As a person who loves her hometown but also loves autumnal weather, I am struggling right now. El Paso is trying to be fall right now. The mornings are kind of crisp, my favorite local coffee shops are all about the pumpkin spice, and some of us have even busted out our flannels (even though it’s still 95° by lunchtime). We can light all the cinnamon candles we want, but it’s not working!
Despite the fact that I know that I can’t get that full autumnal experience here in El Paso, I know that we are lucky enough to be close to places where we can get the full fall experience. And, yeah, we all know it’s the usual places: Ruidoso, Cloudcroft, and Las Cruces. But consider this your friendly reminder that sometimes the most obvious choices are obvious for a reason: they’re perfect when you want that little escape, or even just that fall Instagram photo!
Ruidoso is the Fall fantasy we all deserve
Ruidoso is basically what El Pasoans dream about every time we see a single crunchy leaf on Mesa Street. The pine trees, the mountain air, the smell of campfires, this is where fall lives rent-free.
READ MORE: 10 Perfect Hiking Spots in New Mexico in the Fall
While the recent wildfires in Ruidoso were devastating, the village is still thriving, and Fall is one of my favorite times of year to visit.
I feel like Ruidoso is a Hallmark movie come to life.
El Pasoans Know Cloudcroft Is Where Fall Actually Exists
Cloudcroft is the go-to if you want those fall vibes without a full road-trip commitment. It’s close enough for a spontaneous Saturday escape, and cool enough to finally justify that cute sweater you’ve been waiting to wear since August.
Grab a cider, or some famous Mad Jack’s BBQ, hit the trails, and enjoy the mountain breeze while everyone back home is still debating whether it’s safe to turn off the swamp cooler.
READ MORE: This Quaint Village in New Mexico is Considered a Hidden Gem
Why Las Cruces Deserves More Fall Love from El Pasoans
Las Cruces doesn’t always get the same fall hype as Ruidoso or Cloudcroft, but maybe that’s what makes it great!
You’ve got the Organ Mountains glowing at sunset, chile roasting in the air, and farmers markets that feel straight out of a cozy-core Pinterest board. It’s warm enough that you won’t freeze in your flannel, but cool enough to pretend you just stepped into fall. For El Pasoans, it’s the easiest day trip that still feels like a getaway; no snow chains, no long drives, just pure autumn energy an hour away.
Sure, El Paso might not have the crunchy leaves or sweater weather (yet), but we make up for it with road trips, hot cocoa, and pure determination to feel those fall vibes. You’re just a short drive away from autumn magic, I can almost smell that Hatch chile roasting!
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