Anthony, New Mexico, sits on the border between New Mexico and Texas, about 21 miles north of El Paso. The community has long been an essential stop for travelers. In 1598, the first road established by Europeans—the Camino Real Navajo Trade Route—ran directly through it and was active until 1882. Another important road—the Butterfield Overland Mail Trail—passed a short distance north of Anthony. It operated from 1858 to 1861, when service was interrupted by the American Civil War. The route was designated a National Historic Site in 2023.
Sometime around 1880, a Mexican American woman constructed a small chapel celebrating Saint Anthony, and a community began to coalesce. Out of necessity, the town started raising crops in the desert. Farmers realized abundant harvests with ample water supplied by the Rio Grande and innovative irrigation techniques.
To quickly ship harvests to the emerging market in California, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad expanded a spur to Anthony in 1881. During the 1950s, Interstate 10 reached Anthony encouraging the growth of a healthy cannery industry on the Texas side of the town. With agriculture dominating the New Mexico side and industry dominating the Texas side, the border became a community issue finally resolved in 2010 when the two Anthonys separated to become sovereign entities, each with the same name registered in different states.
Anthony, New Mexico, expands yearly as workers in El Paso find the small-town feel a pleasant environment to raise families. The resulting growth has led to the creation of eight restaurants and three gas stations. With its location near the Rio Grande and on I-10, Anthony is quickly becoming a favorite place to stop and enjoy a unique piece of American history.
Campgrounds near Anthony, New Mexico
Mission RV Park in nearby El Paso offers travelers a choice of 188 spacious campsites. The campsites accommodate any wide-outs an RV may have, with space left over for a family to spread out. The pull-through sites are 70 feet in length. The park has a large swimming pool, a spa, a playground, a volleyball court, and a basketball court. Cable TV and Wi-Fi run off the 30-amp and 50-amp service each site enjoys. Restrooms, showers, and a laundry room are provided for guests, and a night patrol offers extra security.
Conveniently placed on the outskirts of El Paso, the Desert Oasis Park offers 33 full hookup sites for weary travelers. It is a park with fewer amenities than the upscale resorts, but it makes up for it with a friendly environment that encourages a community feel. Showers and restrooms are available for the use of guests. Pets are welcome at this RV park.
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site provides an interesting counter to the many upscale campgrounds near Anthony, New Mexico. This park is a scenic wonderland located in the deep desert southeast of El Paso. There are 20 campsites, four of which offer water and 16 that provide water and 50-amp electricity. Restrooms are available for guests, and each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. The distinctive rock formations are some of the most picture-worthy in the area. Hiking trails are abundant with varying levels of intensity. For those travelers looking for a quiet place off the beaten path with incredible desert views, this place is worthy of consideration.
National Parks near Anthony, New Mexico
Incredible White Sands National Park sits about 80 miles northeast of Anthony. Covering 145,152 acres, the park is an expanse of white gypsum that dazzles the eye. A gypsum dune field includes gypsum peaks, sometimes reaching above 30 feet. Looking at the stark beauty, people find it hard to believe that the area of White Sands was alive with streams and lakes just 12,000 years ago. Geologists and climatologists often study the area, citing it as an example of the effects of climate change. Even in the modern dry environment that is White Sands, life persists. Over 250 forms of wildlife inhabit White Sands, many of which are nocturnal. Coyotes, bobcats, rabbits, and kangaroo rats are often sighted at night.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park lies 111 miles east of Anthony in an isolated section of Texas. The park covers 86,468 acres of mountainous and desert terrain. The mountains soar to 8,475 feet, which makes it the tallest range in Texas. Once visitors pass Dell City, there are few amenities in this rugged park. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or water stops. Extensive hiking trails and some rock climbing opportunities are available for visitors.
About 170 miles east of Anthony, the Carlsbad Caverns National Park beckons people worldwide. Located deep in the Chihuahuan Desert, this series of 193 glittering caves are home to billions of Brazilian free-tailed bats. Around 410,000 people visit the park each year to explore these deep underground caves. Visitors entering the caverns from a hot arid desert environment are suddenly struck by the consistent 58 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. Dripping waters formed the incredible stalactites and stalagmites that grace the caves. Camping of any kind is not allowed inside the park. However, RV travelers find several campgrounds to choose from nearby in communities like Carlsbad or Whites City.
State Parks Near Anthony, New Mexico
Located in El Paso, Franklin Mountains State Park covers 40 square miles, making it the largest urban state park in the country. The park offers over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. While mule deer, collared lizards, and other natural wildlife inhabit the park, bird-watching is the activity that brings the most visitors. Five RV campsites are available with a picnic table and a fire ring. No other amenities are available, so any RV travelers should consider camping at this park as a primitive experience.
Only 68 miles north of Anthony, New Mexico, northwest of Las Cruces, the Leasburg Dam State Park is open from Thursday to Sunday each week. The park offers 24 RV campsites with water and electricity service. Swimming and angling in the reservoir are among the favorite activities visitors enjoy. There are several hiking trails, including a nature trail that runs 2.25 miles around the reservoir. Stargazing is a fantastic experience for urban dwellers at night, as the area is free from light pollution.
About 83 miles west of Anthony sits Rockhound State Park. Covering 1,100 acres, this park attracts rock collectors globally. It received its name due to the abundant diversity in rocks such as quartz, geodes, jasper, and perlite found inside its boundaries. Nestled in a low range of peaks called the Little Florida Mountains on a desert plateau, visitors are amazed at the visual effects produced by the rise of hot are from the arid desert that makes the peaks appear as “sky islands.” The park has a campground providing 28 campsites, 22 of which have electric service and the remaining six being primitive sites.
National Sites Near Anthony, New Mexico
Lying among the Gila Mountains, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument lies 144 miles northwest of Anthony. The dwellings carved out of the stone high above the desert were opened to the public in 1975. Archeological studies show that the dwellings were carved around 1200 and occupied into the early 14th century. Today, visitors can enter the caves in the same fashion as the original inhabitants, via long wooded ladders.
The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Park consists of three structures near Albuquerque, New Mexico—approximately 244 miles north of Anthony. Constructed from 1622 to 1635, these pueblo missions remained in operation until 1673, when disease, drought, and repeated Apache attacks forced their closure. Other structures, erected near 1773, resulted from Spanish attempts to return to the area as sheep farmers.
The Chiricahua National Memorial lies 211 miles west of Anthony, New Mexico, in Arizona. The monument is so remote that it is visited by less than 60,000 people yearly, with most seeking high rugged terrains of outstanding beauty. Chiricahua results from a volcanic eruption that occurred millions of years ago, vomiting ash, pumice stone, and an immense volume of igneous rock. Over the millennia that followed, erosion delved into the stone and sand, creating a deep canyon with unique spires.
National Forests Near Anthony, New Mexico
Surrounded by desert environments, the Lincoln National Forest erupts against the horizon like a green oasis. Located 94 miles south of Anthony, just north of the Mexico border, this forest covers 1.1 million acres with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 11,400 feet. Recreational activities in the forest include hiking, biking, picnicking, and camping. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the forest.
The Gila National Forest is the sixth-largest national forest in the United States, covering 2,710,650 acres. Situated 175 miles northwest of Anthony, this forest includes the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, Gila Wilderness, and Blue Range Wilderness areas. It is the home of the Gila Monster, Gila Trout, and Gila Topminnow—three species not naturally occupying any other areas of the country. The site is unspoiled mainly due to a rugged terrain that includes everything from arid desert areas and mesas to rugged mountains and deep canyons. Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest. Though there are some organized campgrounds, potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available.
The Coronado National Forest lies 297 miles west of Anthony near Tucson, AZ. It straddles the New Mexico and Arizona border covering 1.7 million acres, including mountainous terrain in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking, camping, angling, and boating. Several developed campgrounds within the forest boundaries have some amenities. While dispersed camping is also allowed, potable water and public toilets do not exist outside developed campgrounds.
