Interesting Museums and Breathtaking Vistas in Las Cruces, NM.

Leaving Carlsbad, NM, we continued our RV journey west, skirting El Paso, Texas, before arriving for a brief stay in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Our travel plans were shaped by a winter storm sweeping south, and we managed to stay just ahead of its chilly grip as we made our way toward the warmth of Tucson, Arizona. Las Cruces immediately impressed us with its unique geographic location, nestled in the Mesilla Valley along the Rio Grande, right in the heart of the vast Chihuahuan Desert. Despite the seemingly flat landscape, the city sits at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet. Our campsite was perched on a hill west of the city, offering panoramic views of Las Cruces and the magnificent Organ Mountains, whose dramatic, needle-like spires are shaped by erosion and the shifting Rio Grande Rift. To our surprise, Las Cruces turned out to be much more than just a picturesque desert town—it’s actually the second largest city in New Mexico, both in size and population, trailing only Albuquerque. It’s also a dynamic regional center for agricultural innovation and history, making its prominence even more unexpected. It was a good place to hold over until the storm passed.  

Our first day in Las Cruces brought us to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, a true showcase of the region’s rich agricultural legacy and vibrant history. The museum is 

Judy and Billy the Kid Statue

truly expansive, featuring fascinating exhibits that bring the story of New Mexico’s farming and ranching heritage to life. One of the highlights was the in-depth presentation on the Lincoln County War—an epic struggle for control in the late 1800s. The museum’s displays dive deep into the background of this conflict, spotlighting legendary figures like Billy the Kid and illustrating the dramatic events that shaped the area. We were captivated by authentic artifacts, detailed accounts of the “Five-Day Battle,” and the rivalry between powerful factions vying for economic dominance. The “Saddle Makers of the Southwest” exhibit further impressed us with its gorgeous, handcrafted leather saddles and the artistry of local craftsmen. What really stood out was how the museum’s layout spans both indoor galleries and outdoor exhibits, including live livestock areas that make the experience immersive and dynamic. With such a wide variety of displays—ranging from interactive educational setups to historical reenactments and live animal demonstrations, the museum felt huge and endlessly interesting, offering something new at every turn.  

Grinding corm at NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

On our second day in Las Cruces, marked by inclement weather, we proceeded eastward through the Organ Mountains under persistent rainfall, low temperatures and dense fog to visit the White Sands Missile Range Museum, located within the U.S. Army’s expansive missile test site. As the base operates actively, entry required passage through a security checkpoint. Typically, civilian visitors are instructed to park outside and walk a quarter mile to the museum; however, due to adverse weather conditions and minimal attendance, the guard conducted an expedited background check for Judy, myself, and our vehicle, and allowed us passage directly to the parking lot. Inside, the museum offered numerous informative exhibits detailing the history of rocket development and atomic weapons research. Notable displays covered early rocketry, the V-2 testing program, and the Trinity Site, which represents the location of the first atomic

bomb test. After viewing the indoor exhibits, on our way back to the truck, in windy and rainy conditions we took a brief walk through the outdoor missile park. Here the exterior collection showcased over 35 rockets, missiles, and deployment vehicles from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, all arranged in simulated firing positions. Although our time outdoors was brief due to the conditions, we were impressed by the scale and diversity of the technology on display. Touring an active military installation, surrounded by a forest of rockets, left us feeling like extras in an action-adventure movie--definitely not your average museum day!

Las Cruces, NM turned out to be a delightful surprise, offering stunning scenery and a fascinating history that went beyond our expectations. The city’s rugged desert views, set against the Organ Mountains and the Rio Grande, along with our tours of two very different museums, made our RV stop both educational and memorable. These experiences broadened our outlook, revealing everything from the craft of saddle making to pivotal events in the atomic era. Our short stay in Las Cruces blended natural beauty with deep cultural heritage. With that, we conclude another chapter of our journey as we tell… the Rest of the Story.