New Mexico State Parks and Monuments

New Mexico has quite a number of truly beautiful state parks. While most state parks are centered around lakes and aquatic activities, some state parks are in the mountains, some among the enchanted mesas and at least one is in the eastern grasslands. Then there's the state parks and state monuments that preserve and commemorate historic and cultural sites and events, such as Pancho Villa State Park, site of the famous Pancho Villa raid on southern New Mexico back in 1916. And there's also the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in Albuquerque with its' visitor center displays and three-mile nature walk along the river, totally surrounded by the city. New Mexico's State Parks offer something for everyone.

• Bluewater Lake State Park - 2,350 acres with campsites, visitor center and fishing for rainbow trout and catfish. Southwest of Prewitt, I-25 exit 63 to NM 412. 505-876-2391
• Bottomless Lakes State Park - Paddleboat rentals, non-motorized boating, swimming, hiking, fishing, camping, showers, and bathrooms. 12 miles east of Roswell on NM 409. 505-624-6058
• Brantley Lake State Park - 2,800 acre lake. Camping, fishing, picnicking. 12 miles north of Carlsbad on US 285. 505-457-2384
• Caballo Lake State Park - 11,000 acres. Bass, crappie, catfish and walleye fishing, visitor center, campsites, showers, picnicking, boat launch sites. I-25 exit 63. 505-743-3942
• Cimarron Canyon State Park - Rainbow and brown trout fishing, campsites, and the Cimarron Palisades: 400-foot high crenellated granite formations. US 64 between Eagle Nest and Cimarron. 505-377-6271
• City of Rocks State Park - Volcanic rocks (up to 50-feet high) from centuries-old lava flow. Botanical garden, visitor center, campsites, showers. Off NM 61. 505-536-2800
• Clayton Lake State Park - Boating and fishing from March to October. Camping, hiking, picnicking, dinosaur tracks. 12 miles northwest of Clayton. 505-374-8808
• Conchas Lake State Park - Fishing for bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye and catfish. Campsites, visitor center. Conchas. 505-868-2270
• Coronado State Monument - Museum, gallery with kiva paintings and the Kuaua Pueblo ruins, with a self-guided trail and a riverwalk overlooking the Rio Grande. Camping is nearby. Northwest of Bernalillo on US 550. 505-867-5351
• Coyote Creek State Park - Fishing, campsites and picnicking on NM 434. 505-387-2328
• Eagle Nest Lake State Park - Waterfowl and eagle viewing, boating, fishing and picnicking. NM 64 near Eagle Nest. 505-377-6271
• El Vado Lake State Park - Camping, fishing, boat docks. Southwest of Tierra Amarilla on NM 112. 505-588-7247
• Elephant Butte Lake State Park - 40,000 acres. Fishing for stripers, walleye, catfish, bass, crappie, white and black bass. Visitor center, water sports, nature trails, campsites. 505-744-5421
• Fenton Lake State Park - Camping, fishing and picnicking. 19 miles northwest of Jemez Springs on NM 126. 505-829-3630
• Fort Selden State Monument - The remains of a 19th century adobe fort. Living history encampments and demonstrations, self-guided tours, visitor center. Closed Tuesdays. North of Las Cruces, I-25 exit 19 then NM 185. 505-526-8911
• Fort Sumner State Monument - In the 1860's, this was the site of the Navajo and Apache confinement. The grave of Billy the Kid is also here. East of Fort Sumner and south on Billy the Kid Road. 505-355-2573
• Heron Lake State Park - 6,000 acres. Fishing, sailing, windsurfing, marina, campsites, visitor center. West of Tierra Amarilla. 505-588-7470
• Hyde State Park - Group shelters and campsites, hiking trails. Northeast of Santa Fe on NM 475. 505-983-7175
• Jemez State Monument - 17th century mission ruins and a 14th century pueblo. Jemez Springs on NM 4. 505-829-3530
• Leasburg Dam State Park - Fishing, swimming, campsites, playground, showers. Radium Springs at exit 19 off the I-25. 505-524-4068
• Lincoln State Monument and National Landmark - Museums, restored frontier town, site of the 1878 Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid's last escape. Lincoln. 505-653-4372
• Manzano Mountains State Park - Camping. Northwest of Mountainair on NM 55. 505-847-2820
• Morphy Lake State Park - Fishing, picnicking, camping. South of Mora off NM 94. 505-387-2328
• Navajo Lake State Park - Camping, boating, visitor center, and fishing for trout, kokanee salmon, crappie, bass, catfish and northern pike. This large lake includes the Sims Mesa, Pine and San Juan River recration areas. East of Aztec. 505-632-2278
• Oasis State Park - Bird watching, fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, playground. North of Portales. 505-356-5331
• Pancho Villa State Park - Site of Camp Furlong and of the March 9, 1916 raid by Pancho Villa. Visitor center with 61 campsites and a botanical garden. Columbus. 505-531-2711
• Percha Dam State Park - Camping, showers, fishing, picnicking. 22 miles south of the I-25 at exit 59. 505-743-3942
• Red Rock State Park - Visitor center, campsites, Heritage Canyon display. North of I-40 at exit 31. 505-722-3839
• Rio Grande Nature Center State Park - Flora and fauna exhibits, native plant garden, visitor center, 3-mile hiking trail, and migratory bird sanctuary. 2901 Candelaria NW in Albuquerque. 505-344-7240
• Rock Hound State Park - Visitor center with campsites. Visitors are allowed to leave with up to 15 pounds of rocks. Southeast of Deming on NM 141. 505-546-6182
• Santa Rosa Lake State Park - Eagle sighting, campsites, visitor center, with fishing for bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. North of Santa Rosa on NM 91. 505-472-3110
• Smokey Bear Historical State Park - The visitors center and Smokey's grave are only open on weekends. 118 Smokey Bear Blvd, Capitan. 505-354-2748
• Storrie Lake State Park - Picnicking, camping, water skiing, windsurfing, boating, fishing, visitor center. Reservations taken. North of Las Vegas on NM 518. 505-425-7278
• Sugarite Canyon State Park - Campsites, showers, lake, visitor center, hiking, and historic exhibits. Northeast of Raton on NM 526. 505-445-5607
• Sumner Lake State Park - Water sports, fishing, campsites. Northwest of Fort Sumner on NM 203. 505-355-2541
• Ute Lake State Park - Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking. Near Logan off US 54. 505-487-2284
• Villanueva State Park - Camping, picnicking, fishing, visitor center. Near Villanueva, north of I-25 exit 230. 505-421-2957