RV rental Elephant Butte Lake State Park, NM: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more

Under a vast blue sky, rust-colored mesas and buttes rise from the waters. These ancient monoliths are formed by millions of years of wind and water erosion. Scrubby yarrow, yucca, witch broom, and other native desert plants dot the far hills, painting them a muted brownish-green. After rare storms sweep through, hills dazzle with tiny specks of yellow and fluorescent pink. With over 100 miles of shores, there’s plenty of room to stretch out and find a private cove to fish in. Considered a fisherman’s paradise, Elephant Butte Lake is known for producing record-breaking bass, walleye, crappie, catfish, and bass. A popular magazine named Elephant Butte Lake one of the top 150 fishing lakes, and local and national fishing tournaments are held here regularly. Should anglers want to hit the water but lack a boat, there is a handful of marinas and boat-rental outfits with a variety of boats to rent, ranging from kayaks to pontoon boats. Over 20 miles of established trails wind around the lake. The terrain can be challenging at times because some of the ascents take hikers over loose, rocky shoulders that hug the buttes. Patient hikers are rewarded with a vast, sweeping view of the Gila Wilderness, Rio Grande River Valley, and Mogollon Mountains. Hikers should exercise caution when navigating the small boulders and bushes. Rattlesnakes are extremely common, as are several other native nonvenomous snakes. Other desert wildlife like lizards, skinks, and turtles are frequently spotted on the trails.