10 Easy Road Trips From Chaparral, New Mexico: Fun Day Trips Outside Doña Ana County
Living in or near
Chaparral, New Mexico and wondering what else is out there without driving all day? You’re in a great spot. Chaparral sits near the edges of several counties and even the Texas state line, which makes it perfect for short
out-of-county road trips.
In this guide, we’ll look at 10 simple day trips from Chaparral into:
- Luna County, NM
- Otero County, NM
- Sierra County, NM
- El Paso County, TX
Each idea is easy to reach in a few hours or less, and all of them give you something different to explore: mountains, desert, lakes, small towns, and a major border city.
1. White Sands National Park (Otero County, NM)
If you only do one road trip from Chaparral, make it
White Sands National Park in Otero County. It’s about a 1.5–2 hour drive, depending on your route, and it feels like you’ve landed on another planet.
Picture miles and miles of bright white sand dunes, made of soft gypsum that feels almost cool under your feet even on a hot day.
What you can do:
- Sled the dunes – Bring a plastic sled or buy one at the visitor center. Sliding down the hills is fun for kids and adults.
- Walk a short trail – Try the Interdune Boardwalk for an easy, flat walk with views.
- Catch sunset – The light on the white sand at sunset is unreal. Bring a camera, or just soak it in.
Tip: The sun can be intense. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There’s almost no shade out on the dunes.
2. Cloudcroft & the Sacramento Mountains (Otero County, NM)
Need a break from the desert heat around Chaparral? Head up into the
Sacramento Mountains and the cute village of
Cloudcroft in Otero County. It’s usually about 20–30 degrees cooler than the lowlands.
Cloudcroft is a small mountain town surrounded by pine trees. The drive itself is part of the fun, with winding roads and big views.
Things to do:
- Hike short forest trails – There are easy walks right outside town, great for families.
- Browse local shops – Stop into small stores for coffee, crafts, and mountain gifts.
- Picnic with a view – Many pullouts and picnic areas along the highway give you sweeping scenery.
If you grew up in the desert, that first smell of pine trees up here is going to stick with you. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to each summer.
3. Alamogordo: Small City, Big Desert Views (Otero County, NM)
On the way to White Sands, you’ll drive by
Alamogordo in Otero County. It makes a great stand-alone day trip from Chaparral if you don’t want to go all the way into the dunes.
Why stop in Alamogordo?
- New Mexico Museum of Space History – Learn how New Mexico played a role in early space exploration.
- Relax in local parks – A good place to stretch your legs and let kids burn off energy.
- Grab a bite – You’ll find plenty of casual spots for burgers, Mexican food, or coffee.
If you’re planning a weekend getaway, you can combine
Alamogordo and
White Sands into one easy overnight trip.
4. Truth or Consequences Hot Springs (Sierra County, NM)
Yes, there really is a town called
Truth or Consequences—locals just say “T or C.” It’s in Sierra County, and it’s known for its natural
hot springs along the Rio Grande.
Driving up from Chaparral, you’ll go through open desert and see those long, wide New Mexico skies. When you reach T or C, things slow down. It’s a laid-back place with vintage neon signs, small motels, and a funky artsy vibe.
What to do in T or C:
- Soak in hot springs – Many bathhouses and hotels offer hour-long private tubs overlooking the river.
- Stroll downtown – Check out small galleries and local shops.
- Enjoy a relaxed meal – There are cozy cafes and diners where people still actually talk to each other.
If you’ve been feeling stressed, a quiet soak with mountain views might be exactly what you need.
5. Elephant Butte Lake State Park (Sierra County, NM)
Just north of T or C, still in Sierra County, you’ll find
Elephant Butte Lake State Park, home to New Mexico’s largest lake. It’s a favorite summer getaway for folks from all over the state.
What you can do at the lake:
- Swim or wade – Cool off along the shoreline.
- Boating & jet skiing – Rent a boat or bring your own if you have one.
- Fishing – Try your luck catching bass or catfish.
- Picnic on the beach – Pack a cooler, some folding chairs, and you’re set.
On a busy summer weekend, the lake feels like an inland beach town. If you love being near the water, this is an easy road trip destination from Chaparral.
6. Deming: Desert Town With Quirky Stops (Luna County, NM)
Head west from Chaparral into
Luna County, and you’ll end up in
Deming, a friendly desert community with a few surprising attractions.
Why visit Deming?
- Local museums – Learn about the area’s railroad and frontier history.
- Wine tasting nearby – Southern New Mexico has a long wine-making tradition, and Deming is part of that story.
- Classic small-town feel – It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, grab lunch, and walk around without rushing.
If you like exploring small towns that most tourists drive right past, Deming is worth a look. It’s not flashy, but that’s part of the charm.
7. Rockhound State Park & Florida Mountains (Luna County, NM)
Just southeast of Deming, still in Luna County, you’ll find
Rockhound State Park at the base of the
Florida Mountains. The name tells you a lot—people come here to hunt for rocks and minerals.
What you can do:
- Easy hikes – Trails climb the lower slopes of the mountains and give you big views of the valley below.
- Look for rocks – You’re actually allowed to collect some small rocks and minerals, which kids love.
- Enjoy the desert scenery – Wildflowers pop up in spring, and the sunsets can be amazing.
If you grew up liking rocks, fossils, or just wandering outside, this is a simple, cheap, and fun day trip from Chaparral.
8. Downtown El Paso, Texas (El Paso County, TX)
From Chaparral, it’s a quick hop into
El Paso County, Texas. Downtown El Paso mixes history, culture, and food in one compact area that’s easy to explore in a day.
Highlights of downtown:
- Historic buildings – You’ll see old theaters, hotels, and brick storefronts that tell the story of this border city.
- Borderland culture – You feel both Texas and Mexico in the food, music, and everyday life here.
- Local restaurants – Grab tacos, enchiladas, or a big plate of carne asada at a neighborhood spot.
You can park once, then walk much of downtown on foot. It’s a nice change of scene if you’re used to smaller New Mexico towns.
9. Scenic Drives & Sunsets Over El Paso (El Paso County, TX)
Sometimes the best road trip activity is the drive itself. Around El Paso, there are routes that give you sweeping views over the city and the desert.
Ideas around El Paso County:
- Scenic overlooks – Drive up into the hills above the city for sunset. Watching the lights come on across El Paso and over into Mexico is pretty special.
- Borderland backroads – Explore lesser-traveled roads on the edges of town for a different view of the landscape.
- Photo stops – If you like taking pictures, the combination of desert, mountains, and city lights gives you a lot to work with.
If you’ve had a long week, an evening drive with some music on, windows cracked open, and desert air rolling in can be exactly what the doctor ordered.
10. Food & Shopping Adventures in El Paso (El Paso County, TX)
Finally, not every road trip has to be about hiking or museums. Sometimes you just want to eat great food and do a little shopping.
From Chaparral, heading into El Paso County opens up:
- Big-box shopping – Need a Costco run or want to hit a mall? This is your spot.
- Local bakeries & taco joints – Try a new place each visit. Think fresh tortillas, sweet bread, and spicy salsa.
- Weekend “food tours” – Pick three places you’ve never tried, and make that your mini road trip plan.
You can turn a basic “errand run” into a simple day trip: grab coffee at one spot, lunch at another, and dessert somewhere new before you head back to Chaparral.
Tips for Road Trips From Chaparral
Before you head out, a few quick reminders to keep your day smooth:
- Fuel up early – Long stretches of desert can mean fewer gas stations than you expect.
- Carry extra water – Especially in summer. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the dry heat.
- Check hours – Small-town museums, shops, or hot springs may have limited hours or close on certain days.
- Watch the weather – Summer storms and winter mountain conditions can change driving plans.
Living in Chaparral means you’re within reach of dunes, lakes, mountains, a border city, and quiet hot springs—all with just a few hours on the road.
Share Your Favorite Chaparral Road Trips
If you’ve taken any of these
day trips from Chaparral, what did you like best? Did you sled at White Sands, soak in T or C, or discover an amazing taco spot in El Paso?
Tell your story in the comments—your tips can help the next traveler planning a getaway.
And if you found this guide helpful, please
share it with friends and family who live near Chaparral or are planning a visit. The more we share our local road trip ideas, the easier it gets for everyone to explore this amazing corner of the Southwest.
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