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Horses & Facilities in New Mexico State Parks
Bluewater Lake State Park
3,000 acres of wilderness is situated on the north flank of the Zuni Mountains.
Horseback riding is allowed is the park.
Trails: There is no designated horse trails.
Camping: Horseback riding and camping is allowed in Section 4 of the NW quadrant on the Prewitt side of the lake in areas 10 feet away from the water. There is boarding location outside the park, across the main gate.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas: None
Contact: 505-876-2391
Bottomless Lakes State Park
Trails:
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas: For safety reasons, horses are prohibited at Lazy Lagoon.
Contact: 575-624-6058
Notice: Contact the park manager for approval
Brantley Lake State Park
Trails: One developed trail that allows horseback riding on; 2 miles long.
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in the primitive camping areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-457-2384
Other: Immediate cleanup of your horse is mandatory. You must bring rakes, shovels and bags. No flake hays allowed in park. You must feed pellets or other bagged feed.
Bring your own water. No swimming of horses allowed in the lake.
Caballo Lake State Park
Trails: Trails are within park boundaries with trail head starting due west of horse corrals at the Pipeline Trail and head North. Trail maps at Visitor Center
Camping: Horses allowed at horse corrals with camping allowed near horse corrals
Facilities: Three horse corrals w/ 2 tack rooms and shared water hydrant. Two shelters w/ shared water, tables and fire pits
Prohibited Areas: Horseback riding is limited to trails only. No horseback riding signs are posted throughout Upper Flats Campground
Contact: 575-743-3942
Other: Please pickup after your animals. Shovels and wheel barrows may be provided by park management. All waste must be removed from corrals to on site pit that is available.
Cerrillos Hills State Park
Trails: 5 miles of horse trail among rolling juniper savanna.
Camping: No overnight stays.
Facilities: Hitching posts and horse trailer parking.
Prohibited Areas: Don’t go off trail.
Contact: 505-474-0196
Other: If you don’t own a horse you can hire a guide at Broken Saddle.
Cimarron Canyon State Park
Trails: Trails are not within the park boundaries, but all trail heads start at the bottom of the canyon and go into the Colin Neblett Wildlife area. The Tolby trailhead is on the south side of the Tolby Campground across highway 64. The Maverick Trailhead is just east of the Maverick campground on the north side of highway 64.
Camping: Horses cannot be kept at the campsites. Riders are only allowed to mount or dismount saddles/packs. All animals are to be kept in provided corrals overnight. NO camping near corrals.
Facilities: There are two pipe corrals at the Tolby Canyon trailhead and near the Maverick campground across Highway 64.
Prohibited Areas: Trails (only Tolby and Maverick) are closed spring to mid summer for Elk calving season, contact NM Game and Fish, www.wildlife.state.nm.us
Contact: 575-377-6271
Clayton Lake State Park
Trails:
Camping: Horses allowed in primitive areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-374-8808
Coyote Creek State Park
Horses are allowed in the park.
Trails:
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-387-2328
Eagle Nest Lake State Park
Trails: The Lake View Trail (North Section) and Eagle Nest Lake Trail (South Section)
Camping: No overnight camping, check Cimarron Canyon State Park for camping with horse.
Facilities:Horse trailer parking in Cieneguillaarea
Prohibited Areas: Campground. (Cimmarron Canyon State Parks is recommended for camping)
Contact: 575-377-1594
Other:Please advise the lake water may contain Blue Green Algae and is not recommend to water horses.
El Vado Lake State Park
Trails: Horses are allowed at the north area near the trail head.
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact:
Fenton Lake State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is allowed in designates areas which do include the park roads that lead to the forest service trails.
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact:
Oasis State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is allowed in Park. Please call ahead of arrival
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas (Tent Sites 1-4)
Facilities: Horse Trailer Parking & water hydrants at designated campsites
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-356-5331
Other: Please promptly clean you after yourselves and horses.
Santa Rosa Lake State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is allowed in the northern corner of the park.
Camping: No overnight stays
Facilities: One water hydrant and two 10′ pipe corrals.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-472-3110
Sugarite Canyon State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is allowed at the park with exceptions.
Camping: Only at the Soda Pocket campground. Horses must be kept in the corrals provided. There are only
4 available, so reservations are suggested.
Facilities: Yes, 4 corrals are available
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-445-5607
Sumner Lake State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is allowed in the Alamogordo Creek campground which is located on the east side
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in primitive areas
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 505-355-2541
Ute Lake State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is allowed at the Mine Canyon area and at Rogers Camp area.
Camping: Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 505-487-2284
Villanueva State Park
Trails: Horseback riding is permitted at the upper mesa area
Camping: Camping with horses is allowed at the primitive camping area at site 3A.
Facilities: None.
Prohibited Areas:
Contact: 575-421-2957
Overnight Stays Only
No Riding
Caballo Lake
Conchas Lake
Heron Lake
Hyde Memorial
Leasburg Dam
Storrie Lake
Overnight Stays & Riding
In Designated Areas
Bottomless Lakes
Brantley Lake
Clayton Lake
Coyote Creek
El Vado
Fenton Lake
Manzano Mountains
Oasis
Sumner Lake
Ute Lake
Villanueva
Riding
No Overnight Stays
Bluewater Lake
Cerrillos Hills
Horses
NOT allowed
City of Rocks
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
Navajo Lake
Oliver Lee Memorial
Pancho Villa
Rio Grande Nature Center
Rockhound
Bluewater Lake
Bottomless Lakes
Brantley Lake
Caballo Lake
Cerrillos Hills
Cimarron Canyon
City of Rocks State Park
Clayton Lake
Conchas Lake
Coyote Creek
Eagle Nest Lake
Elephant Butte Lake
El Vado Lake
Fenton Lake
Heron Lake
Hyde Memorial
Leasburg Dam
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
Manzano Mountains
Mesilla Valley Bosque
Morphy Lake
Navajo Lake
Oasis
Oliver Lee Memorial
Pancho Villa
Pecos Canyon
Percha Dam
Rio Grande Nature Center
Rockhound
Santa Rosa Lake
Storrie Lake
Sugarite Canyon
Sumner Lake
Ute Lake
Villanueva
LOCATIONS
Bluewater Lake
- Park Elevation: 7,554 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This serene lake, located 25 miles west of Grants, is set in a pinon-juniper landscape with views towards the Zuni Mountains. The park offers camping, hiking, birding, horseback riding and fishing. And not just any fishing – you’ll find some of the best tiger muskie fishing at Bluewater Lake!
Bottomless Lakes
- Park Elevation: 3,617 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Located just 14 miles southeast of Roswell, Bottomless Lakes State Park is your place for bottomless fun! Enjoy non-motorized boating in your kayak or canoe, camp, fish, picnic, swim, hike, go birding or even scuba dive! The unique lakes at this park are sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep. The greenish-blue color created by aquatic plants is what gives the lakes the illusion of great depth.
Brantley Lake
- Park Elevation: 3,295 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The southernmost lake in New Mexico is an oasis of water, wildlife, plant life, gorgeous sunsets and stunning night skies. Located twelve miles North of Carlsbad, NM, the park offers boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking trails, exceptional bird watching, developed and primitive campsites and restrooms with showers. Whether you’re picnicking for the day, or camping in your RV for a week, you’ll be sure to find adventure at Brantley Lake State Park!
Caballo Lake
- Park Elevation: 4,447 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Framed against the Caballo Mountains, this lake boasts an array of water recreation, such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, and fishing. Choose from 170 campsites, with plenty of sites with utility hookups for RVs. There’s just as much to do off the water while hiking, horseback riding, birding, and picnicking.
Cerrillos Hills
- Park Elevation: 5,900 - 6,100 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Cerrillos Hills, New Mexico's 34th State Park, is a year-round, day-use park located off the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. You will cross paths with over 1,100 years of mining history along the five miles of trails and enjoy spectacular views of the Sandia, Ortiz, Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo Mountain Ranges.
Cimarron Canyon
- Park Elevation: 7,876 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The Cimarron River flows through this narrow, forested canyon, located near Eagle Nest on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The park offers beautiful views, interesting geology, quiet camping, fly fishing, hiking, and equestrian trails. The wildlife viewing opportunities are amazing, as the park sits at the center of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area.
City of Rocks
- Park Elevation: 5,259 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- City of Rocks gets its name from the incredible volcanic rock formations found here. The park encompasses a one square mile area in the scenic Chihuahuan desert region of southwestern New Mexico at an elevation of 5,200 feet. The “city” is a geologic formation made up of large, sculptured rock
columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets.
These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago when a very large volcano erupted. Then, erosion over millions of years slowly formed the sculptured columns seen today, creating a stunning, otherworldly landscape.
Located about halfway between Silver City and Deming, City of Rocks offers camp sites, hiking trails, excellent mountain biking, wildlife viewing, birding, stargazing, picnic areas and a desert botanical garden. The uniquely designed, new Visitor Center includes a large display area and modern restrooms with hot showers. City of Rocks State Park is your official sponsor of adventure!
Clayton Lake
- Park Elevation: 5,186 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The park is an oasis in the rolling grasslands of northeastern New Mexico. Enjoy boating, picnicking, camping, fishing and hiking. Get a unique glimpse of the past when you explore one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in North America and a close-up look at the stars at the Lake Observatory.
Conchas Lake
- Park Elevation: 4,253 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Just northwest of Tucumcari, this lake features secluded coves, canyons, and sandy beaches, excellent for camping, boating, and fishing. One of New Mexico’s largest lakes, you can explore the 11 miles of the Conchas River or 14 miles of the South Canadian River portions of the lake. With miles of shoreline, there is ample opportunity for hiking and birding too.
Coyote Creek
- Park Elevation: 7,667 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Coyote Creek State Park, about an hour southeast of Taos, is nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along a meandering stream. Enclosed by a forest of spruce and pine, the small valley displays abundant wildflowers and beautiful fall foliage. The park is ideal for fly fishing, camping, hiking, and birding.
Eagle Nest Lake
- Park Elevation: 8,196 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Located on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, Eagle Nest Lake is surrounded by the stunning
scenery of the high mountains of the Moreno Valley. This lake is regularly stocked with trout
and salmon. Anglers can fish from the banks or by boat and ice fish in the winter.
At 8,300 feet in elevation, the park offers a cool retreat from the summer heat for fisherman,
boaters, campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. An abundance of animals makes Eagle Nest Lake an ideal location for wildlife viewing.
El Vado Lake
- Park Elevation: 7,209 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Located in New Mexico’s northern mountains, El Vado Lake State Park offers fishing, boating, camping, hiking, winter cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. A 5.5-mile scenic trail along the Rio Chama connects El Vado with nearby Heron Lake. Quiet coves around the lake are great places to catch trout and kokanee salmon. The lake and surrounding area are a major wintering ground for bald eagles and other birds.
Elephant Butte Lake
- Park Elevation: 4,527 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- If you like camping, fishing, boating, or just being outdoors, Elephant Butte is for you. There
is plenty of water and plenty of beach room at New Mexico's largest State Park. Elephant Butte Lake can accommodate watercraft of many styles and sizes: kayaks, jet skis,
pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers, and houseboats. Remember to wear your life jacket.
Boat safe and boat smart! Besides sandy beaches, the State Park offers restrooms, picnic area, playgrounds, and developed sites with electric and water hook-ups for RV's.
Fenton Lake
- Park Elevation: 7,650 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The Jemez Mountains provide the backdrop for this stunning year-round retreat surrounded by
beautiful ponderosa pine forests. Fenton Lake State Park is a mellow mountain escape. The Rio Cebolla flows through the park and the lake provides an opportunity to fish and canoe. The park also attracts campers, hikers, and cross-country skiers. There is even a fun playground for the kids.
Stocked with rainbow trout from fall through spring, the lake is home to German brown trout, and is an ideal spot for flyfishing. Although most anglers prefer the warmth and comfort of summer, there is also winter ice fishing.
Heron Lake
- Park Elevation: 7,167 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- A picturesque lake set among the tall pines of northern New Mexico, Heron Lake State Park has been designated a “quiet lake” where boats operate at no-wake speeds only, making it an excellent location for all types of paddle craft. Heron Lake also has amazing sailing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. The park is a fisherperson's paradise with record-size trout and kokanee salmon. Ice fishing is very popular in winter. Several campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake with primitive and developed campsites are available for every taste.
Hyde Memorial
- Park Elevation: 8,300 - 9,400 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- New Mexico’s first State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest, along Little Tesuque Creek. The park is a short drive from Santa Fe and offers excellent group facilities and campsites. There are beautiful hiking trails with spectacular views. You can enjoy Hyde Memorial State Park in the winter months too with snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing opportunities available.
Hyde Memorial State Park is the perfect location for your next wedding, family reunion, or yurt adventure!
*Wifi available at Visitor Center
Leasburg Dam
- Park Elevation: 3,962 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- A short 25 minute drive from bustling Las Cruces brings you to this quiet park along the Rio Grande. Leasburg Dam State Park offers peace and relaxation, a beautiful cactus garden, several hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and birding. Night sky programs are very popular at this park, which features an observatory.
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
- Park Elevation: 3,482 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This native wildlife zoo, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, exhibits more than 40 species of animals and hundreds of species of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert. The park provides an up-close experience for visitors, with a variety of fun interpretive programs for every season geared for the entire family. Living Desert also has beautiful hiking trails, picnic areas and group facilities. There is no camping and no pets are allowed.
Manzano Mountains
- Park Elevation: 7,250 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Manzano Mountains State Park is an excellent destination for hiking and camping. Nestled in the wooded foothills of the Manzanos, this park provides a quiet retreat and is a nice family get-away. Wildlife viewing, birding and photography are great activities at this park.
Mesilla Valley Bosque
- Park Elevation: 3,879 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The park is located on the Rio Grande near Las Cruces and 1.5 miles from historic Mesilla. Visitors have many opportunities to view wildlife in natural surroundings while strolling one of the self-guided nature trails. Enjoy a fun ranger-led tour!
Morphy Lake
- Park Elevation: 7,953 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 8,000 feet in elevation, this hidden lake sits at the edge of the Pecos Wilderness. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and offers excellent fishing. Canoeing is also a popular activity and this pristine scenic spot offers a unique opportunity for primitive camping. Due to parking and campsite size limitations, maximum RV length allowed is 18 feet.
Navajo Lake
- Park Elevation: 5,600 – 6,600 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Navajo Lake is the second largest lake in the state, with multiple campgrounds, two marinas, and two boat docks. Navajo is a haven for boaters of every stripe – motorized boaters, canoers, kayakers, water skiers and sailors. The San Juan River is a world-class fly fishing destination and features a campground, day use areas and a serene trail along the river. Navajo Lake State Park offers some of the best boating, fishing, hiking, and camping in New Mexico.
Oasis
- Park Elevation: 4,058 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- You’ll find this true oasis just north of Portales, NM. Oasis State Park is set among cottonwood trees, shifting sand dunes, and a small fishing lake. Although fishing is the park’s main draw, it also has several hiking trails, a peaceful and shady campground, and an abundance of birds.
Oliver Lee Memorial
- Park Elevation: 4,400 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Set against the dramatic Sacramento Mountains, this park features a historic ranch house, quiet camping in the Chihuahuan Desert, and the unique oasis of pools of water under the cottonwood trees of Dog Canyon. Enjoy a short walk on the Riparian Nature Trail or a challenging hike up the Dog Canyon Trail
Pancho Villa
- Park Elevation: 4,073 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Located at the border of Mexico, the park exhibit hall and historic structures capture the history of the Pancho Villa Raid and historic Camp Furlong. The large campground offers utility hookups for campers with RVs, and a playground for the kids.
Pecos Canyon
- Park Elevation: 7,628 feet to 8,196 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
-
Pecos Canyon, New Mexico’s 35th state park, is a jewel near the Pecos Wilderness of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in north central New Mexico.
Just a short drive from Santa Fe and north of the Village of Pecos, this newly created state park is currently under development and will offer fishing, camping, hiking and more!
Percha Dam
- Park Elevation: 4,447 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This quiet park along the Rio Grande is shaded by tall cottonwoods and provides excellent fishing, relaxing camping, and outstanding bird watching.
Rio Grande Nature Center
- Park Elevation: 4,968 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- Located on the Rio Grande flyway, the park offers excellent birdwatching opportunities throughout the year. There are indoor and outdoor wildlife viewing areas overlooking ponds, a native plant garden, and a pollinator garden as well as access to the city-managed trails to the Rio Grande and Bosque. The Visitor Center offers informative displays and a unique Nature Shop. The park is day-use only, no camping. Leashed pets are allowed in the parking area and on the adjacent city trails only.
Rockhound
- Park Elevation: 4,520 - 5,400 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The rugged slopes of the Little Florida Mountains are the setting for this park, which boasts trails, unique geology, wildflower displays, and a peaceful campground. The stunning scenery of the Spring Canyon unit of the park provides a peaceful area for hiking or picnicking.
Santa Rosa
- Park Elevation: 4,751 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This reservoir on the plains of eastern New Mexico offers fishing, boating, camping and hiking, as well as abundant bird watching opportunities. Equestrians are welcome at the Los Tanos Campground.
Storrie Lake
- Park Elevation: 6,607 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This serene lake offers great opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and windsurfing. Choose from a variety of campsites with utility hookups for RVs.
The park is conveniently located near historic Las Vegas.
Sugarite Canyon
- Park Elevation: 6,664 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The nature enthusiast will appreciate the abundance of wildlife, birds, butterflies, and wildflowers among the lakes, creeks, forests, and meadows. Nearly all outdoor recreation activities are possible: Fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping.
Sumner Lake
- Park Elevation: 4,310 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This lake on the grassy plains offers many activities, such as boating, swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, and birding. Relax at a campsite with views of the lake after a hike along the lakeshore.
Ute Lake
- Park Elevation: 3,762 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- This reservoir on the Canadian River is one of the longest lakes in the state at nearly 13 miles, and boasts a variety of fun water sports. The campgrounds offer a variety of camping experiences, including the Yucca Campground, designed for RVs.
Villanueva
- Park Elevation: 6,110 ft
- Click Here for More Info.
- The park is nestled between high sandstone bluffs that form a canyon along the Pecos River. Camp or picnic under the shade of cottonwood trees. Enjoy fishing, birding, wildflower viewing, or hiking the trails along the canyon walls.