Las Cruces Hike Offers Beauty And A Waterfall

Here in the Borderland, beauty is everywhere. Waterfalls though, are not quite as plentiful. This awesome hike, just outside Las Cruces, has one though and that's not all ...

The Soledad Canyon Loop Trail is a fairly easy, "moderate" trail that runs a little over 3 miles. It's part of the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area, about 10 miles east of Las Cruces at 13300 Soledad Canyon Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011.

Getting started is pretty easy; just park, head for the trailhead start hiking. About a quarter of a mile in, you'll come to a fork in the trail. Bear right and start watching for the cool stuff.

Sites Along The Soledad Canyon Loop Trail

In addition to all kinds of vegetation and wildlife ... there are rattlesnakes so, keep your eyes open ... there are some manmade things along the way to the waterfall. Including some ruins.

This crumbling foundation is all that remains of a small homestead, likely built in the early 1900s. Though it’s long been abandoned, the ruins still hint at a time when settlers carved out lives in this remote corner of the desert. - dailywise.com

How Far To The Soledad Canyon Waterfall?

Once you get to the ruins, you're almost to the waterfall. (The trail is only about 3 miles so, technically, you're always "almost" there.) Depending on recent rains, the flow of the waterfall and size of the pond it falls into can vary.

Soledad Canton Trail Hours

The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is open daily from 8am - 5pm. You can learn more, and check for park updates, via this website. You can also call 575-525-4300.

Safe Hiking Tips

There aren't really any facilities at Soledad Canyon so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks and dress accordingly. Always let someone know where you're going too as well as when you're going and when you expect to be back.

10 Important Hiking Safety Tips

Before you head off on your hike, let's go over a few tips to help keep you safe. It's best to be overprepared than underprepared, especially when it comes to your safety.

Gallery Credit: Cort Freeman

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