While traveling this summer through my home state, I briefly stopped at Coyote Creek State Park in…read moreMora, NM. On August 2, 2026, at mid morning it was quite warm. In the low 80s already. That would probably be the only aspect keeping me from camping here. This park consists of 462 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Amenities that I noticed and researched after my visit: Campgrounds: + Online reservation available for several sites + ADA sites available + Electric and non-electric RV sites available + Cabins + Restrooms & showers + Group picnic shelter & camping Other information I read mentioned the wildlife viewing, birding, and hiking opportunities. While my dog and I paused here, it was so peaceful and serene. I'm a fan. Works Cited https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/coyote-creek-state-park/

Oh snap its still good!! No its halfway frozen right now but come back when it just starts to…read morewarm up ..love this pond..

Cimarron Canyon State Park is just a bit east of Eagle Nest, NM…read more Wow, was this beautiful, cooler weather country on August 1, 2026. My old man was driving so of course we didn't stick around long. Lol. I could definitely see myself spending time camping, hiking, and fishing in this area in the future. The river that flows through is the Cimarron. So I did some research... This is mostly dry camping country. I found nothing for RV hookups in this area. There were... + 4 campgrounds (including 94 sites) + reservations accepted + day use areas + angler parking sites + trailheads and canyon trails (hopefully clearly marked) + wildlife management areas + special trout waters + vault toilets + modern restrooms + picnic tables and grills + water hydrants This truly is the Land of Enchantment. Pack it in, pack it out - don't let your friends be litterbugs. I highly recommend you call 575-377-6271 or navigate their website for park alerts before heading there. https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/cimarron-canyon-state-park/

So it's a dry camp. No water. No showers. Gray water dump by hand only. No black water dump. No…read moreelectrical. It's still way better than most RV campgrounds with full hookups. This is why I go camping. Scenery, ample space between the campsites, nice cool weather. It would be a bargain for 5 times the nightly rate. Just don't tell the state of New Mexico.

The Ranger was friendly! $20 per car, cash or card. The hike trails are both about 1/4 of a mile…read more Prepare to get your shoes and legs wet if you go through the bottom trail. Top trail has a few steep sections. We spent a little over an hour (hiking both trails). Got some good pictures and enjoyed nature!

This waterfall blew my mind! I didn't know that such a large waterfall existed in NM! I'm so glad…read morewe hiked it, and I'll be back! The water was pretty frigid, but still fun!

Love the kids fishing pond. Not only is this place educational and cool to see all the fish but the…read morechildren/over 65 pond was such a blast to fish with my four-year-old. It was never super busy and it was great experience so much so that we came back a few times on our vacation. Highly recommend

This was a cool free spot for the group to check out after a 2 hour horseback riding trip nearby…read more I've never seen a fish hatchery before so I thought it was pretty neat! They had a mini exhibit in a couple of buildings to show how fish eggs are laid, hatched, and fish are grown.

Rio Grande Del Norte is vast-there are many different areas to explore and various corners of this…read morenational monument that range from moderately trafficked to fairly remote. Taos.org has a great summary page of the different areas. https://taos.org/explore/landmarks/rio-grande-del-norte-national-monument/ I had done some further research after this overview and opted to visit the Wild Rivers area in the morning and the Rio Grande Gorge area later in the day after lunch back in Taos. Wild Rivers is about 50 minutes from Taos but a scenic drive. Once you are in the public lands, the scenery gets more and more amazing. In the Wild Rivers area, there's a visitor center (currently only open on weekends), a scenic byway with overlooks, campgrounds and hiking trails that take you down to the river. I opted to do the trail to Big Arsenic Springs. The byway was very well signed and there's day use parking that does have a self paid fee. Since it's a BLM administered park (federal) you can instead display your America the Beautiful National Parks pass. Amazing scenery of the river and surrounding canyons along the petroglyphs towards the end of the Big Arsenic trail. The hike I opted for was short (2.5 miles but with an 800 ft elevation gain on the way back up from the river.) The park does an amazing job maintaining the trails and the well graded switchbacks made it a pleasant hike. On the drive out, after my hike, I stopped at other scenic view points. Later in the day, I visited another section of the park, closer to Taos where you can walk across and take in vistas of the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. If you're visiting Taos and love the outdoors, a visit to this park is a must. It's quieter than your typical national parks with fewer amenities but still an awe inspiring outdoor adventure (without the crowds!)

We took an hour walk on the West Rim Trail that's part of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument…read morewhile visiting the Rio Grande bridge in late May 2023. The trail starts right at the parking lot and it's beautiful. Gorgeous views of the river too. Many bunnies that day.

Beautiful, small sparkling lake with folks fishing, walkers walking 3 short paths around the lake…read more Tranquil.

I had a little time to kill while waiting to check in at the Questa Lodge and RV park so I stopped…read moreby this lake to chill a bit. This is a nice little place that seems to be popular with the locals. Quite a few people fishing, mostly families with kids. Didn't see anyone actually catching any fish but they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. It's a well-worn park and the vault toilets were pretty disgusting. Some trash along the banks but for the most part it looks like there is at least the attempt to keep the park clean. A nice walk around the lake only takes about 15 minutes at a slow pace. There are picnic tables and a number of places to hang out in the shade. Worth stopping by.

My most recent bucket list adventure was fly fishing in New Mexico. Not to be disappointed I called…read moreand spoke to Van Beacham the man that literally wrote the book 'Fly Fishers Guide to New Mexico'. 575-758-5653. Van set me up with the most patient and and learned instructor for all ages and abilities in Mr. Conner Cooper who is also a middle school teacher of social studies and art and history, play by ear musician, (Upright Bass) and classically trained artist at the Pratt Institute in NYC, and UNM adjunct professor, originally hails from Amarillo, Texas (I knew I liked him for a reason) and now living in New Mexico of course. He has been to Argentina 4 times fly fishing and has studied the fly casting techniques of Joan Wulff ,who at 21 years in 1951, she became the first woman in history to win the Fisherman's Distance Event, casting 131 feet against all-male competition, a truly remarkable achievement. I had only fly fished for Bass in stock ponds or "tanks" as we call them in Texas and had a self taught fly casting technique about as rough as Park road 102 in Kit Carson national forest. (You better have Jeep if you want to try that one. Glad we did cause I told my wife it was short cut, got in trouble for the underestimation of comfort even a Grand Cherokee can provide) What you will learn is the "DRIFT" how to place cast, the power snap, , the double haul and other techniques (don't expect to master these right away it does a bit a bit practice but no worries you not be casting but a few feet most of the time, and to use the correct amount of line, the correct stroke, to use the lanes or clock approach to covering a body of water and rising the line as it comes towards you while only keeping just enough line in the water so your fly or nymph does not speed to fast because you had too much line in the water. Et al. It is those little things that make the difference. It is all about finesse fishing. The art and beauty of the presentation of a perfectly placed lure that nets a catch. Ah.... the essence of the physical beauty of the stroke up and then wait for it then forward right into the lair of the waiting trout! It is truly a gift of motion and fishing and surroundings and the air, the place, the drive in, lunch in the open air, even bottled water tastes better for some reason, the knowledgeable guide, all the tiny techniques if you listen to Conner no matter what you think know about fly fishing, peace and be still and listen to make you a better fisherman a better person, patience enhanced human that takes the day back to the family and celebrates the event as it relates in some way to some area of your life. Look for it and you will find how it has that meaning. WOW - you got all that out of a guide fly fishing day. Yes and more. A lifetime memory that cannot easily be diminished all to the thanks of Conner Cooper teacher of young minds, musician, artist, fly fishing guide extraordinaire. Do yourself a favor. If you have not fly fished and want a guide with the patients of Job (and I don't mean Dr. Job) that can put you on the fish here is the man, the legend, outstanding in the field (but will come inside for dinner) the one, the only Conner Cooper.

If I could give six stars I would - we fished the Holy Waters with Rick today! It was my first time…read morefly fishing and Rick was so patient with me, funny, and just a blast to hang out with!! I can't wait to go fishing with him again!!!

We needed to rent equipment for a weekend float down the El Chama and had a fantastic experience…read morewith Taos Raft and Kayak Rentals. The equipment was in great condition and we had no issues with any of the gear. I also really appreciated how much gear was provided. Many rental places I've used in the past only provide the kayak, lifevest, and oar while Taos Raft and Kayak Rentals provided everything needed for a successful trip including throw bags, tie downs, helmets, patch kits, ect. Service was also very flexible with several pickup or delivery options and communications were detailed and fast. Not to mention, the price is tough to beat. I would definitely use Taos Raft and Kayak Rentals again in the future.

From the owner: Taos Raft & Kayak Rentals is a rental service that delivers rafts, inflatable kayaks, and essential…read morecamping gear to customers at their home, vacation rental, lake, or river. We deliver quality gear at discount prices for people who want to float down the river or fish a lake on their own.

Now this was my by far favorite hike/picnic in New Mexico…read more On the way from Valles Caldera to Santa Fe, we noticed few cars parked on the side off NM State Highway 4. I read about this trailhead but was also sure we'll probably miss it since location was not very detailed. There are two smaller parking areas (both on the left side of the road if you're driving to Santa Fe) and they fill out fast. This trailhead provides access to the East Fork Jemez River and views of lush meadows, gorgeous wildflowers and animals on the way. The trail is rated as easy for the first 2 miles and than moderate for the rest of the way to the East Fork Trailhead ( 5 miles). We only walked 1.5 miles, took some food with us and had a lunch on the banks of the East Fork Jemez River. It was mesmerizing. I wish we had more time to walk the whole trail, maybe some other time.