The best seasons are autumn (October and November), winter, and spring (March to May). Daytime temperatures are mild and nights are cool enough to make the hot springs genuinely appealing. The sky stays clear and the desert light is at its most flattering.
Summer is the one season to approach with care. Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, and the sun is unrelenting. The saving grace is Elephant Butte Lake, which draws crowds of boaters and swimmers from across New Mexico and Texas — the lake scene is lively, but the town gets hectic on summer weekends. Monsoon season arrives in July and August, bringing brief but intense afternoon thunderstorms that cool things down temporarily.
Winter brings the RV crowd: retirees who base themselves here for weeks at a time, drawn by the hot springs and the mild days. The town feels more populated and more social than you might expect in January. Book ahead if you want one of the better hot spring lodges.
The annual Fiesta, held each April in honor of former resident Ralph Edwards (who brought the town its improbable name), includes parades and events that are worth catching if you happen to be passing through.