City of Rocks State Park

City of Rocks State Park is one of the strangest and most memorable landscapes in New Mexico.

About halfway between Deming and Silver City, hundreds of enormous volcanic rock formations rise from the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert. Narrow passages wind between the rocks like streets and alleys, which is where the park gets its name. The formations were created by a massive volcanic eruption about 35 million years ago and slowly sculpted by erosion. Today, some of the pinnacles rise around 40 feet above the desert floor.

Things to Do

Explore the City of Rocks

When you get to the City of Rocks, don’t bother looking for a trail.

Walk toward the city, climb onto the rocks, and wander between the enormous formations. There are many narrow passages, dead ends, openings, and little pockets hidden throughout the rock. The terrain is easy to navigate and offers lots of opportunities for photography. If you want a defined route, the Hydra Trail makes a roughly 3.25-mile loop around the main campground and rock formations.

Explore a Little More

Near the visitor center, a small botanical garden showcases plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert. The park also has a space trail with displays about astronomy, planets, and the night sky. As you explore, keep an eye out for a few petroglyphs scattered among the rocks, offering a glimpse into the area’s much older human history.

Camp in the City

Camping is one of the coolest ways to experience City of Rocks.

Many campsites are directly between enormous volcanic formations, giving the campground much more character than a typical open desert campsite. After dark the park becomes an excellent place for stargazing and has an observatory that hosts astronomy programs and star parties. If your southern New Mexico road trip allows for a night of camping, this is one of the most memorable places to do it.

Final Take

City of Rocks State Park is small enough to explore in a couple of hours, but unusual enough that it is absolutely worth the detour. Wander through the formations, take photos, and consider spending the night under Bortle Class 2 skies, some of the darkest you’ll find in New Mexico. If you’re traveling between Deming and Silver City, this is one stop you shouldn’t pass up.