10 Practically Secret National Parks You’ll Want to Visit This Spring

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks is one of the newest national monuments, established in May of 2014 by presidential proclamation. This monument lies in southeastern New Mexico and is made up of the Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks, Potrillo Mountains, and Doña Ana Mountains. Home to several rare species of plants and animals, ancient Native American petroglyphs, and lava flows, these desert mountains look like nowhere else on Earth. There are excellent opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and nature photography in the 496,330 acre monument, as well as overnight camping. The Aguirre Spring Campground is the only developed campground in the monument, with first-come-first-serve family campsites available for $7 per night. You can also go primitive camping anywhere in the monument for free. Either way, bring plenty of water and sunscreen (there’s very little shade out in the Chihuahuan Desert!), and know your fitness level before attempting any long or strenuous hikes. (Find out unusual facts about every one of the 50 states.)