New Mexco via I 10 what to see or do

Not too much !

Along I-10 in New Mexico is lots of open land except of Las Cruces. However, if you want to get off I-10 there's Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands Nat'l Monument (Oliver Lee Memorial State Park to stay), Deming has lots of RV parks and also Rockhound State Park, Silver City (City of Rocks State Park is unique) and by then you'll be entering Arizona.

If you're coming from the east, you're almost halfway across the state when you enter NM between El Paso and Las Cruces. There are interesting things to see and do - and great food - in the Las Cruces area: La Mesilla, White Sands National Monument just about an hour away, some good hikes in the Organ Mountains (on both sides of the pass) about 20 minutes away, etc. Chope's Bar & Grill in La Mesa (just south of Las Cruces) is an awesome place to have some home-style Mexican food.

As mentioned, you have to get off the interstate to see places like Carlsbad Caverns, the mountains around Cloudcroft or Ruidoso to the east, or the Gila Wilderness to the west-northwest (including Silver City and other places). The same is true if you're traveling the northern route across the state on I-40; you have to get off the interstate to see Santa Fe, Taos, Angel Fire, the Carson National Forest, and all those great places. We've found that, no matter where we are in the nation, the interstate system does not pass through the most scenic or interesting parts of any state. You have to get off on the secondary roads to really see the sights.

Of course, as a Las Cruces native, I'm going to tell you that the best Mexican food on earth is found in this part of the Rio Grande valley. The "dives" are usually the best places to eat (if you hear mostly Spanish spoken when you walk in, you know you're in the right place!).

Rob

We will be taking I-10 in July and will be stopping at Carlsbad(actually Brantley State Park) and commute to the Cavern's while enroute to Tyler Texas. I'll be watching for suggestions....Have a Great trip!

We should be heading through in july if everythings goes as planned, have a safe trip.

How about some Cliff Dwellings or other archeological type of places? JH

Adding.....if going to Carlsbad...the KOA is just north of the city...1st class, and a bit further north from there, (under a hour?) is Roswell. Space ships...aliens (not illegal)...an interesting place complete with museum and stores. A good day trip and a fun place.
Maybe a hour south of the KOA is the Carlsbad Caverns. Then check the "sun observatory". Lots of things to do. Park the motorhome and get in the "toad".

Lauren wrote:
Not too much !

Yep LOTS & LOTS of NOTHING except road and scrub grass.

Larry

For the nearest cliff dwellings you need to take a side trip up to Silver City and then go north on a paved forest road to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Not as spectacular like other sites but still interesting.