Hotels in Luna: Culture, History and Nature

A stay in Luna can focus on cultural history, nature or events. If you have a specific event date in mind, check the current dates as part of your planning.

Landscape and outdoor activities

Rockhound State Park lies on the rugged slopes of the Little Florida Mountains. Its distinctive geology and wildflowers shape the character of the landscape, setting it apart from historical exhibits and event programs. Pancho Villa State Park also offers opportunities for hiking. This means your trip planning can include both nature and a specific outdoor activity.

History and museums

Pancho Villa State Park has an exhibit hall and historic buildings relating to the history of the Pancho Villa Raid and Camp Furlong. The exhibit hall presents the Punitive Expedition, led by John “Black Jack” Pershing between 1916 and 1917. A historic walking tour of Columbus explains several sites associated with the raid by Pancho Villa and his Villistas on March 9, 1916. The exhibit and tour have different focuses: the exhibit presents the expedition, while the tour explains sites connected with the raid.

The Luna County Courthouse and Park in Deming has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. The Deming Luna County Mimbres Museum has around 25,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Deming Luna Mimbres Museum houses the largest publicly displayed collection of Mimbres pottery. It includes vessels made by the Mimbres between 950 and 1200 AD. Those particularly interested in this pottery will find a clearly defined historical focus here.

Events and reasons to visit

The RockHound RoundUp takes place at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Deming. Its competitive and noncompetitive exhibits cover rock collecting, gem cutting, fossils, artifacts, jewelry making and faceting. Individual exhibits may vary.

The Great American Duck Race takes place annually in August. It includes the Tournament of Ducks Parade, the Duck Royalty Pageant and a mass hot-air balloon launch. If you are traveling specifically for the event, check the exact dates before booking. The Deming Rodeo is also one of Luna County’s major annual events. The Salsa Festival Extravaganza in Deming features salsa tastings and a salsa cooking competition.

Recreation and wider cultural context

The City of Deming’s Inflatable Water Park offers family-friendly recreation and picnic facilities. Operating details may change, so check the latest information before visiting. Trees Lake covers five acres and is stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, perch and catfish as part of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department’s stocking program. Species and stocking may change; take this into account when planning.

The Mimbres-Paquimé Route connects Deming with Puerto Palomas via historic Columbus and showcases archaeological and cultural treasures between New Mexico and Mexico. It provides a broader cultural context alongside the individual museums, historic sites and events.

Discover more destinations: Deming, Taos, Lincoln, Guadalupe County, Sierra County, Mora County, Curry, Los Alamos

Go to the broader travel overview: New Mexico.