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The 10 Best State Parks in New Mexico, United States
With its rich cultural heritage from Native American and Spanish settlers, New Mexico has been both a Spanish colony and a Mexican colony, and still retains a strong individual identity within the United States. The landscape is breathtaking, the food incredible, and there is a thriving cultural scene, all of which makes New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, a great place all year long.
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1. Clayton Lake State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Over 500 dinosaur footprints were discovered in this park, which brings in tourists and scientists from all over.
Reviewed By barkus1968 - Saint Louis, United States
On a solo road trip, I was stopping at state parks to eat my meals. This was a good one. I’m the middle of nowhere is hidden this reservoir. The picnic areas were good. The lake was beautiful. They had several pit toilets - but because of the virus the other restrooms were closed. I saw a lot of wildlife including Flickers and Pronghorn. The Dinosaur tracks are amazing. Worth the visit by themselves. I only spent a couple of hours wandering around the park - but loved it.
2. City of Rocks State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
One of New Mexico's most visited sights, this state park is uncommercialized and filled with strange rock formations.
Reviewed By michellebP6689DC
Beautiful rock formations,you can bike, hike,camp here,electric sites and boondocking within the rocks, vault toilets.Day use $5 camping $10 - $14 nt.Close to Faywood Hot Springs. Must see in our opinion.
3. Rockhound State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
A park full of beautiful and rare rocks and an ideal spot for the rock collector.
Reviewed By karih453 - Bend, United States
We had intended to camp here, but the pandemic changed our plans. We stayed in town and came out here for the day. We did the Jasper Trail only because it was a little too warm for us to do the Thunder Egg Trail. We found plenty of interesting rocks and plants. The views of the Florida Mts were lovely.
4. Cimarron Canyon State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Part of the 33,1160-acre Colin Neblett Wildlife Area, the largest wildlife area in the state, this state park features the soaring 400-foot granite formations known as the Cimarron Palisades.
Reviewed By suzanneh444 - Saint Augustine Beach, United States
This park is absolutely beautiful, the tall coniferous forest and the jagged rock formations make iit both beautiful, intense and breathtaking.
5. Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
This 270-acre region of riverside forest and meadows offers hiking trails along the Rio Grande River and is considered an excellent spot for birdwatching and viewing wildlife.
Reviewed By LaurettaYoung - Portland, United States
Excellent interpretive center with information about geology, flora and fauna with great gift shop. Went on some of the trails which were easy to follow down to the Rio Grande. the pond right by visitor center was full of turtles and migratory ducks and even some Sandhill Cranes landed in the nearby fields. Great way to spend a few hours learning about the area.
6. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
Reviewed By Mike5466
The people who give this place a 1 or 2 stars, just don’t understand how to get around in the badlands. You HAVE to come PREPARED if/when visiting on your own, otherwise you need to hire a guide to help you find the main attractions within a short timeframe. Many claim their GPS didn’t work here but I didn’t have any problems with connection to my phone GPS guiding me through this wonderful wilderness area. What you can see from the parking area or the road is nothing compare to what you can see if you hike. Making a loop that will take you 4-5 hours, you can see much of what the Bisti Badlands have to offer, granted you know how to read a map and use GPS locations. First thing people ask is when is the best time to visit? Spring is very windy, summer is extremely hot, fall is very wet, winter is very cold. Each season comes with its pros and cons. The roads are sand, silt, and gravel so in the wet season, they may easily be impassible. Would you prefer handling wind, heat or cold? The beauty of winter is that you don’t have to wait long for dawn and dusk, best times to take pictures since the days are short. In the summer you must get up at 4am to get setup to take a decent early morning sun picture and stay up until 9pm to take a nice sunset photo. There are compromises no matter which season you come here. It’s not like you are going to find maps or brochures at the entrance. It’s not like there are bathrooms or food stalls there either. You need to be self-contained if you plan on spending any time here. Water, food, sun protection, maps, etc. Very flat so easy to get around. Vast expanse of alien/moonlike intricate landscape. Makes you feel very small. I only saw a couple leaving the site when I arrive. Easy to be alone here… The lack of trails is what makes this so special. Explore what tickles your fancy. Get immersed in the landscape, its energy, its beauty. Not for folks who like everything done for them. It’s a TRUE WILDERNESS area, don’t expect a playground. Not for instant gratification. You must work at discovering what this amazing place has to offer. Too many folks just want everything spoon-fed to them without doing any of the work. That’s for places like Bryce, Arches, Zyon, with hordes of folks, sheep-like. Not here. You have silence, space, unknowns and must use your common sense and your brains to find treasures and enjoy them. Some folks want to mark trails so they can find their way back. If you do so, please undo those markings so others don’t have to see all the junk left behind. I unmarked many places to keep it as pristine and wild as possible. Find your way in and then out with GPS (it worked fine when I was here) and don’t leave traces behind. Many of these marks are akin to graffiti as they pile up, diverting attention from this mostly unspoiled environment. Please don’t walk on any of the formations. One of the arches is now in pieces thanks to folks climbing it. The many negative reviews of this place just show how little prepared people are. Don’t blame this amazing place for YOUR lack of preparation. This place is quite fragile, it’s a good thing not many people visit. It’s probably the only way to preserve it. Please leave it as pristine as possible for others to enjoy.
7. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Set against the west-facing escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park features scenic views from 44 campsites, historical exhibits and a fully restored 19th century ranch house. Springs from Dog Canyon support a variety of unexpected plant life on the short nature trail and for the adventurous, the Dog Canyon National Recreation Trail rises 3,100 feet in 5.5 miles. Oliver Lee's ranch house is only accessible with guided tours. Call the visitor center for the current schedule.
Reviewed By 971ginaa - Dallas, United States
Camped in a 35” motorhome. We are self-contained so cannot comment on restrooms/shower facilities. Site #2. Water and electric site – dump station on site. Love this Park, will return. Pros – - Spectacular views of the mountains and valley – gorgeous cactus landscape - Very quiet - Sites are quite spacious. - Convenient to White Sands Nat’l Park - Hiking trails in the park. Cons – - none
8. Sugarite Canyon State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By jenilamb64
I love stopping here when traveling between Wyoming and southern New Mexico! There are two campgrounds and the upper campground has a gorgeous view. Bring your own water as the water from the pumps is questionable. In the summer (when there's foliage), the camp sites are private. Sweet little trails and lakes. I like that it's a first come first serve campground rather than one in which people make online reservations. Winter camping offers solitude. Well maintained. Shower facility down the road toward town.
9. Pancho Villa State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By RVLTV
RV sites are large and most have a covered picnic table. Restroom facilities are well maintained and very clean. Loved parking in the middle of a historic military base and touring the museum. Close to Mexico and a visit to the infamous Pink Store. Several sites can be reserved, but probably not necessary most times of the year. Sites are water and electric, with a dump station in the park.
10. Eagle Nest State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By subterranean_jack
It is always an amazing sight in winter to see the lake frozen over. Worth the drive. Dress warm. An easy drive from Taos.
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