State Parks near Las Cruces, NM

Steeped in history, remnants of civilizations long gone dot the landscape around Caballo Lake State Park. Abandoned old-west towns, cliffside dwellings of a mysterious, vanished civilizations, and dry wells, evidence of pioneers who tried to eke out a living in the arid, harsh desert. Lake Caballo takes its name from the Caballo mountain range that rings the lake to the east. In Spanish, Caballo means horse. Herds of wild horses once roamed these mountains.

Caballo Lake, and a few short years later, Caballo Lake State Park were formed in the 1930s when the locals created a large earthen dam to create a more convenient source of water, as well as to tame the desert wilderness. Though the reservoirs are used …

As the name suggests, City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico is filled with unusual rock formations, created out of lava. The park is small, encompassing only one square mile, in the Chihuahuan Desert region. The rock formations were created around 35 million years ago when a huge volcano erupted, and thanks to erosion, the strange formations were created.

The park is located around midway between Deming and Silver City, so is easily accessible for those that are looking for adventure when booking an RV in Grant County. There is a huge range of things to do in the park, whether you are making use of the state park campground or staying somewhere further afield. There are …

Elephant Butte State Park, a large state park in New Mexico, was established in 1916 when a dam was built. The dam was a major engineering accomplishment in its day, and as a result of the construction, a massive 40-mile-long lake formed. The park is named for an elephant-shaped butte near the dam. The choice in the name turned out to be doubly apt: a stegomastodon fossil was found there in 2014.

Far from civilization, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped back into the Old West. Steeped in history and culture, search for an RV in Sierra County, NM, and explore it fully when you go out on your recreational adventure. The closest large town is Truth or …

Stretching all the way to the outskirts of El Paso, Franklin Mountains State Park is a rare example of a state park located entirely within the city limits of a bustling metropolitan area. The park’s namesake Franklin Mountain isn't just the park's centerpiece; it's a place of great historical importance. The mountain contains traces of human presence dating back around 12 millennia. The Native Americans most likely used the mountain for gathering food and medicinal herbs, and they also etched the images on rock walls and boulders.

Conquering North Franklin Peak (7,192 feet high) is so much more than a feat of strength. You'll journey through a seemingly desolate yet biodiverse ecosystem. As a result, rock climbers, mountain bikers, and …

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is in southwest New Mexico, near the small town of Silver City. This is a very rural part of New Mexico. The nearest larger town is Las Cruces, which is around 150 miles to the southeast, while the nearest large city is El Paso, Texas, at almost 200 miles to the southwest.

This part of the country is dry and rugged, and most of the local towns are small and few and far between. Though there may be a lack of people, this is a great place to engage in outdoor recreational activities. Hiking, camping, picnic sites, and scenic drives are all available throughout this scenic area.

Tourists love to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park to see one of the world’s largest Permian fossil reefs and the tallest mountain peaks in the state of Texas. Bring your own motorhome or book an RV in Culberson County and plan on staying a while, exploring the diverse fauna and flora of the area. Guadalupe Mountains National Park isn't far from the New Mexico border; you can find an RV rental in Carlsbad, NM and then make the hour drive southwest to the park.

Visitors enjoy learning about the history of the area as well as camping at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. You might also want to set a course for the bustling city of El Paso, less than …

Leasburg Dam State Park is located in south-central New Mexico, just north of the city of Las Cruces. The small town of Radium Springs sits just outside the park's boundaries. It is also only around 60 miles south of the touristy town of Truth or Consequences. The nearest large city is El Paso, TX, at around 60 miles to the south.

Leasburg Dam State Park lies on the banks of the Rio Grande River, amongst the dry scrub brush and arid mountains that comprise this part of the country. Many activities are available to participate in here, including camping, hiking, picnic sites, and water access.

When you book an RV in Otero County, you’ll be in the southern reaches of New Mexico. You will have unbridled access to Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, which is at the foot of the Sacramento Mountain range, and all of the exciting features that it contains. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is named in celebration of Oliver Milton Lee, a 19th-century legislator, and rancher who helped shape the region into what it is today. Motorhome camping near Oliver Lee Memorial State Park will give you mountain views and more.

In total, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park covers over 600 acres of land and rests at an elevation of around 4,500 feet. The park was established in 1980 and …

Pancho Villa State Park is a historic landmark near Deming that was established in 1975 to remember the 1916 raid on the city of Columbus by a Mexican general, Francisco “Pancho” Villa. The city was home to Camp Furlong, which became important overnight (following the raid) as a center for guarding against further attacks and mounting a counterstrike across the border in Mexican territory. The strike occurred at the same time as the Mexican Revolution, and Camp Furlong continued to be an important installation, helping to drive Pancho Villa's troops out of Ciudad Juarez in the summer of 1919.

Today the park consists of the remaining buildings that weren't destroyed by Pancho Villa and the counter strike facilities used by …

Percha Dam State Park is in Arrey, New Mexico, in the southwest portion of the state. The state park sits just off of I-25, so it isn't hard to find. It is situated around 20 miles south of the tourist town of Truth or Consequences and almost 60 miles north of the larger city of Las Cruces. The nearest large city is El Paso, TX, at around 100 miles to the south, and this metro area also sits on the international border with Mexico.

This portion of the state is fairly dry and flat, consisting mostly of desert-like scrubland. It is ringed by the San Andres and Caballo Mountains that surround it. There is plenty to do nearby. …

If you spend a lot of time RV camping in state or national parks, you’re familiar with the rules that you can’t take any natural resources out of those parks. But did you know that there’s a park where this is not only legal but encouraged? Rockhound State Park, established in 1966, has the distinction of being the first state park to allow private rock collectors to take from the park. Look closely, and you’re sure to find geodes, thundereggs, jasper, and many other treasures.

Rockhound State Park is in southwestern New Mexico, one hour west of Las Cruces, near Interstate 10. The 1,100-acre park is at the foot of the Little Florida Mountains at an altitude of 4,500 …

White Sands National Monument is located in south-central New Mexico, near the medium-sized town of Alamogordo. This locale is found only about 100 miles north of the international border with Mexico. The nearest larger city is El Paso, Texas, which is also about 100 miles to the south.

There are so many things to do in this part of the state! From outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring the local sand dunes, to museums, shopping opportunities, and plenty of unique restaurants, there is always something to do when you visit this region.