If you’re not from the Southwest, then a PCS move to one of the military installations in this region of the United States may feel like a completely different experience than the home you're used to. The desert landscapes, dry climate, and abundance of spices in regional cooking are an adventure and a change for those of us used to being surrounded by trees and water.
West Texas, New Mexico, and Southeast Arizona are home to several Army and Air Force bases, but they’re also overflowing with gorgeous desert landscape, picturesque mountains, and cherished national parks. It takes only a few hours to drive from one beautiful type of landscape to the next, rich with the culture of the borderlands.
Start checking off this list of ten places you won't want to miss visiting while stationed at Fort Huachuca, Fort Bliss, Davis-Monthan AFB, Holloman AFB, Cannon AFB, or Kirtland AFB!
1. Chiricahua National Monument
With scenic drives and hiking trails through the mountains, the rock displays at Chiricahua in Southeast Arizona will amaze you. Geologic features formed by volcanic eruptions, lava flows, and erosion look like giants playing with huge rocks, delighting children and adults alike.
2. Saguaro National Park
The farthest west on this list, Saguaro National Park (the “g” in saguaro is pronounced as a “w”), is the place to see the cactus you expect when you think of an American desert.
Located in Tucson, Arizona (near Davis-Monthan AFB), this park is home to towering Saguaro cacti, desert wildlife, and beautiful vistas. Families should check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson for more information on the region and a very cool indoor playground where you take on the views of a packrat, including an outlook to the desert.
A towering Saguaro cactus as a summer thunderstorm rolls in at the east section of the park.
3. Desert Dunes Day Trip
The rolling sand dunes of the typical American desert cannot prepare you for the sights of White Sands National Monument near Holloman AFB. The white gypsum dunes are cool to the touch and ready for hiking and sledding.
The heat and winds can be brutal here, so check the weather before your trip. Families enjoy sand sledding, sunset views, and glimpses of active wildlife like roadrunners and lizards.
4. From Desert to Mountain Forest in One Trip
The areas surrounding Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, are filled with things to do and see throughout the year, including museums, a zoo, local art, and historic missions.
Thanks to the mountains of the Cibola National Forest, you can also wind your way through several climates depending on your elevation. In the winter, enjoy a desert hike to see the Petroglyph National Monument or drive higher for snow in the Sandia Peak area, where there’s a tramway for the more adventurous.
5. A Nostalgic Drive in the Woods
The Lincoln National Forest covers a large area of land throughout New Mexico. During the holiday season, purchase a Christmas tree permit to find your own evergreen and visit Cloudcroft for seasonal festivities.
Or, plan a trip to a more northern area and stop to visit the Smokey the Bear Museum and gift shop in Capitan, NM, where Smokey was found as a cub after the Capitan Gap wildfire. Continue your drive to Lincoln, NM, where you can visit the museum and many historic buildings that tell the story of the Lincoln County War.
6. Gila Cliff Dwellings
After a winding drive through the Gila National Forest in NM, pausing at lookouts to admire beautiful forests, mountains, and wildlife, you will not be disappointed by a hike to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Marvel at the engineering feat of the Mogollon people who dwelled here for a short time, respectfully exploring the various rooms built into the cliff face through steps and ladders.
7. The Franklin Mountains
For soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Bliss, the view of the Franklin Mountains is an everyday occurrence. However, paying daily fees or purchasing an annual Texas State Parks Pass allows access to hiking trails, camping opportunities, and even rock climbing.
McKelligon Canyon and the Tom Mays Unit are popular destinations for local hiking year-round. The Mt. Cristo Rey Restoration Committee runs annual hikes during holy days to allow hiking where it is not usually allowed to see the monument in Sunland Park, NM.
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site offers self-guided views of this desert oasis and pictographs for a limited number of people each day. Events with park rangers are offered throughout the year, both during the day and at night for stargazing.
8. Chamizal National Monument
Located about 10 minutes from Fort Bliss and within sight of the U.S.-Mexico border, Chamizal tells the story of the borderlands through a museum, art installations, and as a venue for performances. The national monument and beautiful urban park commemorate the settlement of a border dispute at the location.
9. Carlsbad Caverns and the Guadalupe Mountains
Located very close to one another, explore deep caverns in NM and climb the highest peak in Texas, all in one trip. The Guadalupe Mountains offer abundant outdoor recreation. To explore the caves at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, take the elevator down or, for a more strenuous hike, walk through the natural entrance.
Memorial Day weekend through October, stay for the bat flight program to watch the incredible sight of bats leaving to hunt, but please leave your camera and electronics behind for the safety of the bats.
10. Big Bend National Park
Following the border and the Rio Grande, the sprawling Big Bend National Park is home to scenic drives and hikes, fossils, water rafting, and dark skies for stargazing. Out of the way of big cities, stay at the park lodge or campgrounds or at one of the hotels or campgrounds in neighboring towns.
Several places to stay include quirky accommodations such as retro RVs, teepees, luxury cottages, or even a bubble house! Don’t expect to stay connected to your phone; you’re out of service range in this area. This is the place for connecting with nature.
Photos courtesy author Meredith Flory.
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