Soledad Canyon

Soledad Canyon lies east of the city, in the foothills at the base of the Organ Mountains. The road of the same name climbs toward the canyon itself and the trailheads of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, and Dripping Springs Road runs along the north side of the area.

This is large-lot country. Homes here sit on an acre or more, many on several acres, and a few on far larger parcels. Homes are set apart from one another, with the mountains rising directly behind them and the whole Mesilla Valley spread out to the west. The area is often called Talavera, after its largest subdivision; Desert Mirage, La Jolla del Monte and Miners Ridge are others.

The homes are custom built, most of them since the mid-1990s, and they are large: around 3,000 square feet is typical and 5,000 is not unusual. Three- and four-car garages are common, and many properties allow horses.

Soledad Canyon is the most expensive part of the Las Cruces area. Most homes offered here are priced above $500,000, and more of the area’s homes above $1 million are found here than anywhere else.

Homeowner associations are uncommon. The area is rural, so water source, septic and road maintenance are worth confirming for each property.

The drive to town is longer than from the mesa neighborhoods, and the mountains are at the door.