¡This fantastic state park is such a great/inexpensive place to overnight! On 01SEP2023, I cycled my "FrankenBike" ~90miles/144kms from the Eastside of El PasoTX to ColumbusNM (¡both locations share the border and populations with MAGNIFICENT MEXICO!) with the intent of overnighting at an electric site (so I can recharge the eBatteries)--something I had done four years prior with my first excellent eBikeKit.com assisted CruzBike (model S40). Anyway, after successfully arriving in Columbus and enjoying a much-needed replenishment/rehydration at Borderland Cafe, I quickly repeated my long ago action. I secured the closest electric site #14, plugged in my heavy duty cord & three chargers, put $14 cash into the pay pipe envelope and settled onto my Z-rest for a pleasant night under slightly cloudy skies. These scraggly clouds barely contained the brilliantly full super "blue" Moon!
One major difference was that the septic system was under repair, thus the excellent water closet were replaced by well-stocked/clean portapotties. I found the grounds & displays adequate and had no need enter the museum--my focus was to keep on cycling, as I anticipated a biketour through 2-countries/5-states. However, nutritional needs to cycle the second morning we're not from my usual brekkie stop, Irma's Cafe. I met her as she was leaving to visit family in Arizona, but she easily directed me to the American Legion Post 1916. There, I enjoyed a full bacon & eggs brekkie/coffee/juice/toast/muffin for only $7usd!
Unfortunately, I was at my next destination 45-miles/72-kms further West on NM9 (Columbus Road) in HachitaNM when "mechanical issues" (flat tyre) began to make me re-think my biketour. In fact, because I had only carried two new tubes/tire, my concern was getting stuck somewhere really remote (¡and there is a LOT of desolate territory out here in the "¡Hidden Gem of the World, Crossroads of North America, anchored by El Paso, Cd. Juárez y Las Cruces!") that I decided to retrace my route back to El Paso, overnighting again at electrical site #14. Since it was Labor Day Monday, no eateries were open and neither was the gas station. My problem was needing clean/freshwater, and that was questionable here at the park. To say the least, I was deeply appreciative of the Dollar Store, where I bought two gallons of bottled water, along with several "lunchables" that would keep my energy going on the 90-mile/144-kms return. [¡Sadly, I had a second blowout partway into Doña Ana County, and had to be rescued by my much-better half!]
It goes without writing much more what a great overnight this park and community make for travellers. It definitely has my coveted "iWheel of Approval!" read more