The staff here is rude and act like they are doing you a favor by letting you pay them $20 to see a…read morefalls, the view of which is ruined by the dam, clearly built above it. I do not recommend.

BEWARE OF LONG-HAIRED WOMAN/RANGER !!! MEAN GIRL…read more Amongst other things, a simple Google search regarding Park Ranger Etiquette will reveal the following: "Park ranger etiquette emphasizes respectful interaction with visitors and wildlife, .... This includes being approachable, informative, and enforcing rules with fairness and understanding...." Here's a more detailed breakdown of park ranger etiquette: Interacting with Visitors: -Be approachable and friendly: THIS WAS NOT THE CASE! THE LONG-HAIRED RANGER PERSON/WOMAN, WAS VERY ILL-TEMPERED, IRATE, AND RUDE. THE MOST DISRESPECTFUL SERVICE ONE COULD BE GIVEN. BE CAREFUL NOT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHY YOU ARE THERE AT A PUBLIC INSTITUTION IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO BE BELITTLED, DISRESPECTED, AND ANNOYINGLY QUESTIONED OVER AND OVER AND OVER ABOUT YOUR VISIT. KINDA GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF GOOD OLD FASHIONED PREJUDICE OR EXTREMELY HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!! Google further says "Park rangers should be welcoming and helpful to all visitors, creating a positive experience in the park. Be informative and knowledgeable: Rangers should be able to answer questions about the park's history, natural features, and regulations, according to the National Park Service (.gov). -Be patient and understanding: NOT THE PENCIL HAIRED/IRATE POCAHONTAS. Visitors may not be familiar with park rules or etiquette, so rangers should explain things clearly and patiently. Be firm but fair when enforcing rules: Rangers have a responsibility to uphold park regulations for the safety and preservation of the park, but they should do so with courtesy and understanding, according to the National Park Service (.gov). Communicate effectively: Use clear and concise language, and be mindful of visitors' needs when providing information or assistance. Respecting Wildlife and the Environment: Maintain a safe distance: Park rangers should lead by example in observing wildlife from a distance and avoiding actions that could disturb them, according to CheapOair. Never feed wildlife: Rangers should educate visitors about the dangers of feeding animals and ensure that food is stored properly to prevent wildlife encounters, according to gestalten. Promote Leave No Trace principles: Rangers should encourage visitors to minimize their impact on the environment by staying on designated trails, packing out all trash, and respecting natural features, according to the National Park Service (.gov). Be aware of weather conditions: Rangers should be prepared for changing weather patterns and advise visitors on how to stay safe during storms or extreme temperatures, according to the National Park Service (.gov). General Professionalism: Maintain a professional appearance: Rangers should wear their uniforms properly and maintain a neat and tidy appearance, according to the National Park Service (.gov). Be punctual and prepared: Rangers should arrive on time for their duties and be prepared to address any issues that may arise, according to a Reddit thread. Respect park resources: Rangers should use park resources responsibly and avoid wasting time, energy, or materials, according to the National Park Service (.gov). -Be mindful of personal conduct: NOT POCAHONTAS Rangers should be aware of their actions and words, as they represent the park and its values. By adhering to these principles of etiquette, park rangers can create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable experience for all visitors while also protecting the natural and cultural resources of the park. YOU ARE LOVED AND FORGIVEN, MA'AM.

Easiest day trip everrrrr. We left Albuquerque around 7am, and pulled in around 8:10ish. We spent…read moreabout 2 hours fishing at the lake, and then drove up a few miles and found a great chill spot to fish the river the rest of the day. This is a fishing only lake, no swimming or boating, no campfires or camping allowed. Fishing licenses are required for anyone 12 years or older (if you're fishing, of course), no license required to chill. They are open 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset, and there are portable toilets on site. Owned by the Benedictine monastery, public access is leased from the monastery by the NM Dept of Game and Fish through the Open Gate Program. There is a small dirt trail around the lake, and the lake itself covers six acres and is appx. 20 feet deep. The pond is regularly stocked, and provides good handicap access. It's a nice little spot, it wasn't crowded, even the day before 4th of July, and it was truly an enjoyable morning spent.

What a fun day to go fishing or for some outdoor enrichment! If you are in the Albuquerque or the…read moresurrounding area and interested in fishing or walking around the great outdoors, Monestary Lake is a nice day trip to go check out. The the best of catch spots but serene nonetheless. Of course there is no liquor or glass items but you can bring your dog for an on leash trail walking or food for a picnic. The lake itself is small and there is a larger crowd but enough space to have some privacy but you will hear the joy from others when they catch a fish! Located in the Pecos, as you continue from Monestary Lake there are other fishing opportunities. If you are day tripping or hitting up different fishing spots to your destination, check out Monestary Lakes!

Manager doesn't know how to manage. Weeds overgrown, bathrooms trashed and full. Disgusting place…read more Don't waste your time

This is a miserable place to spend a night in the winter. Wind blows constantly and no one is…read morearound to answer questions. The gates close at 5pm so dinner out is out. Lake wa primarily clear of ice on Feb 16, 2024. No water is available in campgrounds so trek to the dump station. Overall a really crap place to stay, better off staying at a private place! You could even go out for dinner.

Pretty little lake. Great for kayaking or paddle boarding. Fission is not bad here either but it's…read moreincredibly expensive. $25 per day per person.

Great little lake with options for pedal boats, SUP boards, canoes, and kayaks with low prices…read more Wonderful area for fishing as well. We had the chance to take the SUP boards for a ride while the other half of the family were able to catch 3 beautiful 16" long rainbow trout. A family of deer came up to us and explored the lake during our time there. Steve at the office was just a ray of joy. We felt like he was part of our family during my brother's birthday trip. I hadn't been on a lake fishing since I was a kid; this experience brought back that nostalgia and I couldn't ask for more. Will definitely make the trip from Albuquerque here again :)

Beautiful place for a hike! We did the moderate level…read moreChamisa trail. It had elevation and rocky sections. Definitely not for beginners. If doing this trail, ensure you are wearing hiking shoes/boots and bring plenty of water.

(September 27):…read more What a great drive! I've always wanted to see the Fall Foliage in Santa Fe. I absolutely loved the breathtakingly refreshing views and crisp air. Every turn was better then the first and there are a few pull outs, nice to take pictures. Can't wait to go back.

Golly, what a nice state park - and what an easy drive from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe…read more Nice campsites and impeccably well kept trails. Two moderate and reasonably short trails (up the canyon sides and around on top - both under 2 miles total) and one easy one (along. the river, an out-and-back just over half a mile long). Lovely views on every trail. Nice employees. $5/car for day use. You'll fill out a ticket, stick your fiver in an envelope and shove it into one of those posts with a slit (on pain of a citation). It's well worth it. Villanueva is easily accessed from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Beyond that, follow the state park signs that are easily visible on the road and not your Google Maps if you want the least adventurous last mile on your way in (Google will cut off some driving, but you'll be on a one-lane barely improved gravel road that sometimes washes out). Bear in mind, you're climbing over sandstone and you'll want boots with ankle support and good tread for safety. You'll want to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes at the appropriate times and places and I noted a bear track today so keep your kids and dogs close. People who are freaked out by heights might not dig the views or the climb up the canyon walls, but there's no place where you're in danger of falling off. However, you're most definitely in danger of turning an ankle if you're not paying attention, so pay attention! Bonus tips: Villanueva State Park is a great place for a picnic or to bring fit tourists on a half-day adventure. Starting in Albuquerque, you can easily go out I-40 and loop back on I-25, stopping in Santa Fe for lunch or supper. Villanueva is also pretty close to Las Vegas, NM, and there are definitely things there worth checking out (and good places to eat).

Plenty of riverside parking. Natural green grapes grow. However, this a very small overall sized…read morepark

Decent little marina that carries probably everything you need for the lake here. Plus souvenir…read moreshirt and some other stuff. Some really cool crossbow. Friendly enough staff.

Ok, the other reviews are old and not so great. I can speak to this year 2018. I have spent a month…read moreup in the Eagles Nest area, I have rented boats, bought tackle and bait and just chatted with the folks who run the marina. I could be more pleased with their help and service, Renita is a very sweet lady and her son Tony was very helpful and pleasant. Nothing but a great family run business. I have been in the store when families with children were treated with great kindness and an obvious desire to see that they had a fun time on the lake. I have also seen the old timers treated just the same. Time for yelpers to bury the old owners reviews and give credit to the new folks!

Great 4x4 trail that leads up to a Beautiful mountain lake,great views. You can also hike up, its 2…read moremiles each way.If you don't have a 4x4 you can rent a jeep.The town of red river is small and also has a small ski slope for all you Texans..Not to far from anglefire and eaglesnest,taos. Theres a lot of 4x4 trails that will bring you right by old mining sites. About a 5 hour drive from Albuquerque.

Just hiked this trail today and its one of our favorites. The meadows along the way are just…read morebeautiful! You follow a stream most of the way up so it is wet with lots of vegetation so you might want to wear long pants. A few short steep sections but a great trail. The locals sometimes call this old bones trail so plan to be off the trail by 4:00 since there are mountain lions and you will sometimes see bones along the trail. There are a couple of river crossings that are a tad dicey but nothing too terrible. Take an extra pair of socks if you don't like to hike in wet ones in case you fall in.

A beautiful lake and campground. Quiet. Turquoise blue waters. Able to see deer and eagles on your…read moredrive up here. Just wish that the lake levels haven't been so low the past few years to the point where it was impossible to use the boat ramp. Also, having water close to Albuquerque is a necessity and makes the 6 hour roundtrip day trip worth it

This is a nice place to go hiking and kayaking/canoeing. There are several campgrounds in the area…read morebut most of them are closed due to Covid. The hiking and water activities is worth the trip!

Beautiful place. Cold nights year round. Nightly Frost expected even in the warmest months of summerread more

We came up here and seen the established campgrounds had already been occupied and I really wasn't…read moreinterested in camping with neighbors. We drove a little ways in and sought at a clear space, slight slope, off of a dirt road. We walked in and foraged our spot. I definitely liked what we had found and carved out as our own. We stayed here one night unfortunately, I personally would have rather we stayed another few night but the husband likes to camp lakeside and the only place to do that really is at the west neighboring el vado/heron lake. We made wonderful memories here. I would definitely come back