ORGAN MOUNTAIN DESERT PEAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT | Boyd Sanatorium & Van Patten Camp | New Mexico

Located just outside Las Cruces, New Mexico is Dripping Springs Natural Area in the Organ Mountains. Trails lead to the base of the towering cliffs where tucked away are amazingly preserved wood & rock buildings from the late 1800s & early 1900s.
Within Desert Peaks National Monument is a 3-mile (4.8 km) out and back trail that sits below the Organ Mountains. Stunning views are everywhere one turns, but it is the preserved buildings one passes that really bring the history of this area into focus.
The trail itself has slight gain but otherwise is a relatively easy rock and gravel trail.
On the trail, hikers will encounter the springs which give the area, and the trail, its name. Water flow will vary depending on the time of year.
The first of the remaining buildings is an old stagecoach stop and livery that served the nearby Van Patten's Mountain Camp. Here an old chicken coop stands which would have provided eggs to guests from the chickens raised inside. Milk, beef, and varying fruits and vegetables would also be available to guests.
Hiking further along, the stone walls of Van Patten's Mountain Camp reveal themselves. Named after Eugene Van Patten, the resort was quite the sight in its day. Van Patten, a former Civil War soldier, opened the resort with his wife in 1897. His wife, being of half-Spanish and half-Piro Indian ancestry, employed native Indians to assist in the running of the luxurious resort, caring for the livery and bringing in water from the springs. The resort included a dining hall, a gazebo where bands would play, over a dozen rooms, and stood two stories tall.
The resort closed in 1915 when Van Patten ran into financial difficulties. He then sold the property to a doctor, Dr. Nathan Boyd, who had other plans for the buildings - a tuberculosis sanatorium.
One of the remaining buildings, a kitchen and dining hall, is from Dr. Boyd's sanatorium. Nearby is Dr. Boyd's house. While hikers cannot enter these buildings, one can carefully peek inside and imagine the scenes of the past. The sanatorium did not last long, however, as Dr. Boyd suffered financial difficulties - he sold the property several years later and the sanatorium closed permanently several years after that.
VIDEO FILMED: 05/18/2022
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ Bodie State Historic Park | First Visit to This AMAZING Ghost Town | Bridgeport, California - • Bodie State Historic P...
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Dripping Springs Natural Area - www.blm.gov/visit/dripping-sp...
⚪ Directions to Dripping Springs Natural Area - goo.gl/maps/Ffi6dzqY1WhrnFXQ9
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Dripping Springs Natural Area
03:33 The Livery
06:08 Boyd's Sanatorium & Dr. Boyd's House
12:51 Dripping Springs
14:23 Van Patten Mountain Camp
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[@pennysaufley8974]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[@CactusAtlas]

It really is! Thank you!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, those buildings are really well preserved. The scenery in that area looks great. I'd love o go to New Mexico and just spend weeks exploring it. I never think it gets the credit it deserves for its beauty.

[@CactusAtlas]

Same. Same. Same. Seems we never schedule enough time in New Mexico. A good week would be fantastic to spend there.

[@ricardoaguirre6126]

My cousin had her wedding near there and i just now learned about the sanatorium. Will definitely revisit someday.

[@CactusAtlas]

Very cool! It's an interesting and beautiful place. 👍

[@ResurrectingLeviathan]

You should interview his great great granddaughter, Krystal Boyd

[@VisitLasCruces]

Thank you for visiting our beautiful city and mountains. Wonderful video! We promise it's not always smokey. We occasionally get smoke that blows into town from fires throughout the state and surrounding counties during fire season.

[@CactusAtlas]

We're very familiar with the fires and some here in Arizona as well. Not a fun time, but it can't really be helped. 😊

[@granthryze2694]

Thanks for sharing! Awesome place

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you too! 😊

[@adrian42727]

I go to Aguirre Springs. Now that I saw your video I will check out Dripping Springs. It is obviously beautiful and interesting. Thank you for sharing your video.

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! Thanks for watching and hope you have some amazing adventures in the future visiting Dripping Springs! 😄👍

[@P.T.A.655]

Beautiful

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

Thanks for taking us along,

[@CactusAtlas]

Our pleasure! 😊

[@DanielleBallou]

That was incredible!! I will definitely have to make the trip! Thank you for the tour!

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! Thank you as well! 😊

[@iriswestdyk684]

Such a Great Video… See you Soon !

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks!

[@iriswestdyk684]

One of the greatest modern Explorers of our Time… check out his other videos! ❤️

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you for watching! Appreciated! 😄

[@stanleymcpheeters9948]

Good job... thanks...

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you too! 😄

[@randyburlingame1611]

Great video ! I was there in the 80s and the ruins were in bad shape. Those folks did a great job with the restoration of dripping springs . Thank You!

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, that's so good to hear that things improved! So very glad! Thanks for watching! 😄

[@nmraidernation.6092]

I live in NM and have never heard of this place, looks very beautiful, looks like I may have to take a road trip......

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh it's a beautiful area! Don't think you would regret a trip there. 😄

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

One of your best videos! Relocating to the Southwest to cure tuberculosis was definitely a sound medical practice. My grandfather moved from Kentucky to Silver City, NM in the 1940s. He not only got well but became a successful businessman and the mayor for 2 terms.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! Definitely something to the TB patients moving out here as there are plenty of tales such as that of your grandfather. It's amusing to me somewhat now because it's summer and when the winds kick up it is nothing but dirt and particles flying through the air. We went outside last week when a storm was blowing through nearby and I could feel it all hitting against my face. 😂

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

@@CactusAtlas It was the dry quality of the air that was healing. And in my grandfather's case, no Kentucky coal dust.

[@Wargasm54]

That was Datura. We went out there in my youth on the 80’s on two hits of acid. Monumental times. I remember the mountains looked liked they were spattered with pastel paints. The natural beauty (and two hits of killer acid) is unforgettable. Even 40 years later. The beauty beckons me back in my dreams.

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

Wow 🤩 the old buildings the view 👍😎

[@CactusAtlas]

The best, right? 😄

[@tpseeker3367]

What a cool place. Yeah staying there back then would be pretty cool. Only thing is we'd have to be the ones building the place to stay in first.

[@CactusAtlas]

Very very true! Bringing in the supplies and construction everything would be no small feat. 😬

[@bondpaz]

I just love the old buildings. I’m glad they are preserving it. Reminds me of the view in front of Superstition Mountain. Breathtaking!🥰❤️💜

[@CactusAtlas]

I can certainly see that comparison. A little different but still a similar sort of majestic feel to it. 👍

[@RobinT-treehugger]

Nice! What you missed though was that there is a great campground and hiking trails on the other side of the mountain. Aguirre Springs campground (we have a video of it for you to checkout)... you must come back and stay there, and hike the trails up into those mountains. It is perfect tent camping, too.

[@CactusAtlas]

I’ll be sure to check it out as I am planning some travel soon back that way. My first time was very rushed. Thank you!!

[@johntuttle4486]

That "concrete" on the outside of the building could be asbestos--beware! Thanks for this video. I've stayed twice at the BLM/Forest Service Campground, but never knew this was here.

[@SwiftyTravels]

I had no idea about all this history tucked away! Too bad you had all that smoke in the air. Thanks so much for sharing this gem! Just stunning!!!

[@CactusAtlas]

Yeah, the smoke wasn't on our side during this trip. Had to cut things short on the way back and cancel some plans as it was just affecting Glenn too much with his asthma. Always another time! 😅

[@SwiftyTravels]

@@CactusAtlas I stayed indoors during those weeks 😬😬 I’m glad you aren’t too far away!!

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

I graduated from NMSU there in Las Cruces in 1996. Been to several other attractions in the area including White Sands, Fort Sheldon, and Kilbourne Hole. My studies and limited funds did not allow me to visit all the attractions. In the foothills of Organ Mountains was a battle. The opposition (as I was told) won the battle because they strategically left alcohol to be discovered. The unlucky soldiers that found the loot enjoyed the alcohol only to suffer from dehydration and desert heat and abandoned their position. Perhaps one of your viewers with proper knowledge can share the correct information. There is lots to see in the surrounding area of Las Cruces including petroglyphs, thanks for sharing.

[@CactusAtlas]

We are hoping for more opportunities to explore that area in the future. Might have to explore some of that history you mentioned as well. Thanks for sharing! 😄👍

[@glenacebrown9995]

Thank you for posting this beautiful and interesting video - and making that 3 mile hike to do so. It was quite fascinating, and I'd never even heard of that area.

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad you enjoyed it! Really one of the highlights of this trip. 😄

[@kreggossmer2029]

😎👍

[@AKAwafan]

Hey Glenn, I just discovered your channel a few days ago or so and I absolutely love it!! I've always had a fascination for the Southwest US, especially as someone who has only ever lived in IL so far. It's just so beautiful and alien-like to me, and the history is so incredibly interesting too. Anyway, I love your vids because I feel like I can live vicariously through them and explore places I couldn't normally, so yeah thank you vm and safe travels!

[@CactusAtlas]

Welcome aboard! So happy you are enjoying our videos! We both have a fascination for the Southwest as well. Between getting out and hiking the terrain or diving into research of old towns and the people that lived in them... so much to uncover! 😄

[@AKAwafan]

@@CactusAtlas Exactly! I hope to visit AZ and the surrounding areas for the first time sometime soon, probably next spring! I can't wait :)

[@sueanna_banana]

Very interesting, thanks for posting the date you filmed this. Where can you go now that it's so blazing hot?

[@CactusAtlas]

Not a problem! We try to add the date filmed since we sometimes have to release videos a bit later. As for now...? Higher elevation seems to be about the only choice and even then, still quite warm. 😅

[@gstiles7]

Great video, those buildings are incredible! If you've seen The Road to Wellville, I'm choosing that kind of sanitarium. You need to get one of those plant id apps then you don't have to wonder 😀

[@CactusAtlas]

Hahah! I don't think you're the first one to mention a plant app. I too keep telling him to download one as well. 🤣

[@michaelamaestas4950]

Yes Datura ! Yes, poison

[@michaeltaylor4984]

Lots of old Spanish silver mines up there. Look for black pellets,, not brown rabbit/deer poop.

[@willallen7757]

Look mommy there is an aeroplane, in the sky!

[@harrymarsee1872]

How close are you to Joshua's Tree National Park? You must be a native to this area.

[@CactusAtlas]

We are from Phoenix, AZ but but been to Joshua Tree in CA as well as New Mexico a couple times.

[@orphasolis5063]

The music is to loud.

[@michaeltaylor4984]

I can remember when you could go inside the buildings. Too much looting and graffiti. All the good stuff is passed dripping springs. Too bad you missed the cistern.

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, that's a shame! It would be amazing to look in there. We'd love to go back and explore more. The air quality at that time was just a bit too much to breathe in much longer. 😓

[@orphasolis5063]

Are you a local? Watch out for rattlers and side winders, don't stick your hands in holes like you just did. That place is teeming with snakes.

[@CactusAtlas]

We're based in Phoenix, AZ. Plenty of snakes here too. 😅

[@lakefromeshippingcompany]

Thanks for this video! This place looks like the desert at its best. I'm a great believer in preserving historic sites and if that involves a bit of restoration work I don't mind at all. 🏜️

[@CactusAtlas]

We are as well. It's nice to see things aged a bit but don't want everything withering away either. 😄