Guide to New Mexico State Parks, Lakes, Hiking, & More

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We live in a beautiful state. There are so many different parts of New Mexico that have so much to offer, and the list below has a bunch of options that you can reach by just hopping in the car. Grab your adventuring crew and check out the ABQ Mom’s Guide to Adventuring in New Mexico.

PARKS

Cerrillos Hills State Park

Located off Turquoise Trail Highway in between ABQ and Santa Fe, this day-use park includes trails, mountain views, and miles of mining history.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Visitor Center

• Equestrian

Current Hours: Daily 6am – 9pm


Cimarron Canyon State Park

Northeast of Angel Fire find the Cimarron Canyon State Park along the Cimarron River. Keep a lookout for some wildlife viewing as the park sits in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area.

Features:

• Camping

• Hiking

• Birding

• Picnic Area

• Fly Fishing

• Equestrian

Current Hours: Thursday- Sunday 8am – 5pm


City of Rocks State Park

Located in between Silver City and Deming, this park is named after the volcanic rock formations that reside in the park. The volcanic rock was formed 34.9 million years ago and resembles a “city” while the trails that run through them resemble “city streets.”

Features:

• Camping

• Hiking

• Birding

• Mountain Biking

• Picnic Areas

• Botanical Garden

• Visitor Center with restrooms and hot showers

Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm


Coyote Creek State Park

This park is located southeast of Taos in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along a stream.

Features:

• Camping

• Hiking

• Birding

• Fishing

• Picnic Areas

• Playground

• Visitor Center

Current Hours: Friday – Sunday 7am – 4pm


Hyde Memorial State Park

Just a short drive from Santa Fe located along Little Tesuque Creek, you’ll find New Mexico’s first state park. Hyde Memorial has so much to offer from activities to places to stay and is super close to ABQ.

Features:

• Camping

• Hiking

• Lodging

• Yurts

• Picnic Areas

• Playground

• Snow activities (Snow-shoeing, cross country skiing, sledding)

• Visitor Center (with wi-fi)

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm


Leasburg Dam State Park

Just north of Las Cruces next to Radium springs, find this peaceful and relaxing state park. It offers a variety of amenities right on the Rio Grande.

Features:

• Camping

• Hiking

• Fishing

• Birding

• Kayaking

• Canoeing

• Swimming

• The Observatory (offering events and programs)

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 7am – 4pm


Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

Tucked right outside of Carlsbad find this wildlife zoo park. There are at least 40 different species and hundreds of plants that are able to be viewed up close.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Visitor Center

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 9am – 5pm


Manzano Mountains State Park

Right in Albuquerque’s backyard, find the Manzano Mountain State Park. If you’re looking for a quick getaway with plenty of trails and great views, check out this park.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Wildlife Viewing

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Closed


Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park

Right outside of Las Cruces, find the Mesilla Valley Bosque park.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Ranger-led Tours

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm


Oasis State Park

Named because of its representation of a true oasis, this state park is located right outside of Portales. If you’re looking for fishing (and many more activities), this is your spot.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Fishing

• Sand Dunes

• Equestrian

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Friday – Sunday 8am – 5pm


Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

In the Sacramento Mountains just south of Alamogordo, find the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Camping

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm


Pancho Villa State Park

Right on the border of Mexico, find a state park with a lot of history.

Features:

• Museum

• Birding

• Camping

• Picnic Area

• RV Camper hook-up

• Playground

Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm


Pecos Canyon State Park

One of New Mexico’s newest parks and still under development, Pecos Canyon is located just north of the Village of Pecos.

Features:

• Fishing

• Hiking

• Camping

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm


Percha Dam State Park

Just south of Truth or Consequences is a quiet, peaceful park great for camping.

Features:

• Fishing

• Hiking

• Camping

• Birding

• RV Hook-up

• Restroom and Showers

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm


Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

In the heart of Albuquerque, if you haven’t been already (possibly on a field trip), you will find the Rio Grande Nature Center. This is a great place for a fun, day trip exploring with the kiddos.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Wildlife Viewing

• Visitor Center

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm


Rockhound State Park

Just south of Deming is the Rockhound State park located in the Little Florida Mountains.

Features:

• Hiking

• Camping

• Birding

• Picnic Area

Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm


Villanueva State Park

Located in the heart of Villanueva, this park includes sandstone bluffs and the beautiful Pecos River.

Features:

• Hiking

• Birding

• Camping

• Picnic Area

• Fishing

• Equestrian

• Playground

Current Hours: Daily 8am – 5pm

LAKES

Bluewater Lake

• West of Grants • Currently closed

Bottomless Lakes

• SE of Roswell • Currently closed

Brantley Lake

• North of Carlsbad • Sat – Sun 7am – 5pm

Caballo Lake

• North of T or C • Thurs – Sun 7am – 5pm

Clayton Lake + Dinosaur Trackways

• North of Clayton • Fri – Sun 6am – 9pm

Conchas Lake

• NW of Tucumcari • Fri – Sun 7am – 5pm

Eagle Nest Lake

• North of AngelFire • Thurs – Sun 8am – 5pm

Elephant Butte Lake

• T or C • Thurs – Sun 9am – 8pm

El Vado Lake

• SW of Chama • Daily 7am – 5pm

Fenton Lake

• N of Jemez Springs • Currently Closed

Heron Lake

• NW of Chama • Daily 7am – 5pm

Morphy Lake

• NE of Santa Fe • Currently Closed

Navajo Lake 

• NE of Bloomfield • Daily 6am – 6pm

Santa Rosa Lake

• N of Santa Rosa • Sat – Sun 7am – 5pm

Storrie Lake

• N of Las Vegas • Daily 7am – 5pm

Sumner Lake

• NW of Fort Sumner • Sat – Sun 7am – 8pm

Ute Lake

• NE of Tucumcari • Daily 6am – 9pm

 

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKING TRAILS

Travertine Falls

Tijeras Exit to Arrowhead Trail and follow to the end.


Powerline Trail and Coyote Trail

East on I-40 and exit at Exit 175. At the bottom of the ramp there is a traffic light. Continue straight through the light on NM 337 for approximately 2 miles.


Alameda Open Space

South of Alameda at Rio Grande.


Cienega Picnic Area

East on I-40 to Exit 175 to Cedar Crest. Follow The Turquoise Trail for approximately 6.5 miles, to NM 536. Turn left onto 536 and follow it for about two miles. Turn left at the Cienega Picnic Area sign.


OTHER FUN PLACES TO ADVENTURE

White Sands National Monument

This national park consists of miles upon miles of white soft sand. BBQ grills, picnic sites, and a gift shop accompany the rolling white dunes. Grab the sled and some hot dogs and make a day trip out of it.


Jemez Springs 

Jemez Springs has so many adventures in one small place: lodging, campsites, hot springs, and so much more. Jemez is just a short trip northwest of ABQ, and you’ll find all the fun your family is looking for.


Carlsbad Caverns

With more than 119 different caves, the beauty and awe of the caverns cannot be beat. Learn all about the history of the caverns and enjoy a picnic on this trip about five hours from Albuquerque.


Four Corners Monument

Have you ever been in four places at once? Well, here you can! This is the spot where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet up at one exact point. Four Corners Monument is 60 miles northwest of Farmington on Hwy. 160.


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