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Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture

4.8
·2k reviews·Las Cruces, United States

A colossal roadrunner sculpture made from recycled materials, offering a quirky roadside attraction with stunning mountain views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Sunrise & Sunset

Golden hour magic

CrowdLow
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The guardian

Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture

Best Time

Sunrise & Sunset

Golden hour magic

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A colossal roadrunner sculpture made from recycled materials, offering a quirky roadside attraction with stunning mountain views.

4.8
(2k reviews)

"This giant recycled roadrunner is a creative marvel with breathtaking views of the Organ Mountains!"

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Golden Hour Photo Ops

Catch the best light for photos during sunrise or sunset. The Organ Mountains backdrop is stunning!

👟 Spot the Recycled Items

Get up close to find familiar objects like shoes, keyboards, and crutches incorporated into the art.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 1,893 reviews

Type

Sculpture

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Giant Recycled Roadrunner

The Giant Recycled Roadrunner

Scenic View Rest Area, West Mesa

A colossal roadrunner sculpture made from an eclectic mix of recycled items. Spot tennis shoes, keyboards, and more!

Panoramic Organ Mountain Views

Panoramic Organ Mountain Views

Scenic View Rest Area

Breathtaking vistas of the Organ Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the unique roadside art.

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Planning Your Visit

A Quirky Roadside Gem

This giant roadrunner sculpture, crafted from recycled materials, is a unique roadside attraction. It's located at a scenic overlook, offering great views and a chance to stretch your legs. Perfect for a quick, memorable stop on your journey.

Best Time for Views & Photos

Visit during sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic lighting on the sculpture and the Organ Mountains. Weekday mornings or late afternoons tend to be less crowded, allowing for better photo opportunities and a more peaceful experience.

Best Times

When
Sunrise & Sunset
Why
Golden hour magic
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, better photos
Crowd
Low
When
Late Afternoons
Why
Golden light, less heat
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Art from recycled scrap! 💚 (IG🎥: @jt_sculptures) Jamie Thomas focuses on sustainability by transforming discarded metals like steel, copper, and aluminum into stunning sculptures. By repurposing materials from junkyards and old machinery, he reduces environmental impact and highlights the beauty of recycling.. #Unreel #Extreme #Sculpting #Metalwork #Recycling
@extremeofficial
418.9K likes • 5.4M views

📸 Golden Hour Photo Ops

Catch the best light for photos during sunrise or sunset. The Organ Mountains backdrop is stunning! Instagram

👟 Spot the Recycled Items

Get up close to find familiar objects like shoes, keyboards, and crutches incorporated into the art. Reddit

Art worth seeing 🔥 Guillermo Galetti, also known as Ladrón de Chatarra, known to everyone as the king of scrap metal, is an Argentinian artist who specializes in turning scrap into unique biomechanical sculptures. He combines his background as a physical education teacher and a blacksmith to create art that often mimics human and animal movements. His works have gained international attention, par...
@art_mix39
203.3K likes • 11.9M views
🚐💨 On the road again, and this time we found a true hidden gem in Las Cruces, New Mexico—the Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture! 🏜️🛠️ This massive roadrunner, made entirely from repurposed materials, sits high above the city, watching over travelers along I-10. ♻️ From old sneakers to discarded keyboards, this unique piece of roadside art is a reminder that creativity has no limits! If you’re ever in ...
twospiritstravels
15 likes • 248 views

🚻 Clean Restrooms Available

The rest area offers clean facilities and picnic tables, perfect for a break. Reddit

🚗 Easy Access from I-10

Conveniently located at a rest stop off I-10, making it an easy stop for travelers. TikTok

Giant recycled roadrunner in Las Cruces is 20 ft tall and 40 ft wide! It's the official state bird of New Mexico made from tennis shoes, crutches, keyboards, cell phones and more! #roadrunner #sculpture #art #recycled #lascruces #newmexico
bclife_vanlife
6 likes • 202 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Golden Hour Photo Ops

Catch the best light for photos during sunrise or sunset. The Organ Mountains backdrop is stunning! Instagram

👟 Spot the Recycled Items

Get up close to find familiar objects like shoes, keyboards, and crutches incorporated into the art. Reddit

🚻 Clean Restrooms Available

The rest area offers clean facilities and picnic tables, perfect for a break. Reddit

🚗 Easy Access from I-10

Conveniently located at a rest stop off I-10, making it an easy stop for travelers. TikTok

🚶 Stretch Your Legs

A great spot to get out of the car, explore the art, and enjoy the views. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.8
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about the creativity and uniqueness of the Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture, often calling it a 'neat' and 'interesting' piece of art. The stunning views of the Organ Mountains from the rest area are frequently praised, as are the clean facilities. Some enjoy the challenge of identifying the various recycled components.

"It's a full rest area with super clean bathrooms and has a security person onsite every time I've been. This is a sunrise from this beautiful vantage point on the edge of town. The view of the Organ Mountain Range is outstanding! The Recycled Roadrunner is really neat."

Stephanie Glover

"My husband and I loved this Sculpture! So creative! We spent time finding as many items we could find! Definitely stop by & stretch your legs and check it out!"

Irene Estlund

"This is a very nice rest stop with the World's Largest Roadrunner. The Roadrunner is made out of recycled materials like crutches, cd changers, var lights for eyes and lots and lots of tennis shoes. He's so interesting to look at. A great piece of art. Worth a stop to see!"

Gail Schwalbach

What People Like

Creative recycled art
Stunning mountain views
Clean rest area facilities

What People Dislike

Can be a quick stop

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The sculpture is located at the Scenic View rest area on the west side of Las Cruces, New Mexico, just off I-10. It's a convenient stop for travelers on this major highway. TikTokInstagram

Yes, ample parking is available at the Scenic View rest area, which serves as the access point for the sculpture. Reddit

Absolutely! It's prominently displayed at the rest stop and is hard to miss due to its size. Look for the signs for the Scenic View overlook. Instagram

While the rest area is accessible, the sculpture is best viewed and photographed during daylight hours, especially during sunrise or sunset for optimal lighting. Instagram

The sculpture is located on the western edge of Las Cruces, making it easily accessible for those driving through or staying in the city. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there are no tickets required. The sculpture is part of a public rest area and is free to view. Reddit

The sculpture is accessible whenever the rest area is open, which is typically 24/7. However, the best viewing times are during daylight hours. Instagram

No, the Scenic View rest area is a public facility and does not charge an admission fee. Reddit

Pets are generally allowed in rest areas but must be kept on a leash. Always check local regulations. Instagram

The sculpture can be visited year-round. However, spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather for exploring. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic lighting, casting a warm glow on the sculpture and the Organ Mountains. Weekday mornings are also great for fewer crowds. Instagram

Any camera, from a smartphone to a DSLR, can capture the sculpture. Consider a wide-angle lens to get the entire structure and its surroundings in the frame. Instagram

Generally, there are no restrictions on personal photography at the rest area. However, commercial photography might require permission. Instagram

Experiment with different angles! From a distance to capture its scale against the mountains, or up close to highlight the recycled materials. Instagram+1

Drone usage may be restricted in rest areas and near highways. It's best to check FAA regulations and local advisories before flying a drone. TikTok

🎫 📍 Onsite Experience

You can admire the unique sculpture, take photos, enjoy the panoramic views of the Organ Mountains, and use the clean restrooms and picnic facilities. InstagramReddit

A visit typically takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on how long you spend admiring the art and taking photos. Reddit

Yes, the Scenic View rest area is equipped with clean restrooms and picnic tables, making it a comfortable stop. Reddit

The rest area is generally accessible, and the sculpture is visible from the main viewing areas. Reddit

The sculpture was created by artists Olin Calk and Dan Smith in 1993, using a variety of discarded materials to celebrate the New Mexico state bird. Instagram

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