PARK DESCRIPTIONS [A-C] [D-L] [M-P] [Q-Z]

Excerpts from the 2005 New Mexico State Parks statewide brochure available for download. [New Mexico State Parks Brochure - pdf format]

Manzano Mountains State Park
Just an hour’s drive from Albuquerque, the park offers opportunities to hike, watch wildlife or just relax with the family. Open April 1-Oct. 31, the park is home to about 200 species of birds, including mountain bluebirds, warbling vireos, hummingbirds, jays and hawks.

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is a remnant of riverside woodland and restored wetland along the Rio Grande. This park is a haven for migratory birds and for people seeking walking trails and quiet enjoyment of nature. Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is designed as a day-use park for walkers, bicyclists and wildlife watchers.

Morphy Lake State Park
Surrounded by mountains at 8,000 feet, this park is a great spot for primitive camping, fishing, hiking and wildlife watching. There are no utilities or drinking water at the park, which is open April 1-Oct. 31. The lake is stocked with trout, and no-wake restrictions make it ideal for canoes and kayaks.

Navajo Lake State Park
New Mexico’s second-largest state park offers excellent year-round boating, fishing and camping in three recreation areas. Pine River is the most developed area. Across the lake, the Sims Mesa area is accessible by N.M. 527. Both areas have developed campgrounds, full-service marinas and visitor centers with educational exhibits. The San Juan River area below the dam is recognized worldwide for its trophy trout fishing and includes a developed campground and wheelchair-accessible fishing facilities.

Oasis State Park
A true oasis in the grassy plains of Eastern New Mexico, the park is home to tall cottonwoods, shifting sand dunes and a bright blue-green fishing pond stocked with catfish and trout. The family-oriented park has plenty of camping and picnicking sites and several hiking trails.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Set against the west-facing escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains, the park features historical exhibits and a fully restored 19th century ranch house. Springs from Dog Canyon support a variety of unexpected plant life, including maidenhair fern and wild orchids. There are plenty of campsites and hardy hikers can tackle the 5 -mile Dog Canyon trail, which rises about 3,100 feet and offers spectacular views of the Tularosa Basin and Lincoln National Forest.

Pancho Villa State Park
This park commemorates March 9, 1916, the day Francisco “Pancho” Villa’s troops attacked the border town of Columbus, N.M., and the U.S. military incursion into Mexico that followed. The park visitor center is home to artifacts, historic photos and exhibits describing the events. The park also has extensive cactus gardens, a pleasant campground and good bird watching.

Percha Dam State Park
Set in the deep shade of towering cottonwoods, the park features fishing, hiking and camping along the Rio Grande. Birdwatchers are thrilled by the numbers and varieties of species that call the park home, especially in the winter when ducks, geese, sandhill cranes and herons visit the park.

To learn more about New Mexico State Parks, visit them online, www.nmparks.com.