Welcome to the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico is a state with lush and varied natural landscapes, including deeply forested areas, deserts, glorious mountains, breathtaking caves, and magnificent wildlife. The state is home to an array of animals such as cougars, antelopes, deer, mountain lions, doves, cranes, prairie dogs, and more. The desert climate encompasses popular vegetation like juniper, pinyon, mesquite, and creosote bushes, among others.
Discover the best state parks in New Mexico:
City of Rocks State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Art and nature collide at City of Rocks State Park, where visitors can experience impressive—and mighty—large-scale volcanic rock formations with sculptures that top as high as 40 feet. City of Rocks boasts camping sites, hiking and mountain biking trails, birding spots, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.
Cimarron Canyon State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Next on the docket is Cimarron Canyon State Park, where view chasers will meet their match. Enjoying outstanding views is the first order of business, but the state park also boasts tremendous day-use areas (including many trails). A major must-see spot is Clear Creek Trail, with its impressive waterfall lookouts. Wildlife viewers can get glimpses of bears, elks, deer, turkeys, and various bird species. After hitting the trails and stopping for picture-perfect opportunities, visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, equestrian trails, and camping.
Villanueva State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Head near the Pecos River and enter a world of wonder at Villanueva State Park. Get immersed in a sandstone canyon and find shade under the cottonwood trees. The park is ripe with activities as well, and visitors can enjoy boating, camping (equestrian camping is available on a different campsite), fishing, swimming, walking trails, and birding. Even better, families can partake in education programs as well.
Sugarite Canyon State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
History lives at Sugarite Canyon State Park, as this space is also the historic site for a coal-mining camp. Lush, green scenery is filled with Gambel oaks and ponderosa pine trees (and other tree species), making this state park a storied exploration for the books. The landscape also features a stream valley, mesas, volcanoes, and basalt cliffs. The beautiful green trees dotting the park give way to a bevy of wildlife viewing opportunities including birds and butterflies, making a wonderfully picturesque scene among the pretty wildflowers. After admiring the natural beauty, visitors can utilize the hiking or equestrian trails, or engage in boating, fishing, hunting, picnicking, camping, and even volleyball. In the winter months, recreation sports like sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are readily accessible. Families can also enjoy educational programming to boot.
Google Rating: 4.6
Navajo Lake State Park is a premier spot for camping, fishing, and boating. With 150 miles of shoreline and more sunny days than not (the park clocks in over 280 sun-filled days per year), this is a spot that cannot be missed. To begin, stop at Navajo Lake which is the second largest lake in New Mexico, and then dive right into fly-fishing, tranquil trails, picnic spots, and campgrounds.
Fenton Lake State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Escape to the mountains—with a scenic lake—at Fenton Lake State Park. Surrounded by gorgeous lake views, this idyllic spot is loaded with ponderosa pines. A serene space, the state park is the perfect place for boating, kayaking, and canoeing along the lake with its lush foliage. Take in walking or equestrian trails and mingle in a little birdwatching at the same time. Visitors can also enjoy educational programs, fishing, picnicking, and even winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can pitch a tent at the park’s many campsites if you wish to stay longer.
Rockhound State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Love scouting for interesting rocks and other stones? Plan a visit to Rockhound State Park, as it is well-known for its plentiful mineral deposits in the area. With its spectacular setting of the Little Florida Mountains, visitors can embark on experiences jam-packed with fun and discovery. The calming Spring Canyon area gives way to campgrounds, walking trails, and birding spots. You can even search for geodes, jasper, perlite, quartz, and other minerals in the park.
Conchas Lake State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Seeking solitude? Conchas Lake State Park is just the thing. Enjoy tranquility by the lake—Conchas Lake includes sandy beaches, clustered coves, and canyons—with hikes along the shoreline to spot various birds. After a stroll, go boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or have a picnic. Sailing and water skiing are also permitted.
Hyde Memorial State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
A quick drive from the capital city of Santa Fe, Hyde Memorial State Park offers gorgeous views among its easy-to-navigate hiking trails. There are over 50 campsites, so round out your trip with an overnight stay and picnics.
Morphy Lake State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Unlock a hidden lake in the Pecos wilderness. Morphy Lake State Park is a small state park with 30 acres to explore. Whether canoeing, fishing for rainbow trout, hopping on a boat, or staying at a campsite, the state park packs in lots of activities for everyone.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Carlsbad Caverns National Park boasts poetic, windy rocky canyons, storied desert wildlife, and impressive sea ledges. In the Chihuahuan Desert, visitors can unlock thrilling marvels and eye-opening discoveries as Carlsbad Caverns holds more than 119 caves. At over 46,000 acres, the national park is a sight to behold and it’s worth planning a tour in advance to experience the impressive and ancient rock formations and natural caves, like the natural limestone chamber known as the Big Room. There are guided tours and bat flight viewing too. With year-round events, an amphitheater, a gift shop, and camping (a permit is required), Carlsbad Caverns is a must-do for any New Mexico resident or traveler. Note: reservations are required to enter Carlsbad Caverns, and it’s best to make them in advance as visitors cannot make reservations on-site.
White Sands National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
An epic adventure awaits at White Sands National Park. At over 145,750 acres, the national park is nestled in the heart of the Tularosa Basin. With wow-worthy sights, including 275 miles of desert with soft, white gypsum sand, the national park is a popular natural landscape to visit year after year. Camp, hike, cycle, drive along the dunes, shoot photos, hop on a sled, or just picnic, White Sands is an utterly memorable experience.
The Land of Enchantment
Considering a move to New Mexico? Check out our other articles on the best places to live and notable safe cities to call your next home. And when you’re ready to find your new home, you can find new listings every day at NewHomeSource.com.
*All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from the closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of google reviews.
Stephanie Valente is a Content Director and Editor in Brooklyn, NY. She’s previously held writing and social media positions at Barkbox, Men’s Journal, and currently works at a full-service advertising agency. She’s a self-confessed home and design enthusiast. Stephanie is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. When she’s offline, you can find her taking a yoga class, running, hanging out with her rescue dog Pepper. Find her on stephanievalente.com.
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