Bluewater Lake State Park

28 miles west of Grants via I-40 and New Mexico 412
(505) 876-2391
Rolling hills studded with piñon and juniper trees encircle the lake, which is stocked with trout and catfish and is popular for year-round fishing.
Elevation: 7,400. Land Acres: 3,000. Lake Surface Area: 1,200.

Bottomless Lakes State Park

16 miles SE of Roswell on US 380
(505) 624-6058
Bordered by high red bluffs, the seven small park lakes offer a variety of recreation opportunities induding swimming, fishing, and scuba diving.
Elevation: 3,500. Land Acres: 3,000. Lake Surface Acres: 45.

Brantley Lake State Park

12 miles north of Carlsbad on US 285
(505) 457-2384
This southern desert park offers fishing, water sports, and a visitor center with historical exhibits about the Wild West town of Seven Rivers.
Elevation: 3,300. Land Acres: 3,000. Lake Surface Acres: 2,800.

Caballo Lake State Park

16 miles South of Truth or Consequences on I-25
(505) 743-3942
The Caballo Mountains serve as a backdrop to the park, which offers a full array of water sports, winter waterfowl watching, and extensive cactus gardens.
Elevation: 4,100. Land Acres: 5,300. Lake Surface Acres: 11,500.

Chicosa Lake State Park

9 miles NE of Roy on NM 120
(505) 485-2424
This small natural-lake park offers historical exhibits of area cattle drives along the Goodnight-Loving Trail.
Elevation: 5,900. Land Acres: 640. Lake Surface Acres: 40.

Cimarron Canyon State Park

3 miles east of Eagle Nest on US 64
(505) 377-6271
Located in New Mexico's high country, the park is part of a state wildlife area, where overnight visitors must have a valid fishing or hunting license. Trout fishing is excellent, and wildlife is abundant.
Elevation: 8,000. Land Acres: 33,000.

City of Rocks State Park

28 miles NE of Deming via US 180 and NM 61
(505) 536-2800
Volcanic rock, created millions of years ago by the sculpting of wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, gives this park its name. Cactus gardens and hiking trails are also featured.
Elevation: 5,200. Land Acres: 680.

Clayton Lake State Park

15 miles north of Clayton on NM 370
(505) 374-8808
Clayton Lake, set among rolling grasslands, offers good trout, catfish, and bass fishing. A short trail overlooks a 100-million-year-old dinosaur trackway containing nearly 500 footprints.
Elevation: 5,100. Land Acres: 420. Lake Surface Acres: 150.

Conchas Lake State Park

34 miles NW of Tucumcari on NM 104
(505) 868-2270
This 25-mile long reservoir offers a full spectrum of water-based recreation activities, a restaurant, general store, and lodging facilities.
Elevation: 4,200. Land Acres: 290. Lake Surface Acres: 9,600.

Coronado State Park

On the Rio Grande in Bernalillo on NM 44
(505) 867-5589
Splendid views of the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande Valley complement the park's camping and picnicking facilities. Coronado State Monument (pueblo ruins) is adjacent.
Elevation: 5,600. Land Acres: 210.

Coyote Creek State Park

14 miles north of Mora on NM 434
(505) 387-2328
Secluded in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains beside a stream dotted with beaver ponds, this park offers hiking and fishing for rainbow and brown trout.
Elevation: 7,700. Land Acres: 80.

Elephant Butte Lake State Park

7 miles north of Truth or Consequences on I-25
(505) 744-5421
The largest and most popular lake in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Reservoir is 43 miles long and has a full array of water-based sports and land activities. Lake fish species include bass, channel catfish, and crappie. The visitor center offers regional interpretive exhibits.
Elevation: 4,700. Land Acres: 24,500. Lake Surface Acres: 36,500.

El Vado Lake State Park

14 miles SW of Tierra Amarilla on NM 112
(505) 588-7247
Located in New Mexico's northern mountains, the park offers both summer and winter sports activities. A 5 1/2 mile scenic trail along the Rio Chama connects El Vado with nearby Heron Lake.
Elevation: 6,900. Land Acres: 1,730. Lake Surface Acres: 3,200

Fenton Lake State Park

33 miles NW of San Ysidro via NM 44 and NM 4
(505) 829-3630
Surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pine forests, Fenton Lake is a popular year-round retreat. A cross-country ski/biathlon trail and wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms are special features of the park.
Elevation: 7,900. Land Acres: 700. Lake Surface Acres: 25.

Harry McAdams State Park

4 miles NW of Hobbs on NM 18
(505) 392-5845
This extensively landscaped park offers cool greenery surrounding a pair of small ponds. Historical exhibits are located in the visitor center.
Elevation 3,700. Land Acres: 40. Lake Survace Acres: 1.

Heron Lake State Park

11 miles west of Tierra Amarilla via US 64 and NM 95
(505) 588-7470
Set among tall pines, Heron has been designated a "quiet lake" where boats may operate at no-wake speeds only. It is best known for its excellent sailing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and hiking.
Elevation: 7,200. Land Acres: 4,100. Lake Surface Acres: 5,900.

Hyde Memorial State Park

12 miles NE of Santa Fe via Hyde Park Road/NM 475
(505) 983-7175
Located near the Santa Fe Ski Basin, Hyde Park offers camping and picnicking among tall pines, and is also used as a base for backpackers and hikers. A full-service restaurant is located in the park.
Elevation: 8,500. Land Acres: 350.

Leasburg Dam State Park

15 miles north of Las Cruces on I-25
(505) 524-4068
Leasburg Dam channels water from the Rio Grande for irrigation of the Mesilla Valley, providing a pleasant spot for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Nearby Fort Selden State Monument has a museum and trails.
Elavation: 4,200. Land Acres 140.

Manzano Mountains State Park

13 mils NW of Mountainair on NM 55
(505) 847-2820
Nestled in the wooded foothills of the Manzano Mountains, the park is an excellent place for birdwatching, photography, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Salinas National Monument is located nearby.
Elevation: 7,600. Land Acres: 160.

Morphy Lake State Park

4 miles south of Mora via NM 94, 7 miles west of Ledoux
(505) 387-2328
A primitive use area, this high mountain lake is accessible by foot, horseback, or four-wheel drive. The lake is stocked with trout and boating is limited to electric motors or oars.

Navajo Lake State Park

25 miles east of Bloomfield via US 64 and NM 511
(505) 632-2278
Navajo Lake comprises three separate recreation areas. Pine River is the most developed area, including a visitor center with interpretive exhibits. Across the lake is Sims Mesa, accessible by NM 527. San Juan River is nationally recognized for excellent trout fishing, and includes wheelchair-accessible camping and fishing facilities.
Elevation: 6,100. Land Acres: 21,000 Lake Surface Acres: 15,000.

Oasis State Park

18 miles SW of Clovis via US 60 and NM 467
(505) 356-5331
A true oasis, the park is set among cottonwood trees, shifting sand dunes, and a small fishing lake.
Elevation: 4,000. Land Acres: 190. Lake Survace Acres: 4.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

10 miles south of Alamogordo on US 54
(505) 437-8284
The park, set against the west-facing escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains, offers extensive historical exhibits and a fully restored 10th century ranch house. Springs from Dog Canyon support a variety of exotic plant species.
Elevation: 4,300. Land Acres: 200.

Pancho Villa State Park

35 miles south of Deming on NM 11
(505) 531-2711
On March 9, 1916, the soldiers of General Francisco "Pancho" Villa attacked the small border town of Columbus. Pancho Villa State Park commemorates that raid with extensive historical exhibits and an exotic desert botanical garden.
Elevation: 4,000. Land Acres: 60.

Experience the history behind Pancho Villa State Park, courtesy of Betty Reynolds, New Mexico Tech Library Director.

Percha Dam State Park

21 miles south of Truth or Consequences on I-25
(505) 743-3942
Set in the deep shade of towering cottonwoods, this park features fishing and hiking along a Rio Grande irrigation diversion dam.
Elevation: 4,100. Land Acres: 80.

Rockhound State Park

14 miles SE of Deming via NM 11 and access road 549
(505) 546-6182
Located on the rugged west slope of the Little Florida Mountains, this park is a favorite of rockhounds. Agates and quartz crystals are found in abundance within the park, and hiking trails offer visitors spectacular views.
Elevation: 4,500. Land Acres: 1,100.

Santa Rosa Lake State Park

7 miles north of Santa Rosa on access road
(505) 472-3110
This high plains Pecos River reservoir offers a variety of water sports including fishing for catfish, bass, and walleye.
Elevation: 4,800. Land Acres: 500. Lake Surface Acres, 3,800.

Senator Willie M. Chavez State Park

In Belen on Reinken/River Road on the Rio Grande
(505) 864-3915
Located in the cottonwoods along the Rio Grande, the park is popular for birdwatching and hiking.
Elevation: 4,800. Land Acres: 110.

Storrie Lake State Park

4 miles north of Las Vegas on NM 518
<505) 425-7278
Storrie Lake, popular for fishing and boating, also attracts colorful windsurfing boats because of its favorable summer breezes. The visitor center features historical exhibits on the Santa Fe Trail and 19th-century Las Vegas.
Elevation: 6,400. Land Acres: 80. Lake Surface Acres: 1,100.

Sugarite Canyon State Park

10 miles NE of Raton on NM 526
(505) 445-5607
Located on the border with Colorado, this heavily wooded mountain park is a cool summer haven and is popular in the winter for ice-fishing and cross- country skiing. No gasoline motors are allowed on the lakes.
Elevation: 7,800. Land Acres: 3,600. Lake Surface Acres: 120.

Sumner Lake State Park

16 miles NW of Fort Sumner via US 84 and NM 203
(505) 355-2541
Sumner Lake is stocked with bass, crappie, and channel catfish, and is a winter haven for migrating waterfowl.
Elevation: 4,300. Land Acres: 6,700. Lake Surface Acres: 4,500.

Ute Lake State Park

3 miles west of Logan on NM 540
(505) 487-2284
Offering some of the best walleye fishing in New Mexico, Canadian River reservoir also provides good fishing for bass, crappie, and channel catfish.
Elevation: 3,900. Land Acres: 1,500. Lake Surface Acres: 8,200.

Villenueve State Park

31 miles SW of Las Vegas via I-25 and NM 3
(505) 421-2957
Couched between high red sandstone bluffs on the Pecos River, this park is located near the picturesque Spanish-colonial village of Villanueva, offering hiking trails with views of old ranching ruins.
Elevation: 5,600. Land Acres: 1,600.

Day Use Only Parks

Living Desert State Park

In Carlsbad off US 285
(505) 887-5516
Dedicated to the interpretation of the Chihuahuan Desert, the park is an indoor/outdoor living museum of New Mexico's plants and animals, displaying more than 60 animal species and 1,000 different plants native to New Mexico.

Rio Grand Nature Center State Park

In Albuquerque on Candelaria NW
(505) 344-7240
Located on the central Rio Grande flyway, the Nature Center is winter home to Canada geese, sandhill cranes, and various species of ducks and other waterfowl. A trail system along the river, classrooms, and an extensive library with viewing areas complement the visitor center exhibits.

Santa Fe River State Park

In downtown Santa Fe along the Santa Fe River
(505) 827-7465
Located in the heart of the capital city of Santa Fe, the park offers shaded, tree-lined walkways and picnic tables along the Santa Fe River.

Smokey Bear Historical State Park

In Capitan on US 380
(505) 354-2748
The park, commemorating the history of Smokey Bear as the national symbol of forest fire prevention, features estensive exhibits and a short nature trail where the original Smokey Bear is buried.


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Last modified February 21, 1995
Jim Peavler
jmp@viva.com