- 6 Best State Parks in New Mexico: Picks from a Full-Time RVer - January 10, 2025
Hi there! My name’s Jamie! As a travel, adventure, and nature enthusiast who spent about 14 months of my five-year, full-time RV adventure in New Mexico from 2016-2021, I’m happy to share some of my favorite state parks (as well as those at the top of my list for when I return) in this beautiful state full of diverse landscapes and extraordinary mountain vistas at every turn.
The Best State Parks in New Mexico
This list is eclectic! It includes some popular spots that are most definitely worth the hype and some lesser-known gems you won’t want to miss.
I’ve also included a couple of bonus spots besides state parks to incorporate while you’re in the area.
New Mexico state parks are affordable, plentiful, and often offer camping. (Note: Reservations are recommended, especially at the popular sites.)
Here are some stops to consider adding to your next adventure itinerary!
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is in a stunning part of New Mexico! My husband and I spent two months living at a nearby campground and found walking for an hour or two in the desert daily was incredibly therapeutic.
This state park offers miles of trails, camping, and proximity to White Sands National Park, which boasts its own extraordinarily unique environment that’s a must-visit in this part of the state (it will get its own section further down, keep reading to find out more about that park).
Alamagordo is less than thirty minutes away, with many places in town for an adventure, including the excellent New Mexico Space Museum and Caliche’s, a local essential stop if you like frozen custard or soft-serve ice cream. Alamogordo and the surrounding community are in a fairly isolated part of the world—I don’t think I could live there long-term—but it makes for a beautiful stay, whether for a few nights or even a few months, as I did.
Where to Stay Near Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Camping & RVing
- Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
- 575 RV Park
- Mars Research Base (MRB) on Hipcamp
- White Sands Culinary Camp on Hipcamp
- Dog Canyon Dispersed Camping
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
City of Rocks State Park
Getting its name from stunning, large volcanic rocks, City of Rocks State Park sits between Silver City and Deming, New Mexico. A popular place to camp, this park includes beautiful desert hiking, mountain biking, places to picnic, and a sweet desert botanical garden. There’s also a visitor center with exhibits and an observatory.
This made a lovely day trip from Silver City or Deming – I even managed to find a spot with enough cell signal to work from a shady spot for a while. I hope to camp here someday; it’s a really special place! I witnessed incredible wildlife here, including amazing birds of prey at a very close distance.
City of Rocks is also near Rockhound State Park, so if you’re planning a visit, consider visiting both.
Where to Stay Near City of Rocks State Park
Camping & RVing
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Bottomless Lakes State Park
This is a break from format to share a state park I wish I hadn’t missed! At Bottomless Lake State Park, you can camp or scuba dive with really unique views, bike, go mountain biking or birding, and camp here. The combo of the cliffs and water here looks so special.
The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) played a significant role at this park during the Great Depression. (More info here.) While I found this area stunning on my way to Roswell, I wish we’d made plans to spend time here. I think it would be a great counterbalance to downtown Roswell’s conspiracy theories and silliness.
Where to Stay Near Bottomless Lakes State Park
Camping & RVing
- Bottomless Lakes State Park
- Desert Rose Stopover on Hipcamp
- A True Cold War Relic..Missile Silo on Hipcamp
- Alamo Road Dispersed Camping
- Red Barn RV Park
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
This park isn’t far from Albuquerque’s hustle and bustle, but it feels like it’s a world away. It’s a popular spot with locals and a lovely place for anyone to take a nature break when in the city.
There are 1.2 miles of hiking trails, indoor and outdoor exhibits, ponds, and gardens. The park is also easy to visit with kids. This website includes information on programs at the park.
Where to Stay Near Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
Camping & RVing
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Rockhound State Park
Rockhound State Park is in the Little Florida Mountains. It has trails, wildflowers, and a beautiful campground, but the main reason people come here is to look for minerals and crystals!
Established in 1966, it was the first park in the country to allow people to collect rocks and minerals for themselves. Though mineral dealers aren’t allowed to collect and sell them, individuals can collect as many as 15 pounds of rocks and minerals here. (So bring your tools, I guess!) I definitely took home my share of pretty rocks after hiking here.
Where to Stay Near Rockhound State Park
Camping & RVing
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Pancho Villa State Park
According to Google, Pancho Villa State Park isn’t anywhere near as popular as the others I’ve covered so far. Still, I can’t resist mentioning it. This park is only five minutes from the Mexican border and has an end-of-the-road feeling when you drive in this area. There’s a desolateness but also a lot of beauty, and the history is absolutely fascinating.
Camping is available and usually easy to come by, with electricity and water. However, reaching out ahead of time is always a good idea to avoid disappointment – especially in an isolated area such as this. (In my research, I noticed the park had sewer issues a while back, so if you need restrooms or a dump station to camp, call ahead.)
On the day of my visit, I got to meet and learn about some amazing birds up close. Enjoy the beauty of hiking and birding here and the really well-displayed information on Pancho Villa himself in the museum inside (it’s so great!).
Where to Stay Near Pancho Villa State Park
Camping & RVing
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Bonus New Mexico Gems
If you’re interested in my favorite New Mexico state parks, you won’t want to miss these other sites while you’re in the area.
Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge
I’ve never met a wildlife refuge I didn’t like, and this one is elaborate! I visited the area in early 2020, so buildings weren’t open. However, I found that even a tour of the outdoor spaces was genuinely worth it.
Bring your binoculars, and be prepared to stay a while. Early morning can be a great time. (One of the fantastic things about camping in this general area is the amazing birds you’ll see – from hundreds of geese migrating overhead to roadrunners and hummingbirds. I’ve found that even camping in the suburbs gives me wonderful bird experiences in New Mexico.)
Where to Stay Near Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
White Sands National Park
In my write-up for Oliver Lee State Park, I mentioned its proximity to White Sands National Park. Everything you’ve read about this park is likely true – it’s magical! Bring a sled or a disk for snow (I actually borrowed one from the campground where I was staying), and plan to spend quite a bit of time here; it can take a while.
One thing I wasn’t prepared for was the level of sand drifts on the roads. I had a small passenger car with front-wheel drive, and I didn’t get too far in my driving before I turned around because I didn’t like it when I couldn’t see the road. Be prepared for that possibility.
But I highly recommend visiting – it’s such a wild thing to be in the desert, surrounded by white sand, with no water in sight! And be mindful of the sun and heat.
Where to Stay Near White Sands National Park
Camping & RVing
- Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
- 575 RV Park
- Mars Research Base (MRB) on Hipcamp
- White Sands Culinary Camp on Hipcamp
- Lake Holloman Dispersed Camping
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
I don’t think I can recognize Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument more highly. While staying in Mountainair, I had the pleasure of visiting the three amazing sites that make up Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. While you could do it in one long day, it might all start to blend together in your head, so spreading the three sites out over 2-3 days would give you more time to let it all soak in. (It can also give you a break from the desert sun!)
Learning about the history of the Pueblo and the three Spanish missions built here was incredible, brought to life while wandering the ruins themselves. There’s a visitor center in downtown Mountainair (downtown might be generous, but it’s a sweet place), and you’ll want a car to drive from site to site, ideally. The staff is a wealth of knowledge here.
Note: Be sure to check the hours before planning your trip—they’re only open on specific days at certain times of the year.
Where to Stay Near Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Camping & RVing
Hotels & Vacation Rentals
New Mexico State Park FAQs
Here are answers to two of the most commonly asked questions about state and national parks in New Mexico:
What is the most popular state park in New Mexico?
That would be Elephant Butte State Park, which is also the largest of them! It has lots of options for boating, camping, and trails.
You may wonder why Elephant Butte State Park didn’t make my list. I actually have visited the park and had a nice enough time, but I feel like it doesn’t need any extra attention from me.
My visit was nice enough, but I had honestly forgotten I had ever gone until I recently went back through my photos, which tells you how memorable it was for my husband and me when we visited a few years back. So, I decided to skip it in this article. But your mileage may vary – I haven’t met a New Mexico State Park I didn’t enjoy! I would certainly make a stop if I were in the area.
What is the most visited national park in New Mexico?
New Mexico has nineteen national park service sites, including two national parks, one preserve, nine monuments, and seven historic trails and parks.
White Sands National Park is the most visited national park in New Mexico.
Conclusion: Embrace the Great Outdoors in New Mexico’s State Parks
New Mexico is truly an extraordinary state for adventurers of all sorts. Though New Mexico has wonderful cultural opportunities and terrific food, its proximity to mountains and other beautiful natural resources across the state makes it a can’t-miss destination for RVers and travelers who love the outdoors.
The unique landscape in New Mexico means that wherever you are, you’ll have mountains surrounding you, even if they’re far, far off in the distance. No wonder this dreamy landscape has been the setting of numerous outer space films and shows! Embrace the adventure, wherever you are, in one of these fantastic New Mexico state parks. And have fun!
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