Things to do / Travel Guide
Outdoor Sports and Recreation around White Sands National Monument and Alamogordo, New Mexico
Lincoln National Forest, just east of Alamogordo, offers many hiking and mountain biking trails. Families will take note that the forest is the home of the real Smokey the Bear and outdoor sports enthusiasts take note of the rock climbing, caving, camping, fishing and skiing in the park. Note that the Sacramento Ranger District is closest to Alamogordo.
A few minutes west of Alamogordo, White Sands National Monument makes for unique short hikes into the 250 square mile expanse of white gypsum “sand”. The Alkali Flat Trail is recommended for a half-day or less venture out into dunes. Shorter trails are available as well. If you are driving through this part of the American Southwest, you should definitely plan a stop at White Sands, even if only for an hour or two.
Outdoor (really, Indoor) Recreation in Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns is one of the largest and most impressive caves in the United States and is and is an easily accessible attraction on the non-spelunking family vacation. Besides the self-guided paved walk through the popular areas of the cave, the park ranger's offer guided tours that explore other areas of the caves, ranging from paved and well-lit routes to an adventurous half-day of crawling and squeezing through narrow passages, on the Hall of the White Giant Tour.
Outdoor Recreation in Big Bend National Park, West Texas
Big Bend National Park is one of the more remote wilderness areas in the United States. This largely deserted area is surprisingly varied. Expect deserts and mountains, forests and cacti, alpine meadows and buttes and canyons. You won't find many roads, but there are lots of trails ranging from day hikes in the various areas of the park to multi-day wilderness treks. There are hundreds of miles of paved and dirt roads for every level of cyclists.
Outdoor Recreation in El Paso, Carlsbad, Big Bend, Western Texas and Southern New Mexico
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
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