Is springtime full of sleet, snow or other unseemly weather in your area?  Then pack your bags and/or trailer for southern New Mexico, because as I just discovered, late March and early April can be a very nice time in the "land of enchantment". 

You might encounter a passing thunderstorm or two, but most of the time you can expect sunshine, light wind and daytime temperatures in the high 50s and 60s.  Note that this strictly applies to the southern areas of the state, south of Albuquerque.  Visiting the northern areas and higher elevations of the state at this time, you are likely to encounter cold temperatures, snow and wind.  So for the best weather, stay south and down out of the higher mountains.

Following are a few areas and attractions that should not be missed during a trip through southern New Mexico.

White Sands National Monument

Just west of Alamogordo on Route 70, you will come across a sea of bleach-white sand dunes.  And since 1933, those gypsum dunes have been set aside as White Sands National Monument.  The park is open all day, but the best time to enter the dunes drive and hike the 4.5 mile dunes loop is in the late afternoon.  You will be treated to deep blue skies and a stunning 360 degree view of the dunes.  Stick around for sunset, as the white sand will look its best in the final rays of the day.

There is no overnight camping in White Sands National Monument.  However, there are a few RV parks around Alamogordo.  The nearest state campground is a twenty minute drive to the other side of the city in Oliver Lee State Park.  Oliver Lee offers standard amenities for trailers, and there is a nice hike in nearby Dog Canyon.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

I could have easily spent two whole days exploring the corridors and chambers of Carlsbad Caverns.  But for most people, a day should be sufficient.  There are two official entrances to the caverns.  For self guided tours of the main cave areas, you can enter via the elevator or hike down through the original, natural entrance.  Bring a light jacket, as the temperature in the caverns hovers around a chilly 55 degrees. 

The last time I visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park, we stayed in the nearby town of Carlsbad.  If you are in a trailer, there is no camping within the park.  But you can find RV parks in Whites City and Carlsbad.  During March and April, there should be plenty of open motel rooms and camping areas, but if you are visiting in the summer, making reservations is a good idea.

Organ Mountains

A range of jagged and craggy mountains in south-central New Mexico, the Organ Mountains are situated just east of Las Cruces and north of El Paso.  During a journey through southern New Mexico you are bound to see these mountains, and they are certainly worth a stop.

Pulling in to the Aguirre Springs Campground on Route 70, between White Sands and Las Cruces, is one way to see the mountains.  For serious hikers, the Bureau of Land Management maintains two trails up into the mountains - the Baylor Pass Trail and the Pine Tree Trail.

Elephant Butte State Park / Caballo Lake State Park

For lovers of fishing and water sports, consider making a stop at either Elephant Butte State Park or Caballo Lake State Park.  Their associated campgrounds are also great for just pulling up the trailer and relaxing for a couple days.  Both parks are easily accessed from Interstate 25 near Truth or Consequences.  There are several nature trails around the parks, but as the area is high desert you will mainly see cactus and yucca.

And a short jaunt on Interstate 10 into southeastern Arizona will bring you to...

Chiricahua National Monument

Granted, Chiricahua National Monument is not in New Mexico.  But if you are in southern New Mexico, you might as well take a short ride into south-eastern Arizona for this off-the-beaten-track wonder.  Heading west on Interstate 10, drive into the town of Wilcox and take Route 186 south to the monument.  Or if you are feeling adventurous, check your maps for the town of Bowie and Apache Pass Road.  The road over Apache Pass is dirt but seemed well-maintained when we passed that way.  Taking this shortcut will give you scenic views of the Dos Cabezas Mountains and surrounding Cochise County.

When you get to Chiricahua National Monument, be prepared for a treat.  An unearthly landscape of rock spires, hoodoos and balanced rocks awaits.  There is a campground (accepts trailers up to 26ft and RVs up to 29ft) right in the heart of the monument and 17 miles of hiking trails to explore.  Massai Point and Massai Nature Trail are the main viewing areas for the monument, but you can also hike down among the many rock formations.  The three-mile loop around the Echo Park area is a must.  Head down Echo Canyon Trail and return via Hailstone Trail for the best route.  You can also hike to Big Balanced Rock and the Heart of the Rocks from Massai Point.  Start this hike in the afternoon and you can stop at Inspiration Point at sunset.  The valley of spires lit by the setting sun can make for a spectacular vista.