Our Summer 2025 road trip is off to a “rocky” start, but in a good way! Our first two stops were at a rock-filled New Mexico state park, and a Texas sand dune.
Deming, NM – Rockhound State Park
The campground is set at the base of the “Little Florida Mountains,” which why they are not instead called the “Little New Mexico Mountains,” I could not say.
The hiking trails leading out of the campground reveal that the greenery we erroneously assumed to be trees, are instead forests of prickly pear cactus!
If you have rocks for brains, this just might be your place, because it is full of rocks you can collect and keep for your very own, including this Pink Jasper, which we only possess because the previous campers left it behind on our picnic table, and we only correctly identified because of a handy-dandy chart in the campground.
Despite the barren rockiness, the spring desert is abloom, and New Mexico sunsets never disappoint!
Deming is a small and uninspiring desert town, with one notable exception: The Adobe Deli, which we visited in 2018, and which, inexplicably, isn’t a deli at all.
Google Maps summarizes Adobe Deli: “Casual, historic steakhouse known for its hearty portions, unusual atmosphere, and live music,” and I couldn’t say it better myself! Stop here even if you’re just passing through.
Monahans, TX – Monahans Sandhills
Maybe rocks aren’t your style … maybe you like rocks which have been ground into tiny, microscopic sand particles. Bingo!! We’ve got a Texas-sized sandbox with your name on it!
Here, the ever-present wind sculpts the hills into peaks and valleys, giving even the most intrepid hiker’s calves a run for their money. Oh, the pain!!!
The RV Campground (with water and 30 amp electric) is set right in the dunes. This is a virtual guarantee that you will be sweeping sand out of your rig for days or weeks to come.
You can stumble out your door and into your own personal playground, or just while away the day watching others (mostly children) sliding down the dunes on their rented sand discs.
The size of the dunes is deceptive in these photos. Look to the far right and you’ll see teeny tiny little picnic table ramadas. By comparison, the dunes are huge!
The patterns in the sand are ever-changing, carved by wind or slides or rain or critters.
Despite the barrenness, a variety of critters call this habitat home. You can tell by their sand prints!
Best of all, Monahans Sandhills is Fido-friendly! That’s right, you can bring your furry friend with you into the dunes.
If you like playing in the sand as much as any other, you’ll want to check out these other great sandboxes for kids of all ages! Click for more pictures from our visits there.
White Sands National Park (New Mexico)
Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (Utah)
Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)
We’re calling this the “Friends and Family Tour 2025” because we’ll be visiting many of our favorite people as we travel 117 fun-filled days through the South and Minnesota. And of course, along the way, finding a bunch of hidden gems and charming destinations!
The Millers are on the road again! Yay!!! Love the pics of the sand dunes – nature’s patterns in the sand have always fascinated me. Did Philip polish off that entire steak?! Never mind. Of course he did. And I’m sure he enjoyed every single bite!