I discovered Elephant Butte because of driving back to Tucson, AZ from Albuquerque, NM…read more We decided to stop by even with the pups and was pleasantly surprised. This lake is actually quite large with lots of camping areas on and off the beach. You just pay the small fee and can drive anywhere your car allows. They have port a potties located on the beach and more areas off the beach with restrooms. They also have a large boat section. "Elephant Butte Lake can accommodate watercraft of many styles and sizes: kayaks, jet skis, pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers, and houseboats." - http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/elephantbuttelakestatepark.html If you're traveling or want to travel I would recommend this place because it does look very nice for a weekend get a way or even just a day pass.

This is the camp attached to the dam area. plenty of…read moreparking and clean restrooms and portables I didn't see any water fountains. i attached a pic of water level 5 years ago.

Great White Bass fishing. The lake is very shallow in the north end which makes it great for shore…read morefishing or even a kayak.

Not super clean but adequate for swimming in summer months. You can rent boats year round for…read morefishing and sight seeing. They have a mix of sandy and rocky beaches so during peak months you better get there early to snag a good spot to set up! The drive is only 90 minutes from El Paso making it the shortest distance to water! Overall enjoyable and we will be back every year without a doubt.

Just after entering town from the south you will notice a very tall and proud American Flag on the…read moreright. Slow down and contemplate the fact that we are free only because of the brave. This memorial area is worth a visit. Maybe because I am a combat veteran I feel more emotionally invested in any Veterans Park or museum, but I encourage everyone to take a little time every now and then to remember why our country is what it is today. Regardless of political affiliation, all our freedoms come from the same place. The museum here is small but packed full of uniforms and individual's personal history from all major wars and conflicts. The park outside has a replica Vietnam Veterans Wall. There is a history walk. Then there is that large, beautiful flag pole. Pull in.

The park portion is clean and well maintained. There is a path you follow, with plaques along the…read moreway that represent each war in which the US was engaged. Each plaque has information on the war and a few statistics. Inside, the museum is well laid out, has a lot of items of interest and information. A lot of authentic uniforms from the past. This is a very nice museum and grounds.

in New Mexico i've visited the site on February twenty first and twenty second of this year , 2026…read more Established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico was created to protect, restore, and provide a vital migratory stopover for sandhill cranes, geese, and ducks. Spanning 57,331 acres (30 000 are wilderness), the area has a deep history, having been a home to the Piro people and later named for the Apache tribes that used the riverside forest. The name means "woodland of the Apache" in Spanish, acknowledging the region's historical use by Prior to the 1600s, the Piro people lived in the area, with archeological sites like Qualu indicating substantial early settlements. The area was part of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior Land), with Spanish caravans passing through the vicinity. It's not too far from the Salinas missions. The refuge was officially established in 1939 to conserve migratory birds, particularly after populations had dwindled due to habitat loss. It is famous for playing a critical role in the recovery of the sandhill crane population and serves as a winter home for thousands of waterfowl. It has become an income producer for the hotels. RV's parks and restaurants in the area. It helps rural New Mexico, like many parks in the country, help rural areas. Rep. Vasquez, a New Mexico Congressman stated the consequences of the cancellation of the annual Festival of the Cranes, a major cultural and economic event that typically brings $2 to $3 million in revenue to Socorro County and contributes to the refuge's broader $15.8 to $17 million annual economic impact to the rural area. Like most parks , it's hanging on having had its funding gutted by the recent federal government. Sadly , it's going from forty five staff to ten , which includes several volunteers. There's only two staff assigned to the water management of the wetlands now. They've been able to keep the Visitor Center open with volunteers and a staff member. as it helps provide information and some income from souvenirs. Quite frankly , it almost makes me weep with the amount of intentional destruction that the federal government caused. That's my opinion and I hope and pray that they'll survive to have some funding restored.

The park can see lot of snow geese and sandhill cranes. But at 7am, the temperature only 21degree…read more If you like to watching or taking pictures, you will not be disappointed in here. It is a good place to watch migration. Birds in February.

This is a nice dog park. My pup really enjoyed stretching his legs and playing with other pups. No…read morewater available??

This is not a very large park, but they have runs for both big and small dogs. When traveling from…read moreFlorence AZ to Alb NM this was a nice stop along the way to let the three campers out for a stretch. There is more dirt than grass here, so your puppets may come away dirty but they'll be happy for a break from the road.

We were in a motorhome with electric and water hookups, spaces between each site are wide and…read moreroomy, clean bathrooms and showers, so quite and peaceful lots of walking trails and birds even saw pelicans! Great place for families with children or just sitting outside and enjoying doing nothing the camp hosts Kathy and Billy were fantastic we are definitely putting this on our coming list

This is a gorgeous state Park with very nice large sites. We are in Palomino Loop which is high and…read moreoverlooks Caballo Lake. There are hiking trails all over, a boat launch, and beach areas on the water. We will be kayaking once the sun comes back out. Will definitely stay here again.

This was a destination day for us from Silver City. 2 hours plus one way…read more Well worth it. Built with stone and mud and still standing. They lived in the natural caverns that they walled in. And then divided again into rooms or areas connected by openings. One picture is a remaining crib to retain cultivated corn, now all husks. But corn then was small, about the size of a first finger. The area parallels a flowing creek that supported a clan group of about 60. They walled it in over 5 years and remained about 30 years until the 24 year drought and left as a group. This is only for public guests that can walk and climb. A free day. Uneven terrain and at least 3 ladders to peer into a room or living Area Excellent 1/2 day.

If you're on a motorcycle it's worth heading up here for the roads alone! Lots of endless curves…read morebut keep your speed reasonable though and watch out for cows, deer, and javelinas along the way because there are plenty of them around, even on the road around many corners waiting to take you out. There is also no cell service on the way up here. The scenery is amazing though! Once you get here, there is a small museum attached to the visitor center, and clean restrooms available. The girl working at the visitor center was very friendly and knowledgeable about the ruins, as well as being able to direct you to the best paths around.

All it was an amazing sight of Gods handiwork I would recommend it to anyone who loves the rock…read moreformations !

Absolutely beautiful views and a great experience! We would say an easy to moderate hike.read more

A very nice, albeit small park to Remember the fallen from wars, conflicts and attacks all around…read morethe world and the nation. The display here and the additional display in the Mimbres Museum cause a lot of reflection about our history and those who got us to where we are. I pause at length and I am very grateful to be here.

My better half and I wanted a daytrip by motorcar, and the initial plan was to hike in the Spring…read moreCanyon-Rockhound State Park area. To obtain more information, we needed to stop at the valuable visitor's center first. There, the woman in charge, Brandy, gave us a plethora of information but urged us to visit this dynamic museum first to get a more well-rounded understanding of the area. It was easy to find--the classical structure is a former armory & home of the New Mexico National Guard. Following the posted directions, we entered this building from an easy ramp down, through the door into a brightly lit space. Immediately, we were greeted by the caretakers who gave us a map and ushered us on into the displays, saying "Everything here has been donated." What an amazing array of donated history, made even more impressive with how it had been arranged--not a bit of space was wasted, even items hanging from the ceiling. Yet it was not chaotic or did anything seem out of place--very impressive. I was particularly interested in the military room, specifically with the Norden Bombsight, which was noted in "Unbroken". Another area of great interest was the lace & quilt room on the second floor (take and elevator or steps with good handrails), where the word "TAT" has an exact meaning related to the intricate patterns formed in delicate lacework. I work with numerous high school students about where they see their future, and a some of them are quite interested in working "tat" or "tattoo". Now I'll be able to give them a bit of a connection, that "tat" also describes very precise clothwork, which looks like skin tats. Anyway, this museum is FANTASTIC and free; run by volunteers and donations. We both made deposits in the box. Adjacent to the building is the Veterans' Park, especially for the Bataan Death marchers who came out of Luna County; these, along with other military members are remembered and honored. I was impressed with one of the armaments on display is a "touch" unit, and saw a pair of children sitting in the bombing seat of a howitzer. Ironic that in war/combat, it is an instrument of death; but here in a small space of honor, it is an instrument of joy, delight, & distraction. I loved it. This is certainly 5-star, and gets my "Wheel of Approval!"

One of the most beautiful parks in area. Bridge is high over the narrow river. Peaceful and lush…read more Next to the Visitor Center.

A very nice improved path with several bridges crossing over the stream…read more Easy access to downtown and the visitor center as well as restaurants and shops. My two sons and I spent hours walking the trails and reading the graffiti. It's an easy way to kill time while exercising.