Las Cruces is well positioned for day trips in every direction. Caballo Lake to the north offers water sports and eagle watching in spring. City of Rocks State Park, an hour and a half west, has spectacular volcanic rock formations. The Lincoln National Forest covers three mountain ranges and is the birthplace of Smokey Bear. El Paso is an hour south, and the Gila National Forest to the west rewards a longer drive with some of the wildest country in the state.