Extended Weekend Getaways 
By Allison Torres Burtka
Freelance Travel Writer
Originally published in the March 2025 issue
My husband, two daughters, and I love spending time in nature. We flew into Albuquerque and took a road trip from there, visiting several parks and natural wonders that are breathtaking. We hiked through vastly different landscapes, marveled at wildlife, and soaked in hot springs.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
We drove in to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge at sunrise, when the sky and the Chupadera Mountains were painted in shades of pink and lavender. Dawn is a good time to spot wildlife, and in the distance, we saw a large coyote or mountain lion trotting along.
The refuge was established in 1939 as a stopover point and breeding ground for migratory waterbirds and other wildlife. It spans more than 57,000 acres.
We drove around a tour loop to see the various land types: desert, wetlands, and bosque (riparian forest). We hiked the 2.5-mile Canyon National Recreation Trail, a loop that took us through a slot canyon and up a mesa that overlooked the refuge. High on a canyon wall after we rounded a turn, we saw a gray fox scamper away from us.
In the spring, the refuge is home to 25 species of migrating shorebirds, including ibis and sandpipers. We also spotted two bald eagles high in a tree.
White Sands National Park
Situated in the Chihuahuan Desert, White Sands National Park is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. It became a national park in 2019.
The sand dunes are unlike any others I’ve seen—they are bright white, and they extend into the distance in all directions. It almost felt like we weren’t on Earth. The sand is so white because it’s made of gypsum rather than quartz, like most sand. It also feels finer and is cool to the touch, even though the sun was intense.
We started off on one of the trails, running up and down the dunes and stopping to play around in the sand. After doing handstands and cartwheels, we noticed that the sand didn’t stick to our skin like sand normally does.
It was noticeably warmer on the dunes than it was nearby, so extra water is a necessity. Also, because the sand shifts frequently, our trail wasn’t exactly recognizable as a trail—just a series of posts to mark the way, and people sometimes get lost on the trails. For these reasons, I’d probably avoid White Sands in the summer.
On a mild day, though, it was an unforgettable experience that I’d love to repeat.
After White Sands, we drove to Las Cruces and stayed at Hotel Encanto, a standout on our trip. It has a gorgeous indoor courtyard and year-round outdoor pool area, and the breakfast we had there far surpassed the usual hotel breakfast. Nearby, we went on a beautiful run through tall cacti on the Sierra Vista Trail.
Gila National Forest
Our next hike was up to the top of Gomez Peak in Gila National Forest, which covers more than 3 million acres. We hiked about 5 miles on parts of the Little Walnut Trail System.
This climb was a challenge, but the cool air felt fresh, and my kids kept saying things like “This is exhilarating!” and “I feel amazing!” I’ve never been on a trail lined by both evergreen trees and cacti. It felt like an alpine landscape, but in the desert.
As we approached the peak, we kept thinking we were almost there. But, because of the trail’s many switchbacks to help hikers navigate the steep climb, it took us longer to get there than we expected. It was worth it. At the top, we were rewarded with views of mountains in all directions.
Truth or Consequences?
The name of this town used to be Hot Springs, but it was changed to “Truth or Consequences” in 1950, as part of a publicity event with the game show of the same name. The town has been known for its natural hot springs for hundreds of years—they come from a rift along the Rio Grande.
We checked into the beautiful Sierra Grande hotel and took advantage of the hotel’s own hot springs, tiptoeing outside into the cool air in our robes and sinking into the warm water to relax. For dinner, we had delicious pizza at Outer Edge.
The next day, we visited Riverbend Hot Springs on the banks of the Rio Grande. They offer private pools, like large hot tubs, that are right on the edge of the river. The air was chilly, but the hot springs felt wonderful on our muscles after days of hiking and running. I always enjoy hot springs, but being able to soak in them while watching the Rio Grande flow by was special.
On our trip, we also enjoyed shorter walks at Rockhound State Park, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, and Elephant Butte Lake State Park. We drove through Hatch, where that type of green chile comes from, and ate Hatch chile every chance we got.
New Mexico has made me want to return.
