Hidalgo County hosts the southernmost trailhead for the National Historic Trail, 82 of the most rustic miles of the journey, and a town nearly every thru-hiker visits twice: Lordsburg. Located on the ancestral lands of the Chiricahua Apache, Janos, and Ópata (Tegüima-Eudebe-Hoba) people in New Mexico’s beautiful bootheel region, travelers through Hidalgo County can experience the Chihuahuan Desert and the Big Hatchet Mountains. The mountains that rise out of the dry desert of the bootheel are known as “sky islands,” because their cooler, high altitude landscape creates ecological islands that are home to an array of plants and animals very different from those in the surrounding desert. The terrain is home to an array of animals, including mountain lions, javelina, and bobcats.
With a history of farming, ranching, and mining, the county maintains a Southwestern feel today. With five main towns – Animas, Cotton City, Lordsburg, Rodeo, and Virden – the county has a population of under 5,000 people, less than two people per square mile. Today, visitors to the region can enjoy bird watching, hiking, and visits to two ghost towns.
The closest international airport to Hidalgo County is El Paso (ELP), which is about 2.5 hours away via I-10. Albuquerque (ABQ) is approximately 4.5 hours north via I-25. The nearest regional airport, the Grant County Airport (SVC), is located approximately 1 hour away via Highway 90, and has flights to Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The town of Lordsburg can also be accessed via Greyhound Bus.
An Amtrak station located in Lordsburg makes for easy access to the surrounding region. Visitors who fly into El Paso can take the train directly to Lordsburg. The town’s Greyhound Bus stop also gives visitors a direct route to and from Tuscon.
Ten Things to do in Hidalgo County
Take a step back in time at Shakespeare Ghost Town.
Learn about your surroundings at the Chiricahua Desert Museum.
Understand the history of Lordsburg at the Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum.
View a designated historic building at the Lordsburg Hidalgo Library.
Find locally made artisan crafts at the Goldhill Outpost.
Fill up with delicious Mexican homestyle food at Ramona’s Cafe.
Take a moment to reflect at Lordsburg Memorial Park.
Enjoy a hand-tossed pizza at Mama Rosa’s Pizza.
View geological wonders or find some new western wear at Verla’s Western Wear and Border Rock Shop.
Try your hand at disc golf at Short Park.
Southern Terminus of Continental Divide Trail and the Big Hatchet Mountains
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 40+ miles, one-way.
Directions: To access the CDT’s southern terminus remote location take Interstate 10 east from Lordsburg, NM to Exit 49. Take NM 146 South to Hachita. In Hatchita, go east on NM 9 and then south on NM 81. Continue south for approximately 11 miles and just before the curve in the highway, turn left onto the graded dirt road (all roads beyond this point are dirt). Set your odometer, travel approximately 3 miles, and turn right. Go another 3 miles and turn left. Follow this road around the base of the Big Hatchet Mountains for about 20 miles to a windmill and go east for 2 miles. Within 100 yards, you will be at the international boundary barbed wire fence. At the cattle guard, there is a concrete monument commemorating the Crazy cook who murdered someone at this site. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is 200 yards north along the border fence from this monument.
Maps:
USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Campbell Well, Cabin Wells, Sheridan Canyon, U Bar Ridge, Big Hatchet Peak, Hatchet Ranch, Hatchita Peak, Playas Peak, BLM:1:100K .
For More Information:
Please use the information provided on the new BLM website to avoid trespassing on private property and border protocol for parking.
Bureau of Land Management’s Las Cruces Field Office: 575-525-4300.
- wifi
- camping/ lodging
- showers
- food
- laundry
- camp supplies
- Lordsburg Post Office
- 401 Shakespeare St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
- 575-542-9601
- Saucedo's SuperMarket
- 810 Main St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
- 575-542-3472
- Dollar General
- 313 S, 313 Main St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
- 575-323-0190
- Lordsburg Hidalgo Public Library
- 208 E 3rd St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
- 575-542-9646
- Lordsburg KOA Journey
- 1501 Lead St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
- 575-542-8003
- Animas Post Office
- 2415 NM-338
- Animas, NM 88020
- 800-275-8777
- Ramona's Cafe
- 1405 Main St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
- 575-542-3030
- Dimension Coffee Shop
- 213 W Wabash St
- Lordsburg, NM 88045
Submit a place
Is the thru-hiker section above missing a business or an amenity? If so, please let us know below!
The CDT passes directly through Lordsburg! Leave town heading North on Highway 70, then get on Highway 90 S. The trail will diverge from the highway just north of the Hwy 70/Hwy 90 junction. Heading south from town on Main St, the CDT diverges from the road across from Ghost Town Road.
CDT Southern Terminus Shuttle: Located in a remote desert area on the border of Mexico and New Mexico, about 30 miles south of the town of Hachita, the southern terminus of the CDT (the “Crazy Cook” monument) is difficult to access. CDTC offers a shuttle service to assist hikers and horseback riders interested in traveling along the southernmost sections of the CDT. If you are hiking South from Lordsburg and want to catch a ride from the Crazy Cook monument back to Lordsburg on any of the dates above please visit the link here to arrange your booking!
Shakespeare Trailhead: Located at the southern end of the center of Lordsburg. This Trailhead is 2 miles south of the Interstate. Parking is available at the Cemetery, which is across and not far down the road, or at Veterans Park, which is about 1/2 mile towards town.