Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks NM--Dripping Springs NA Fillmore Canyon

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks NM--Dripping Springs NA Fillmore Canyon

Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Official Website
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument brochure and map

Tips for Birding

eBird species-frequency bar charts for this hotspot likely include observations not just in Fillmore Canyon, but along the trail leading into the canyon. The shortest route to this trail is to take La Cueva Trail from its western trailhead. Cross the Arroyo Trail. Just a bit further, the Fillmore Canyon Trail veers off to the northwest, hooking around behind the rocky structure at the east base of which is the “hermit cave”. Immediately as you come behind the rocky prominence, you'll find oaks and brush on either side of the trail. Here there is typically an abundance of sparrows and towhees. 

The point where Fillmore Canyon Trail splits off from La Cueva Trail is well-signed. That is where you can begin your eBird list for this hotspot. It’s about a mile from this split to the rock face that after wet weather occasionally sports a waterfall, but more often offers just a wet sheen or is completely dry. It is only the very last part of this trail that is in the eponymous canyon. Most of Fillmore Canyon in fact lies northeast of the waterfall area, above the small dam built to hold water for the early 20th-century mining operation, tailings from which you pass on the trail. Climbers scaling the Organ Needles will make the steep scramble to the left of the falls, whereas those scaling Organ Peak leave the Fillmore Trail on the right prior to crossing the arroyo that comes down from the falls. These trails into the Organs, which follow for a way the ridges on either side of Fillmore Canyon above the falls, have no signage. 

Within the Canyon, at the base of the falls, you are unlikely to have cell service; expect that an attempt to submit your list at this point via the eBird mobile app will return an error message. At the mill tailings, you should have service. eBird recommends that for out-and-back trails you make two lists, one for out and one for back, so mobile users may need to remember a few birds on the way back until cell service allows submission and a new list.

Vault toilets are located at La Cueva Picnic Area. Wheelchair-accessible parking is available at the picnic area but Fillmore Canyon Trail is not wheelchair accessible.

About Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

See all hotspots at Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument was established to protect significant prehistoric, historic, geologic, and biologic resources of scientific interest, and includes four areas: the Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks, Potrillo Mountains, and Doña Ana Mountains.

The Organ Mountains are a steep, angular mountain range with rocky spires that jut majestically above the Chihuahuan Desert floor to an elevation of 9,000 feet. This picturesque area of rocky peaks, narrow canyons, and open woodlands ranges from Chihuahuan Desert habitat to ponderosa pine in the highest elevations. Located adjacent to and on the east side of Las Cruces, this area provides opportunities for photography, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

The Desert Peaks include the Robledo Mountains, Sierra de las Uvas, and Doña Ana Mountains, characterized by desert mountains rising steeply from flat plains.

The Potrillo Mountains are the most remote section of the Monument located a distance to the southwest from Las Cruces and are comprised of a volcanic landscape of cinder cones, lava flows, and craters.

The Doña Ana Mountains have extensive pedestrian trails, equestrian trails, mountain bike trails, rock climbing routes, and some limited routes available for motorized use.

Notable Trails

The Hiking Project website and the AllTrails website have descriptions and maps of hikes at Fillmore Canyon.

Features

  • Entrance fee

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Official Website and John Montgomery

Last updated March 11, 2023