New Mexico

National & State Parks

National Parks:

Carlsbad Caverns National State Park - Gigantic subterranean chambers and formations and are home to 300,000 Mexican free-tail bats who reside in the Caverns from the spring until October.

Chaco Canyon National Historic Park - A major center of Ancestral Puebloan culture, Chaco Canyon was a hub of ceremony, trade and administration for the prehistoric Four Corners area.

Pecos National Historical Park - The ruins of the ancient 15th century Pueblo of Pecos and the remains of two Spanish missions are contained in the park, located in a landmark area on the Santa Fe Trail.

New Mexico State Parks:

Bluewater Lake State Park - Rolling hills studded with piñon and juniper trees encircle the lake, near Prewitt, which is stocked with trout and catfish.

Bottomless Lakes State Park - Outside of Roswell, this park has seven small park lakes bordered by high red bluffs.

Brantley Lake State Park - New Mexico's newest state park, near Carlsbad.

Caballo Lake State Park - In southwest New Mexico, this park is well known for the majestic bald and golden eagles that migrate through it.

Cimarron Canyon State Park - Part of the 33,116-acre Colin Neblett Wildlife Area near Cimarron—the largest wildlife area in the state.

City of Rocks State Park - Near Faywood in the southwest part of the state, the park's rock formations are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world.

Clayton Lake State Park - Set among rolling grasslands of eastern New Mexico, the park offers excellent trout, catfish and bass fishing.

Conchas Lake State Park - Water sports activities abound, including boating, fishing and water-skiing at this refreshing 25-mile long reservoir.

Coyote Creek State Park - This secluded park is nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Mora County.

Eagle Nest Lake State Park - Set in the scenic Moreno Valley and surrounded by two of the state's highest peaks, Baldy Mountain and Wheeler Peek, this 2,400-acre lake is known for its kokanee salmon.

El Vado Lake State Park - Beautiful lake in a mountain setting, El Vado also features a scenic trail along the Chama River in northern New Mexico.

Elephant Butte Lake State Park - New Mexico's largest and most popular lake, this lake near Truth or Consequences is a boater's paradise.

Fenton Lake State Park - A popular year-round retreat surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pine forests near Jemez Springs.

Heron Lake State Park - Located in the north-central part of the state, this lake is ideal for sailing and windsurfing, as well as fishing for record-size trout. Ice fishing is popular in winter for the arctic set.

Hyde Memorial State Park - Enjoy camping and picnicking among towering pines and aspen trees just outside of Santa Fe.

Leasburg Dam State Park - Outside of Radium Springs in southern New Mexico, the dam here is one of the oldest diversion dams in the state.

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens - An indoor/outdoor living museum displaying more than 40 native animal species in Carlsbad.

Manzano Mountains State Park - The park is an excellent place for bird watching, photography, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Salinas National Monument is located nearby, as is the town of Mountainair.

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park - This park follows along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and includes a variety of trails and natural habitats including the Picacho wetlands.

Morphy Lake State Park - Near the Pecos Wilderness, this is a pack-in and pack-out lake with great trout fishing and rustic charm.

Navajo Lake State Park - Located in far northern New Mexico along the San Juan River, Navajo Lake is New Mexico's second largest lake. It offers the full gamut of water sports and services.

Oasis State Park - Near Portales and Eastern New Mexico University, this oasis on the plains offers amazing bird watching; it's home to over 80 species.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park - Outside of Alamogordo in the Sacramento Mountains, the flowing water and abundant plants and animals in Dog Canyon attracted both prehistoric and historic inhabitants to the area.

Pancho Villa State Park - On the border with Mexico, this park offer extensive historical exhibits depicting the raid on Columbus, New Mexico in 1916.

Percha Dam State Park - Percha Dam State Park in southwest New Mexico may well be the greatest hidden treasure of the New Mexico State Park system.

Rio Grande Nature Center - In Albuquerque, this park is the winter home to Canadian geese, sandhill cranes and various species of ducks and other waterfowl.

Rockhound State Park - Outside of Deming, rock and mineral specimens of volcanic origin are scattered across the park, making it a great destination for rockhounds.

Santa Rosa State Park - On the high plains of eastern New Mexico, this Pecos River reservoir offers a variety of water sports.

Storrie Lake State Park - Near Las Vegas, this lake is known for consistent winds that provide excellent conditions for sailing and windsurfing.

Sugarite Canyon State Park - This unique park located on the border with Colorado outside Raton features heavily wooded mountains and meadows painted with wildflowers.

Ute Lake State Park - Outside of Logan in the eastern part of New Mexico, this lake has some of the best walleye fishing in New Mexico.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park - Built in Angel Fire by the Westphall family in honor of their son, who was killed during the Vietnam War, this memorial is a moving tribute to our nation's military men and women.

Villanueva State Park - A charming riverside park situated in a canyon of red and yellow sandstone cliffs in San Miguel County.

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