Page 2 of New Mexico State Parks by New Mexico Tourism Department

northwest region navajo lake state park new mexico s second-largest state park offers excellent yearround boating fishing and camping in three recreation areas pine river is the most developed area across the lake the sims mesa area is accessible by n.m 527 both areas have developed campgrounds full-service marinas and visitor centers with educational exhibits the san juan river area below the dam is recognized worldwide for its trophy trout fishing and includes a developed campground and wheelchair-accessible fishing facilities bluewater lake state park rolling hills studded with pinon and juniper trees encircle the 7-mile-long lake which is stocked with trout and catfish the lake is popular for boating year-round fishing wildlife watching and hiking fenton lake state park set in a forest of ponderosa pine the park is a popular destination for family camping fishing hiking and cross-country skiing the 35-acre lake is well stocked with trout great for canoeing and includes wheelchair-accessible fishing piers hyde memorial state park nestled among towering pines new mexico s first state park is an ideal spot for summer picnics and hikes winter sledding and cross-country skiing located near the santa fe ski area the park is a popular base camp for excursions into the santa fe national forest or into the city of santa fe and its many cultural and historical attractions the park s historic lodge is available for special events heron lake state park best-known for its sailing and fishing the park also is popular with campers and hikers who enjoy the solitude and can watch wildlife and enjoy the scenic vistas along the 5.5-mile rio chama trail that connects heron and el vado lake state parks the lake is restricted to no-wake speeds making it ideal for sailing canoeing and kayaking el vado lake state park set among pines and juniper the park and its 3,220-acre lake beckon visitors to enjoy some of northern new mexico s finest scenery fishing and water sports the park offers excellent opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching especially in the winter when eagles and migrating waterfowl make their appearance rio grande nature center state park a peaceful oasis along the rio grande bosque in albuquerque the park includes interpretive nature trails demonstration gardens and numerous exhibits about the areas natural environment wildlife abounds in the park especially in wintertime when migrating waterfowl can be observed from the visitor center and trails many educational programs are offered manzano mountains state park just an hour s drive from albuquerque the park offers opportunities to hike watch wildlife or just relax with the family open april 1-oct 31 the park is home to about 200 species of birds including mountain bluebirds warbling vireos hummingbirds jays and hawks northeast region clayton lake state park sitting pretty among rolling grasslands near the historic santa fe trail the park offers visitors an opportunity to camp fish or picnic near one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in north america the 170-acre lake is a waterfowl resting area in winter when bird watching is superb but fishing is prohibited conchas lake state park about 25 miles long at capacity the lake is popular for boating fishing swimming camping hiking scuba diving and even golf visitors also enjoy watching the area s wildlife including the thousands of migrating waterfowl in the wintertime cimarron canyon state park trout fishing is excellent and wildlife is abundant at this park which is part of a state wildlife area hikers and anglers enjoy the park s eight-mile section of cimarron canyon known for its towering rock cliffs called the palisades coyote creek state park solitude scenery and some of the best mountain trout fishing in new mexico await visitors at the park which sits at 7,700 feet in the eastern foothills of the sangre de cristo mountains it is an ideal place to camp picnic or fish eagle nest lake state park the 2,400-acre lake and 2,485 acres of recreation land offers some of the finest trout and kokanee salmon fishing in the state seasonal recreation includes boating hiking picnicking and cross-country skiing with opportunities to see an abundance of birds and other wildlife including elk deer bears and eagles morphy lake state park surrounded by mountains at 8,000 feet this park is a great spot for primitive camping fishing hiking and wildlife watching there are no utilities or drinking water at the park which is open april 1-oct 31 the lake is stocked with trout and nowake restrictions make it ideal for canoes and kayaks villanueva state park nestled between high red sandstone bluffs along the pecos river near the picturesque spanish-colonial village of villanueva the park offers camping fishing and hiking trails with views of old ranching ruins sugarite canyon state park from fishing hiking and mountain biking to canoeing wildlife watching and historical exhibits this park near the colorado border offers something for everyone two lakes offer excellent trout fishing year-round and hikers and mountain bikers enjoy more than 12 miles of trails visitors also can explore the ruins of sugarite a historic coal-mining town storrie lake state park favorable summer breezes and no speed restrictions make this park a popular destination for wind-surfers recreational boaters and anglers ute lake state park a popular family camping destination this 13-mile-long lake and park offers water sports swimming hiking wildlife viewing and some of the best walleye fishing in new mexico southwest region elephant butte lake state park one of the largest and most popular lakes in new mexico elephant butte reservoir is 40 miles long and provides a setting for every imaginable water sport campers will find more than 200 developed sites and plenty of primitive sites along the lake anglers catch trophy-sized striped bass along with largemouth bass walleye catfish and crappie visitors also will find educational exhibits at the park visitor center caballo lake state park the caballo mountains are the majestic backdrop to the lake which boasts a full array of water sports winter waterfowl watching camping and cactus gardens in bloom the riverside campground below the dam offers shady camping and picnicking sites among the cottonwoods percha dam state park set in the deep shade of towering cottonwoods the park features fishing hiking and camping along the rio grande birdwatchers are thrilled by the numbers and varieties of species that call the park home especially in the winter when ducks geese sandhill cranes and herons visit the park city of rocks state park millions of years of erosion brought this volcanic rock city to its present stature as one of new mexico s more unique state parks visitors can camp picnic and hike among the pillars some rising as high as 40 feet nature lovers enjoy watching a myriad of chihuahuan desert wildlife that call the city home and are featured in displays at the park s unique visitor center pancho villa state park this park commemorates march 9 1916 the day francisco pancho villa s troops attacked the border town of columbus n.m and the u.s military incursion into mexico that followed the park visitor center is home to artifacts historic photos and exhibits describing the events the park also has extensive cactus gardens a pleasant campground and good bird watching rockhound state park nestled within the rugged florida and little florida mountains the park is a favorite of rockhounds because of the abundant agate and quartz crystals found there the park has plenty of developed campsites picnic areas wild flowers birds and hiking trails the visitor center offers exhibits about the local geology flora and fauna leasburg dam state park this quiet desert oasis along the rio grande is an ideal spot to camp and picnic fish for walleye and catfish or watch the stars from light-pollution-free campsites visitors can hike the short trails and visit the cactus patch garden within the park or check out the ruins at fort selden state monument just a halfmile away southeast region bottomless lakes state park water sports in the summer and trout fishing in the winter await visitors at this park a series of seven small lakes bordered by high red bluffs the lakes are 17 to 90-feet deep sinkholes created by circulating underground water that dissolved salt and gypsum deposits the largest lea lake is a cool playground where visitors can rent paddleboats swim scuba dive or relax on a sandy beach brantley lake state park southeastern new mexico s largest lake offers a myriad of adventures with plenty of room for boating water-skiing and fishing and opportunities to camp picnic and explore the park is an excellent base camp for visiting area attractions including living desert zoo gardens state park 12 miles south in carlsbad sitting bull falls 40 miles southwest and carlsbad caverns national park about 47 miles to the south living desert zoo gardens state park this accredited zoo features native plants and animals of the chihuahuan desert visitors walk a 1.3-mile trail through the desert habitats and see exhibits of more than 200 animals including mountain lions bobcats fox deer elk javelina mexican wolves and numerous species of birds and reptiles the visitor center includes exhibits on the area s plants and animals geology and history oasis state park a true oasis in the grassy plains of eastern new mexico the park is home to tall cottonwoods shifting sand dunes and a bright blue-green fishing pond stocked with catfish and trout the family-oriented park has plenty of camping and picnicking sites and several hiking trails oliver lee memorial state park set against the west-facing escarpment of the sacramento mountains the park features historical exhibits and a fully restored 19th century ranch house springs from dog canyon support a variety of unexpected plant life including maidenhair fern and wild orchids there are plenty of campsites and hardy hikers can tackle the 5 ½-mile dog canyon trail which rises about 3,100 feet and offers spectacular views of the tularosa basin and lincoln national forest santa rosa lake state park this pecos river reservoir offers a variety of water sports fishing and one of the state s few designated equestrian trails with all the necessary accommodations for horses boating of all types is permitted making the park a popular destination for water-skiers canoeists and windsurfers sumner lake state park anglers boaters and birders enjoy this park for its diverse recreational opportunities campers and picnickers will find plenty of space and the lake is open to craft of all types anglers commonly catch walleye crappie bass and catfish wildlife watchers see deer coyotes foxes and many species of birds including thousands of waterfowl that visit the park each winter.

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