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Planning to get outdoors for the holiday weekend?  Here are a few locations to consider for a holiday filled with hiking, mountain biking, camping, and picnicking.  These locations are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District and offer the public a variety of ways to enjoy their public lands located virtually in their backyard.

• Dripping Springs Natural Area (Natural Area) has over 4 miles of easy hiking trails, including the Dripping Springs Trail, which shows off desert scrub and low elevation piñon-juniper and oak woodlands.  It also has a visitor center, handicapped-accessible restrooms, 12 picnic sites, and one large family/group picnic site that can be reserved for events.  The entrance fee to Natural Area is $5 per day per vehicle.  Parking is limited in both the Visitor Center and the La Cueva Loop Trail.  Dogs are not allowed on portions of the La Cueva and Dripping Springs Trails.  In addition, hikers are prohibited from entering, walking, or climbing on historical structures along the trails.
• Aguirre Spring Campground (Campground) is the only high-country campground in the Las Cruces/El Paso/Juarez region.  It is also a popular picnic site on weekends and holidays.  The Campground includes 57 family sites and two group sites that can be reserved.  The cost to enter Aguirre Spring to hike is $5 per day and $7 per night to camp.  Exact cash - $5, $7, or $12 for day and night fees will be helpful for the busy holiday weekend.  
• Soledad Canyon Day Use Area includes the 3-mile loop Bar Canyon Trail, which offers an easy and scenic hike very close to Las Cruces.  The Bar Canyon Trail includes scenic vistas of the central Organ Mountains and the southern Mesilla Valley.  While parking is limited, there is no fee to hike in Soledad Canyon.  Hikers are prohibited from entering, walking, or climbing on the historical structures in this area.
• Tortugas ‘A’ Mountain Recreation Area’s trails are used regularly by nearby residents for short, but quality biking and hiking opportunities.  The lower mountain biking trails are a great place for beginners to the sport.  As skills are developed, there are more technical routes available as well.  Ramadas with tables are available on the east and west side of ‘A’ Mountain.  However, you’ will need to get to them early to secure their use.  There is no cost to bike or hike in this area.
• Prehistoric Trackways National Monument (Monument) is a great venue for hiking and taking in the views of the east valley.  Located in the Robledo Mountains northwest of Las Cruces, the Monument contains the SST Trail, which is an extremely technical mountain biking trail that traverses challenging rocky terrain, steep canyons, and mountaintop ridges -- and requires expert riding skills.  In addition, the other trails in the Monument are great for hiking, equestrian, and off-highway vehicle use.  The use of this area is free to the public.  

When visiting these areas, the BLM encourages all visitors to “Leave No Trace” and follow these important advisories: 1) Clean up all litter, including debris from pets, and dispose of it properly; 2) Have pets leased at all times, and don’t allow them to disturb other visitors or harass wildlife; 3) Build fires in grills or existing fire rings only; 4) Do not discharge fireworks and firearms as they are prohibited; and 5) Do not use or disburse confetti or confetti eggs in these areas.

While no credit cards are accepted in any of the fee use areas, the BLM will accept the Golden Age, Access, America the Beautiful, or the BLM Las Cruces District Office Recreation Pass for all entrance and use fees.

These are just a few areas in the Las Cruces vicinity the public can enjoy.  For more information on other public lands to explore in southern New Mexico, call the BLM office at 575-525-4412 or go to www.blm.gov/new-mexico.