Manzano Mountains State Park

Manzano Mountains State Park is a 160-acre property in the eastern foothills of the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. As a fault uplift mountain range, the eastern flanks of the Manzanos are considerably less rugged that the vertical cliff faces of the western side of the range. This is an area heavily treed with Ponderosa and pinyon pines and alligator junipers. Manzano Mountains State Park is a year-round destination with extensive hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails available.

Manzano Mountains State Park offers a visitor center, group picnic shelter and 37 developed campsites, 8 of which offer electric hookups. The camping areas also have restrooms. The park also offers a centrally located RV dump station. Most folks come for the peace and quiet but they also enjoy the picnicking, wildlife watching and hiking trails.

The Manzano Mountains State Park entry gate is generally open from 7 am to 9 pm daily. To get there, go north of Mountainair on New Mexico Highway 55 (Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway) to New Mexico Highway 131. Turn west on NM 131 and proceed to the park entrance, about 16 miles northwest of Mountainair.

Fees: Day-use: $5 per vehicle; Pedestrians and bicyclists get in free. Camping: Primitive sites: $8 per site per night. Developed sites: $10 per site per night. Developed site with either electric or sewer: $14 per site per night. Developed site with both electric and sewer: $18 per site per night. Water hookups aren't always available but when they are, they're free.