Facility · New Mexico ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Las Cruces District Office (Bureau of Land Management NM) · Open Access
The large basalt outcropping known as Point of Rocks is among the landmarks that travelers depended on to keep their bearings as they made their way through the desert. Located along the western edge of the Perrillo Hills, the Point of Rocks ridge looks over a section of El Camino Real that runs between the escarpment and the eastern edge of the floodplain beyond. The site was a day away from the San Diego paraje (rest stop), where voyagers watered their animals and collected what they hoped would be enough to carry themselves through the dry days ahead. By the time northbound travelers reached Point of Rocks, often after traveling through the cool of night, they were ready for a good rest. The base of the ridge provided a sheltered camping spot. For southbound travelers, it offered a welcome sign that water was only 13 miles away.
To access Point of Rocks Trailhead on Sierra County Road A013 (near Truth or Consequences, NM):
From the north: Take I-25 Exit #79 (Business I-25) into Truth or Consequences. Head east on 51 (Third Street) to County Road A013 (Upham Road), then south on County Road A013 (Upham Road) for 26 miles to the parking area.
From the south: Take I-25 Exit #32 to County Road E071, which turns into County Road E072 and then turns into County Road E070. This road eventually becomes County Road A013 (Upham Road). The parking area is 10.5 miles from the I-25 exit.
32.80806, -107.02528 · 32°48'29.0"N 107°1'31.0"W
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 12.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Contact the field office for more information.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-03.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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