The Best Weekend Getaway in New Mexico- Hidden Gems in the Southwest
When most people think of planning a getaway in New Mexico, a few things may come to mind. A trip to Santa Fe, exploring one of the country’s oldest cities. Heading out to Albuquerque to be mesmerized by the world-famous hot air balloon festival! Or spending a few days in Roswell, soaking in every drop of UFO lore.
Although these are all iconic destinations, heading further southwest will lead you to an area just packed with hidden gems. This portion of the state is likely not on your radar, but it should be. A weekend filled with relaxing hot springs, artisanal shops, and unique landscapes awaits you, and this trip will leave you dreaming about the desert.
Relax and Recharge – Faywood Hot Springs
Located halfway between Silver City and Deming, you’ll find the small town of Faywood. This area has been drawing visitors since the 1800s, and not just because of the fresh open air and beautiful mountain view. Faywood is home to natural geothermal hot springs and has now become a beautiful desert oasis for those seeking a chance to rejuvenate in a mineral water bath.
Your trip begins by booking accommodations at the Faywood Hot Springs. For an overnight stay, you can book a campsite suitable for tents, campers, or RVs with hookups available. Or you can opt to stay in one of their rustic cabins. We stayed in the adobe cabin for this trip. Booking accommodations grants you access to the geothermal pools, along with a clean public restroom and separate mineral showers.
Faywood offers multiple pools, varying in size, temperature, and access. All pools are filled with fresh mineral water. If you’re curious, you can learn more about this process and how the temperatures are regulated here.
Keep in mind that half the resort requires clothing, while the other half is clothing optional. Be sure to read all of the signs posted so you don’t unintentionally end up in the wrong pool…
They also have private pools for an additional fee. If you book a cabin, a one-hour soak in one of the private pools is included. We took full advantage of this perk!
Besides hot springs, Faywood also offers a community clubhouse which includes shared kitchen items, couches for lounging, and games. You can explore the area by biking or hiking one of the nearby trails. And once the sun goes down, don’t miss out on the unbelievable stargazing. We were able to catch a falling star during our stay!
Although my husband could have spent the whole weekend in Faywood, you know me, I have a threshold for relaxation, and we had to get some adventuring in before the weekend was up!
From Desert to Forest- Gila National Forest
Surrounding the Gila River is 2,710,659 sq ft of wilderness known as Gila National Forest. It would obviously take more than a weekend to experience all that this protected land has to offer, but during this weekend getaway, we did enjoy one of its more popular yet still unique features.
Just shy of a 2-hour drive from Faywood, you’ll find the Catwalk Recreation Area– it is absolutely worth the trip. There’s a very spacious parking lot right at the trailhead, and tons of picnic benches by the river to enjoy lunch before or after your hike.
It’s $5 per vehicle, or you can display “The New Mexico Enchantment Pass” or “America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Pass” in your car window.
This scenic route is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trek that usually takes about 1-1.5 hours to complete. After crossing a couple of bridges, you’ll follow a catwalk suspended over the Gila River. The catwalk weaves through Whitewater Canyon, which used to be the work site for a mining company in the late 1800s. You can still see the brace holes that were drilled into the rock walls.
Some portions will take you through a dirt path, under rock arches, and across the river without the assistance of the catwalk. There were plenty of rocks and logs to help us, but you can just cross at the shallow part if you don’t mind getting your shoes wet.
After the catwalk ends, it’s easy to find plenty of peaceful spots to pull off and enjoy the view along the trail.
We never found any real indicators as to where a good turnaround point would be, so my husband and I decided that once the trail had gotten a bit more technical, and we hadn’t seen anyone else in about fifteen minutes, we were ready to call it. While I was looking up additional information for this article, I found this on the USDA Forest Service Website:
“Beyond the bridge system, the Whitewater Trail #207 has been cleared for approximately 5 miles. The trail was destroyed during the 2013 flood, resulting in numerous washouts and missing sections of trail. The forest is working to restore access to many of the western Gila Wilderness trails following damage by the Whitewater Baldy fire and post-fire flood.”
But fortunately by this point, we were ready for a well earned meal and some beers.
Home of History and Culture- Silver City
The drive back to Faywood will give you the perfect excuse to stop in Silver City. A charming historic town with plenty of local shops and restaurants. Whether you’re craving mouth-watering ethnic food or cozy comforts, Silver City has you covered. Also, be warned, you will be tempted by ice cream and other sweet treats multiple times as you explore downtown. It’s just easier to give in.
Silver City is also home to a respected Arts and Culture District. Take advantage of the art galleries and exhibits filled with one-of-a-kind creations. If music is more your thing, local artists perform year-round at coffee shops, bars, and outdoor venues. It won’t be hard to find a memorable way to close out your day full of exploring.
Don’t stay out too late though. We still have one more day of adventuring ahead.
A park created by a Volcano- City of Rocks State Park
If feeling like a child again as you run around, climbing rocks of varying shapes and sizes, sounds like something you’d enjoy, take the six minutes up the road to City of Rocks State Park.
This historical site, that was formed around 34.9 million years ago, displaying a panoramic view of the Chihuahua Desert. A volcanic eruption left behind a city-like maze of rock columns, some reaching as high as 40ft. If you’re willing and brave enough to safely climb one of the rock structures, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning sight.
If you don’t want to spend your whole visit playing on rocks like we did, this state park also offers bird watching, hiking, and biking trails, along with interpretive loops. If you’re lucky, you may spot some wildlife or even arrowheads or pottery shards left by the ancient Mimbres Indians. (Always remember to practice Leave No Trace– so look but don’t touch)
Fellow nerds like me will enjoy taking some extra time to wander the visitor center (which is, surprise, also made from rock). The display cases and informative signs give a brief geology lesson and share the history of the volcanic eruption that created the park.
A day pass for the park is $5 per vehicle. But, you also have the option to camp overnight, with fees ranging from $10-$25. This is an experience we fully intend to return for. I can only imagine what a sunset followed by stargazing would look like from a tent nestled between the rocks.
A Weekend Filled with Unforgettable Memories
I’m confident that you’ll fall in love with this corner of New Mexico just as much as I did. These locations are an eye-opener to how truly wondrous this state is. In just three days, you can experience a unique getaway filled with natural beauty, culture, and outdoor adventure that will solidify why it’s called the land of enchantment.
All photos belong to author unless different source is credited below image.
Looking for more ways to explore New Mexico? Check out the articles below!
