, private restrooms and showers. RVers will appreciate the easy access to I-10, I-25, and US-70. Guests are within walking distance of restaurants, groceries, a bus stop, antique shopping, and more.
You should go!
Las Cruces, New Mexico, is an RV-friendly hub. It offers walking/hiking/biking trails, a vibrant art scene, and wonderfully authentic food. Plan a trip today!
You can download the official Las Cruces visitor guide here.
MORE NEW MEXICO TRAVEL:
- Driving New Mexico’s 84-mile Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
- Exploring New Mexico’s Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
- Clayton Lake State Park: A New Mexico gem for camping and exploring
- Where to find the BEST green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico
- Fantastic RVing at New Mexico’s historic Pancho Villa State Park
- Hiking and sledding in New Mexico’s White Sands National Park
RVT1261
The name of the restaurant in Mesilla is the double eagle. As a full time RVR for several years, I can definitely suggest Las Cruces as a wonderful destination. So much to see and do.
The restaurant is the Double Eagle. It is beautifully restored and has a fascinating history. Ask for a tour.
BLM land near Dripping Springs, beautiful views.
I’ve stayed at the Hacienda resort a couple of times on my way to Palm Springs. Great place and White Sands NP is small but awesome! Ah, the days when us Canadians travelled to the USA! See you in a couple of years!🇨🇦
Please no hate, I love travelling to America and Americans are awesome. You know why we are staying away.🇨🇦
We have visited several times, and our favorite place is Spotted Dog Brewery in Mesilla.
Not mentioned is the prevalence of the 10-year-rule that may not be mentioned until you show up for your reserved site, the park with the fence topped by razor wire and has flashing blue and red lights and “police camera” on poles and the park west of town that doubled the quoted price when they learned that our rig was more than 10 years old.
I like Las Cruces but it’s not rv-friendly.
We have been snowbirding at Sunny Acres RV Park in Las Cruces for 13 years in 3 different RVs. We park the RV there, then take day trips to White Sands NP, the Space Museum in Alamogordo, Silver City and Gila Cliff Dwellings NM, the War Eagles vintage aircraft museum in Santa Teresa, the NM Farm & Ranch Museum, the Zuhl Museum (rocks and minerals), etc. We have done hikes in the Organ Mountains, City of Rocks State Park, La Llorona Park, Mesilla Valley Bosque SP, and many others. We also ride our E-bikes on the paths along the Rio Grande and bike lanes and back streets. Our favorite town in S. NM!