[1] They lie 10 mi (16 km) east of the city of Las Cruces, in Doña Ana County.

The limestone section includes some of the northernmost populations of lechuguilla (Agave lecheguilla), often considered an indicator species of the Chihuahuan Desert, whereas the igneous sections of the range include all of the endemic taxa and have botanical affinity with Madrean flora typical of the southwestern sky islands.

The protected lands surrounding the National Monument are threatened by the expansion of nearby settlements, energy development and mining, invasive species, and growing aridity due to climate change.

[4] The first documented climbs of Organ Mountain peaks were in the early 1890s, but most were done in the mid-1950s by climbers stationed at nearby Fort Bliss Army Base and NMSU faculty.

White House press secretary Jay Carney stated that "By establishing the monument, the president will permanently protect more than 496,000 acres to preserve the prehistoric, historic and scientific values of the area for the benefit of all Americans.