Organ Mountains
Published by Aaron Perez 6/25/2026 Image Credit: Visit Las Cruces The Organ Mountains rise dramatically east of Las Cruces, New Mexico, their jagged, pipe-like spires giving the range its name. Part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, these peaks offer stunning hikes, dramatic desert vistas, and a rich layer of history. But as the sun sets and shadows lengthen across the canyons, a different atmosphere takes hold—one filled with legends of restless spirits, a murdered hermit, and the echoes of suffering from a long-abandoned tuberculosis sanatorium. Dripping Springs: Resort to Ruins and Restless Souls One of the most prominent sites for paranormal lore in the Organ Mountains is Dripping Springs Natural Area , about 10 miles east of Las Cruces. The area features the ruins of a once-luxurious mountain resort and later a tuberculosis sanatorium. In the late 1800s, Eugene Van Patten (a former Confederate soldi...