1. Elephant Butte Lake State Park
If you like camping, fishing, boating, or just being outdoors, Elephant Butte is for you. There is plenty of water and plenty of beach room and this is New Mexico’s largest State Park. Elephant Butte Lake can accommodate watercraft of many styles and sizes: kayaks, jet skis, pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers, and houseboats. Remember to wear your life jacket. Boat safe and boat smart! Besides sandy beaches, the State Park offers restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and developed sites with electric and water hook-ups for RV’s.
Where: Elephant Butte
Elevation: 4,527 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 209
2. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Where: Carlsbad
Elevation: 3,482
Miles from Santa Fe: 273
This native wildlife zoo, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, exhibits more than 40 species of animals and hundreds of species of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert. The park provides an up-close experience for visitors, with a variety of fun interpretive programs for every season geared for the entire family. Living Desert also has beautiful hiking trails, picnic areas, and group facilities. There is no camping and no pets are allowed.
3. City of Rocks State Park
Where: Deming
Elevation: 5,259 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 321
City of Rocks gets its name from the incredible volcanic rock formations found here. The park encompasses a one square mile area in the scenic Chihuahuan desert region of southwestern New Mexico at an elevation of 5,200 feet. The “city” is a geologic formation made up of large, sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets. These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago when a very large volcano erupted. Then, erosion over millions of years slowly formed the sculptured columns seen today, creating a stunning, otherworldly landscape.
Located about halfway between Silver City and Deming, City of Rocks offers camp sites, hiking trails, excellent mountain biking, wildlife viewing, birding, stargazing, picnic areas and a desert botanical garden. The uniquely designed, new Visitor Center includes a large display area and modern restrooms with hot showers. City of Rocks State Park is your official sponsor of adventure!
4. Navajo Lake State Park
Navajo Lake is the second largest lake in the state, with multiple campgrounds, two marinas, and two boat docks. Navajo is a haven for boaters of every stripe – motorized boaters, canoers, kayakers, water skiers and sailors. The San Juan River is a world-class fly fishing destination and features a campground, day use areas and a serene trail along the river. Navajo Lake State Park offers some of the best boating, fishing, hiking, and camping in New Mexico.
Where: Navajo Dam
Elevation 5,600 – 6,600 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 186
5. Bluewater Lake State Park
Where: Prewitt
Elevation: 7,554 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 163
This serene lake, located 25 miles west of Grants, is set in a pinon-juniper landscape with views towards the Zuni Mountains. The park offers camping, hiking, birding, horseback riding, and fishing. And not just any fishing – you’ll find some of the best tiger muskie fishing at Bluewater Lake!
6. Sugarite Canyon State Park
Where: Raton
Elevation: 6,664 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 181
The nature enthusiast will appreciate the abundance of wildlife, birds, butterflies, and wildflowers among the lakes, creeks, forests, and meadows. Nearly all outdoor recreation activities are possible: Fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping.
7. Clayton Lake State Park
The park is an oasis in the rolling grasslands of northeastern New Mexico. Enjoy boating, picnicking, camping, fishing and hiking. Get a unique glimpse of the past when you explore one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in North America and a close-up look at the stars at the Lake Observatory.
Where: Clayton
Elevation: 5,186 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 228
8. Pancho Villa State Park
Located at the border of Mexico, the park exhibit hall and historic structures capture the history of the Pancho Villa Raid and historic Camp Furlong. The large campground offers utility hookups for campers with RVs, and a playground for the kids.
Where: Columbus
Elevation 4,073 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 328
9. Cimarron Canyon State Park
The Cimarron River flows through this narrow, forested canyon, located near Eagle Nest on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The park offers beautiful views, interesting geology, quiet camping, fly fishing, hiking and equestrian trails. The wildlife viewing opportunities are amazing, as the park sits at the center of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area.
Where: Eagle Nest
Park Elevation 7,876 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 98
10. Heron Lake State Park
A picturesque lake set among the tall pines of northern New Mexico, Heron Lake State Park has been designated a “quiet lake” where boats operate at no-wake speeds only, making it an excellent location for all types of paddle craft. Heron also has amazing sailing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Heron is a fisherman’s paradise with record-size trout and kokanee salmon. Ice fishing is very popular in winter. Several campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake with primitive and developed campsites are available for every taste.
Where: Los Ojos
Elevation 7,167 ft
Miles from Santa Fe: 100
