Place · Southwest NM
City of Rocks State Park
A surreal cluster of giant volcanic-tuff boulders rising from the Chihuahuan Desert, with campsites tucked among the rocks plus a small botanical garden and observatory.
State Park
Search hiking, mountain-bike and equestrian trails, campsites, fishing and water access, hunting units, farmers markets, and hidden gems across New Mexico — with fees, access rules, and cultural-protocol guidance.
Showing 61–120 of 408
A surreal cluster of giant volcanic-tuff boulders rising from the Chihuahuan Desert, with campsites tucked among the rocks plus a small botanical garden and observatory.
Clear Creek Campground in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico sits less than two hours from Albuquerque, offering hiking and fishing in the shade of ponderosa pines. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. Photography is permitted. Specific site count, amenities, fees, and seasonal dates are not listed; check Recreation.gov for current availability and conditions.
Columbine Creek in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from NM Highway 38 upstream to its headwaters. The creek supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Comanche Trailhead offers a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico with a recorded elevation gain of approximately 2,047 feet. Photography is permitted. Trail length, difficulty rating, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail follows the Rocky Mountain spine for approximately 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada, with this northwestern New Mexico segment managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office. The corridor supports hiking, equestrian travel, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, environmental education, and photography. Contact the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office for current access points and trail conditions in this section.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail extends approximately 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada, offering high-quality primitive hiking and horseback riding along the Divide. In northwestern New Mexico, where the route crosses BLM lands, it is identified by line-of-sight signs and rock cairns rather than conventional trailhead signage. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM for current access and conditions along this segment.
Wilderness Study Area in west-central New Mexico managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office. The landmark is Pelona Mountain at 9,212 feet, anchoring terrain of rolling grassland that transitions to piñon pine and ponderosa pine forest on slopes, with the summit itself remaining mostly grassland. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the WSA. Access is via US-60 west from Socorro, then south on gravel NM-52, then west on gravel NM-163 to a trailhead pullout; hiking west on the CDT enters the study area.
A wilderness study area in northern Luna County, New Mexico, centered on Cooke's Peak (8,408 feet), located approximately 60 miles southwest of Las Cruces. Managed by BLM Las Cruces Field Office. The terrain features a rugged northern section and rolling southern hills cut by deep canyons, with piñon-juniper woodlands and desert shrubs. The area contains Mogollon-style petroglyphs at Frying Pan Spring. Recreation includes hiking, dispersed camping, wildlife viewing, photography, and stargazing. Access via Highway 180 north of Deming.
A village market in the Corrales bosque with produce, eggs, honey, baked goods, and plants from local growers.
Cottonwood Trailhead accesses the Manzano Mountains in central New Mexico's Torrance County. Managed by the USDA Forest Service (Cibola National Forest, Mountainair Ranger District), the trailhead is reached by parking off Forest Road 422 and hiking approximately 0.5 mile to the Kayser/Cottonwood Junction. Located within the recovery area of the 2007 Ojo Peak Wildfire, the site offers access to hiking and horseback riding opportunities. Day-use fees may apply; accepted passes include the New Mexico Enchantment Pass and interagency passes.
Trailhead on County Road B-054 (Bursum Road) providing access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #74 in the Gila National Forest's Reserve Ranger District near Ghost Lake. Located at 7,559 feet elevation in western Catron County, New Mexico. Managed by USDA Forest Service. From Reserve, travel 12 miles north on NM-12, then east on Forest Road 94 (Cox Canyon Road) approximately 24 miles, then turn left on County Road B-054 for 2.3 miles. Overnight parking available but no potable water on site. Allows backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Cove Recreation Area sits on Conchas Lake in northeastern New Mexico and provides boating access. Photography is permitted. Licensing requirements, fees, and additional facility details are not specified for this location; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Cowboy Spring Wilderness Study Area in southwestern New Mexico is a rugged landscape of canyons and rolling hill country covered by juniper, mixed mountain shrubs, and grasses. Managed by the BLM Las Cruces Field Office, the area is open for hiking and wildlife viewing. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM Las Cruces Field Office for current access conditions.
A hilltop cross above downtown Santa Fe, reached by a short brick walkway off Paseo de Peralta lined with plaques tracing four centuries of city history — and the best free sunset panorama in town. The 1920 memorial commemorates Franciscan friars killed in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, a history New Mexico still reckons with; read the plaques thoughtfully.
Crow Canyon Petroglyphs is a 3,200-acre archaeological district located approximately 30 miles southeast of Farmington, New Mexico, spanning Rio Arriba and San Juan counties. Managed by the BLM Farmington Field Office, the site contains one of the most extensive collections of 16th–18th-century Navajo petroglyphs in the Southwest, with 44 rock art panels featuring hundreds of images depicting ceremonial scenes and spiritual symbols. The district also includes Ancestral Puebloan rock art and a pueblito (small defensive structure built c. 1723). The site is protected as a National Register of Historic Places listing (1974) and protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, with penalties up to five years imprisonment and $250,000 fines. Petroglyphs must not be touched or removed; skin oils cause permanent damage to these sacred cultural resources.
Culp Canyon Wilderness Study Area is a wilderness study area located in southern New Mexico within McGregor Range, near Alamogordo. The landscape features gently rolling hills and steep mountain slopes dissected by numerous canyons and arroyos, with desert grasses and shrubs. The site is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (Las Cruces District Office) and the U.S. Army under the Military Lands Withdrawal Act. Access requires permission from Fort Bliss and permits are issued by both Fort Bliss and the BLM's Las Cruces District Office. The area allows hiking, dispersed camping, photography, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. Access route: from U.S. Highway 54 approximately 25.5 miles south of Alamogordo, take Highway 506/Owen Prather Hwy east 6+ miles, then an unmarked dirt road northeast 7.5 miles.
Low adobe rooms on the 1646 Santa Fe map — by long local tradition the oldest house in the United States, raised on the footprint of an ancient Pueblo dwelling. Steps from San Miguel Chapel, itself the oldest church in the country; quick, free, and worth the detour.
Devil's Backbone Wilderness Study Area is a BLM-managed protected area in the Magdalena Mountains of Socorro County, New Mexico, approximately 34 miles south of Socorro. Characterized by knife-edged ridges and peaks rising above desert grassland, the area contains piñon-juniper forest in its northern section and rocky grasslands to the south. The WSA is home to golden eagles and other raptors, mountain lions, and supports diverse wildlife viewing and recreational activities including hiking, camping, and birding. Located roughly 2.5 miles northeast of King's Highway Road via vehicle, with a 0.5-mile approach hike to the southeast corner. The area is managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office.
Devil's Den Canyon Wilderness Study Area is a hiking trail (Devils Den Trail #200) managed by the BLM's Carlsbad Field Office in Eddy County, New Mexico, approximately 40 miles southwest of Carlsbad. The trail descends into a canyon wash with piñon-juniper woodlands before ascending to a gentle ridge within the WSA. The area contains desert shrubs, grasses, and sub-riparian vegetation in the canyon bottom.
Devil's Reach Wilderness Study Area in south-central New Mexico is a rugged, primarily grass-covered landscape situated just west of the Devil's Backbone Wilderness Study Area. Managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office, the area is open for hiking. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM Socorro Field Office for current access details and conditions.
Diablo Canyon Recreation Area is a hiking and climbing destination in north-central New Mexico near the Río Grande, managed by the BLM Taos Field Office (eastern cliffs). The site features dramatic vertical basalt cliffs with over 100 climbing routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.13 in difficulty, plus a canyon trail (wash) approximately 7.5 miles out and back that descends through uneven terrain with large rocks, ending at the Río Grande. The area is characterized by hot, dry conditions with little shade and no potable water; western canyon walls and the trail are managed by the US Forest Service. Primitive dispersed camping and three defined car camping sites with a vault toilet (no water) are available at the trailhead.
Albuquerque's downtown market in Robinson Park, blending local growers with live music, prepared food, and makers. A SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks market.
Dragonfly Trailhead in southwestern New Mexico is the gateway to the Fort Bayard Trail System, providing access to Dragonfly Trail #720, Servis Corrals #725, Old Highway 260 #260, and Crosscountry Course #722. The trailhead accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Photography is permitted. Individual trail distances and difficulty ratings are not specified; consult the recreation.gov listing for details.
Dripping Springs Natural Area is a Bureau of Land Management recreation site in Doña Ana County, 10 miles east of Las Cruces in the Organ Mountains' central rhyolitic section. The area offers over four miles of interconnected easy hiking trails through desert scrub, pinon-juniper, and oak woodlands, with access to La Cueva and lower Fillmore and Ice Canyons. A visitor center provides interpretive displays on the Organ Mountains geology. Day-use fee $5; no overnight camping. Pets allowed on designated trails.
The Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area is a 800-acre BLM-managed recreation area located approximately 1.5 miles south of Farmington, New Mexico, on NM-371. The terrain features large sand dunes, steep to gentle hillsides, and sandy arroyo bottoms across an open landscape without maintained trails. Managed by the BLM Farmington Field Office, the area is open year-round and free to access, though visitors must navigate around active gas wells, oilfield equipment, and pipelines. Nearest services (gas, food, water) are in Farmington, 2 miles away via NM-371.
Eagle Peak Wilderness Study Area is a protected landscape in Catron County, western New Mexico, managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office approximately 20 miles west of Quemado. The terrain features rolling topography with sandstone and basalt mesas, canyons, cinder cones, and lava flows. Vegetation includes piñon-juniper woodland and grassland. The WSA designation restricts development activities and offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, dispersed camping, photography, and stargazing.
East Fork Trailhead #137 in north-central New Mexico provides a midpoint access point to the East Fork Trail (FT 137) along NM 4, approximately one mile east of Jemez Falls Campground. Open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty for FT 137 are not listed in this record; consult the recreation.gov listing for current conditions.
The East Potrillo Mountains Wilderness Area is a designated Bureau of Land Management wilderness in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, situated in the Chihuahuan Desert region near the U.S.-Mexico border accessible via Highway 9 between Santa Teresa and Columbus. The landscape features Chihuahuan Desert grassland, yucca, creosote, acacia, mesquite, and juniper on mountain slopes, with limestone substrate supporting diverse cacti and seasonal wildflower displays. The area contains a Classic Mimbres Pueblo site with the highest concentration of bird bones of any known Mimbres archaeological location, reflecting pre-Columbian habitation; these cultural resources are protected and must not be disturbed. Wildlife includes golden eagles, peregrine falcons, pronghorn, and mule deer, with the 14-day stay limit enforced by the Las Cruces District Office.
A natural sandstone amphitheater carved into the cliffs off US-84 north of Abiquiú — clap once and count the echoes. Short paved trail from the day-use area (small fee), with Georgia O'Keeffe-country views in every direction.
Echo Amphitheater Picnic Site in north-central New Mexico features a striking natural sandstone amphitheater on the Carson National Forest in Rio Arriba County, celebrated for its remarkable echoing acoustics. Open for hiking and picnicking; photography is permitted. Consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current fee and access information.
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail follows the earliest Euro-American trade route in the United States, originally linking Mexico City to New Mexico across approximately 1,600 miles. In south-central New Mexico, this corridor is managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office and open for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM Socorro Field Office for current access points and conditions.
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail in south-central New Mexico follows the earliest Euro-American trade route in the United States, linking Mexico City to New Mexico across approximately 1,600 miles and three centuries. Many historic parajes — traditional stopping places along the route — eventually grew into modern Rio Grande Valley cities. The trail is jointly administered by the BLM and NPS. Photography is permitted. Contact the managing agencies for current access and camping details.
El Caso I-IV Campground is a set of partially developed, shady camping areas in southwestern New Mexico, within hiking distance of the east end of Quemado Lake. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Photography is permitted. Site count, amenities, and seasonal dates are not specified; contact the managing agency for current conditions before visiting.
El Malpais National Conservation Area in southwestern New Mexico was established in 1987 to protect the geological, archaeological, and cultural resources of the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field. Managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, the area supports camping, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, photography, and interpretive programs. A fee may apply; confirm current requirements with the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office before visiting.
Established in 1987 to protect the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field. Includes sandstone cliffs, La Ventana Natural Arch, Chain of Craters Back Country Byway, Joe Skeen Campground, and the Cebolla and West Malpais Wilderness Areas. Sacred to Acoma, Laguna, Zuni, and Ramah Navajo peoples. Stay limit: 14 Days.
El Malpais Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is a collection of independent tracts in Cibola County under consideration for formal Wilderness designation by the Bureau of Land Management. The largest tract features Little Hole-in-the-Wall, a kīpuka (island of fertile ground) surrounded by jagged lava-flow basalt, within piñon-juniper and ponderosa pine forest. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the WSA. Access is via Highway 53 south of Grants, near the Zuni Acoma Trail trailhead.
The 1816 adobe shrine at the heart of the High Road, famed for the 'holy dirt' of el pocito and the Good Friday pilgrimage, when tens of thousands walk here from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and beyond.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park — Lakeside Camping sits at approximately 4,538 feet on the shores of New Mexico's largest reservoir in the southern Rio Grande valley, offering developed RV hookup loops (water and electric; no sewer) and miles of primitive shoreline sites. Flush toilets and potable water are on-site; pets are welcome on leash. Open year-round; first-come, first-served. Day-use plus per-night camping fees apply per the New Mexico State Parks schedule; annual passes accepted. Photography is permitted.
Empedrado Wilderness Study Area is a BLM wilderness study area in New Mexico, managed by the Rio Puerco Field Office. The landscape features deep arroyos, highly sculpted sandstone and shale mesas, and canyons. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the area, marked by cairns only. The WSA supports nesting golden eagles, prairie falcons, and other raptors on its sandstone cliffs, and vegetation includes grama grass, cactus, and Knight's milevetch. Accessed from San Ysidro via US 550 and NM 279.
An 84-mile alpine loop from Taos through Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire, circling Wheeler Peak — New Mexico's highest summit. Aspen gold in late September; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial above Angel Fire is a quietly moving stop.
Encino Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico welcomes both hikers and equestrian riders, making it a dual-use starting point for exploring this mountain range. Photography is permitted. Specific trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Fenton Lake in Sandoval County is a high-country stocked trout lake ringed by ponderosa pine in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, managed by New Mexico State Parks. Rainbow trout are regularly stocked; fishing, paddling, and non-motorized boating are the permitted uses — no boat ramp is present, and only non-motorized watercraft and electric trolling motors are allowed. Winter ice fishing is accessible in cold years. A New Mexico fishing license and a State Parks day-use fee are required. Photography is permitted.
Field Tract Campground sits on the banks of the Pecos River in north-central New Mexico. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. Currently closed until further notice for shelter repairs — confirm current status with the managing agency or Recreation.gov before planning a visit. Photography is permitted when the campground is open.
The Florida Mountains are an isolated, rocky range in southern Luna County, New Mexico, approximately 10 miles southeast of Deming. The wilderness study area is managed by the BLM Las Cruces District and features steep canyons, vertical cliffs, and elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,295 feet (Florida Peak). Primary access is via the Lovers Leap Trail, a 0.8-mile path starting from Rockhound State Park that terminates at the WSA boundary. The landscape includes grasses, desert shrubs, and juniper trees characteristic of the Chihuahuan Desert. Visitors can explore the backcountry via wilderness routes after the marked trail ends; a 14-day maximum stay applies.
Forks Campground in southwestern New Mexico sits against the scenic cliffs along the West Fork of the Gila River, making it a natural stopping point on the route to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, approximately 15 miles to the north. Sites are first-come, first-served. Photography is permitted. Specific site count, amenities, and seasonal dates are not listed; contact the managing agency for current conditions.
Fort Craig Historic Site in south-central New Mexico preserves one of the largest and most important frontier forts in the American West, established in 1854. Managed by the BLM Socorro Field Office, the site offers day-use access for hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and interpretive programs, and is recognized as a significant historic and cultural destination. A fee may apply — contact the BLM Socorro Field Office for current entry requirements.
The Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area in Lincoln County, New Mexico, protects a nationally significant cave system established by the Bureau of Land Management in 2009. The area encompasses Fort Stanton Cave, the second longest cave in New Mexico with over 56 miles of mapped passage, and contains Snowy River, the world's longest cave formation. The 73-mile trail network offers hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking through meadows and canyons with views of the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. The site is also significant for its historic 1855 Army post, cultural, scientific, and archaeological resources.
Fourth of July Campground in central New Mexico is open for day use and overnight camping on a first-come, first-served basis. No potable water is available; note that RVs longer than 22 feet are not permitted. Photography is permitted. Site count, elevation, and other details are not listed; contact the managing agency for current conditions before visiting.
Fourth of July Trailhead sits at the west/northwest end of Fourth of July Campground in the Manzano Mountains, Cibola National Forest. The 1.8-mile trail leads from this day-use trailhead into Manzano Mountain Wilderness and eventually connects to Manzano Crest Trail. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service's Mountainair Ranger District, Torrance County. Campground operates April–November; day-use parking is available near the entrance.
Frijoles Creek in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from its confluence with Rito de las Olla upstream to its headwaters. The creek supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Camino Real Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Gallo Campground lies within Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico, tucked among the boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash and surrounded by petroglyphs and a cliff dwelling. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. Note: several campsites have recently been closed due to significant rock fall — confirm current site availability before booking. Photography is permitted.
Game Management Unit 10 in McKinley County covers the Zuni Mountains in northwestern New Mexico at elevations from approximately 6,500 to 9,200 feet, home to the 'Zuni' elk herd; terrain includes sandstone canyons and ponderosa forests, with sagebrush flats and pinyon-juniper at lower elevations grading into dense pinyon-juniper-ponderosa higher up. Elk, mule deer, black bear, and cougar are huntable through the NMDGF draw. About 35% of the unit is public land — Cibola National Forest, BLM, and state trust — but much BLM and state land is landlocked behind tribal and private property. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and draw status with NMDGF.
Cibola County (Fence Lake area, west-central NM near Zuni/Mt. Taylor country), ~6,200-8,525 ft: mesas, canyons and large basins below ~7,800 ft, with sandy washes and sagebrush flats grading to juniper ridges, ponderosa pine and Gambel oak higher up.
Game Management Unit 13 in Socorro County, central New Mexico, ranges from approximately 4,700 feet on high-desert grasslands to 9,560 feet near Madre Mountain, with steep, rugged country and flat desert supporting pinyon/juniper, ponderosa, and aspen at elevation. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, cougar, and desert bighorn sheep, with tags through the NMDGF draw. Land ownership is mixed — Cibola National Forest, large BLM tracts, and substantial tribal and private holdings — with much of the unit landlocked by private land and access mainly via unimproved dirt roads. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates and draw with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 14 is dominated by the Manzano Mountains and a southern extension of the Sandia Mountains in Torrance County, with peaks including Manzano Peak at 10,098 feet and Gallo Peak at 10,003 feet, transitioning from pinyon/juniper foothills to aspen, spruce, and fir up high. Elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, and Merriam's turkey are huntable, with big-game tags through the NMDGF draw. About 21% of the unit is public land via the Cibola National Forest, with dirt-road and trail access into the Manzano Wilderness; the remainder is largely private. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Check NMDGF for current season dates and limits.
Gila National Forest terrain ranging roughly 7,400-9,000 ft: ponderosa pine and Gambel oak ridges and canyons in the south, flatter sagebrush basins with scattered junipers in the north.
Game Management Unit 16 is a large, rugged forest and canyon unit in the Gila region of southwestern New Mexico — a premier destination for elk and mule deer. Black bear and Merriam's turkey are also huntable here. Archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons run roughly September through January depending on species and weapon; most quality hunts are allocated through the state draw. The unit is largely within the Gila National Forest — check for private inholdings and current access conditions before hunting. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult the current NMDGF Rules & Info booklet for dates and draw codes.
Game Management Unit 16A is a premier Gila National Forest hunting unit in Catron County, southwestern New Mexico, spanning terrain from roughly 7,000 to 9,000 feet with rugged canyons, wide-open grasslands, and burn areas. Elk, mule deer, cougar, and black bear are huntable here; elk and deer are limited-entry draw hunts while cougar runs on a longer statewide season. The unit is largely USFS land with trailhead and forest-road access, plus scattered private parcels. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF before hunting.
Game Management Unit 16B in Catron County, southwestern New Mexico, covers rough mountain terrain with rocky canyons and flat ridges and mesas at elevations ranging from roughly 5,000 to 10,895 feet. Elk, mule deer, cougar, and black bear are huntable; elk and deer are limited-entry draw hunts and cougar runs on a longer statewide season. About 99.5% of the unit is public land — mostly the Gila and Aldo Leopold wilderness areas — with all access by foot or pack stock from marked trailheads and no vehicle access within wilderness boundaries. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF.
Game Management Unit 16C in Catron County, southwestern New Mexico, spans wide-open country dropping into steep rocky canyons, with elevations ranging roughly 6,000 to 8,000 feet. Elk, mule deer, cougar, and black bear are huntable; elk and deer are limited-entry draw hunts and cougar runs on a longer statewide season. The unit is predominantly USFS land within the Gila National Forest, with forest-road access and scattered private parcels. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Confirm current dates, hunt codes, and draw status with NMDGF.