Brantley Lake
First Day Hike Ranger led hike showcasing vegetation, terrain and history of the Brantley Lake area.
Fees: Regular Fee Waived
Contact: James Chapler (505) 690-2757

Cerrillos Hills
First Day Hike Celebrate the New Year and Cerrillos Hills State Park's 14th consecutive First Day Hike! This year's edition will feature a trivia contest with prizes and interactive frivolity! The planned route will allow a mid-point drop off giving you 1.5 miles for your first hike of 2026. The full hike will cover just over 3 miles. Expect some hiking uphill and varied surfaces ranging from sandy to rocky. Pack snacks, and water, and wear sturdy shoes. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
Fees: fee waived
Contact: park staff 505-474-0196

Eagle Nest Lake
Polar Plunge and Polar Stomp Dive into the New Year with a splash at the Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Eagle Nest Lake State Park! Start your year with excitement by participating in the invigorating Polar Stomp Hike at 1 PM, and then take the daring plunge into the icy waters at 2 PM. After braving the cold, cozy up by a warm fire and treat yourself to steaming hot cocoa and delicious cookies. This fun-filled event is the perfect way to kick off your New Year adventures! When: January 1, 2026 Time: Noon Registration for the Plunge Where: Visitor Center, 42 Marina Way, Eagle Nest Lake State Park, Eagle Nest, New Mexico Event sponsored by the Friends of Eagle Nest Lake State Park The regular Park Entrance Fee applies. Free to all NM residents and $10 per vehicle for non-residents.
Fees: Regular Fees Apply
Contact: Jordan Mitchell 575-377-1594

Elephant Butte Lake
1st Day Hike Join Elephant Butte Lake State Parks in celebrating 2026 and walking across and learning about Elephant Butte Dam. Walk from the North at the Dirt Dam parking lot or South form the dam overlook. The north route is about a 3 mile round trip, the south route is about a 1/2 mile round trip. Foot traffic only is allowed on the Dam. The walk is free for NM Residents and regular Park Entrance Fee applies for out of state residents. Please bring exact cash or check or display a valid New Mexico State Parks annual pass.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Salvador Gonzalez 575-740-5923

Living Desert
First Day Hike at the Living Desert On January 1st, come and experience the First Day Hike event at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park overlooking the city of Carlsbad. Witness over 40 different animal species and over 100 types of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert as you hike a 1.3 mile trail that loops around the zoo, offering stunning views of Carlsbad, and the Permian Basin. Best of all, during this event everyone will be admitted into the zoo for FREE!!!
Fees: FREE
Contact: Craig Jennings (575) 887-5516

Oliver Lee
First Day Hikes Join us on New Year's Day for First Day Hikes! Hike to start the new year off with a great day outdoors enjoying the sights of one of your beautiful state parks. The trip to Lawson Springs takes you out of the flats and on a moderate climb at the base of the Sacramento Mountains. You'll have a marvelous view of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands across the valley. Lawson Springs' limestone terraces support lush growth standing out against the rocky slopes. A variety of wildlife frequents the area and tracks can be plentiful. Park at the visitor center then walk to site 36. Your guide will meet you there for an approximately one-mile hike along Lawson Springs. The minimum age for children is 8 years old. Pets are allowed on a leash. Please bring plenty of water!
Fees: Waived
Contact: Kate German 505-660-7381

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
New Year's Day Nature Walk Join us for a nature walk to celebrate the New Year! The walk is free to participate and accessible to all ages and albitites. The walk will be about a mile in total. Bring binoculars or borrow ours!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Storrie Lake
Polar Bear Plunge Join us for the 30th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Storrie Lake State Park in Las Vegas, NM! The Plunge Starts at Noon at the boat dock. Please arrive early!! Fees: Park fees are waived for the event.
Fees: Fees Waived for Event
Contact: Manuel Villanueva 505-425-7278

Sugarite Canyon
First Day Hike-Lakeside Snow Stomp First Day Hikes are a nationwide initiative, led by America's State Parks, encouraging people to start the new year with an outdoor activity. We will be circling Lake Mayola on hike, stopping along the way for Hot Cocoa and Smores. Bring a sack lunch. Start a new family tradition and join us for a brisk 5 mile hike to start the year off right!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Rob Smith 575 445 5607

Sumner Lake
1st Day Hike Start the New Year hiking along the scenic Sumner Lake State Park Discovery Trail. The hike will start at the Visitor Center and then go to the West overlook and back. Your guide will provide interesting and informative facts about native plants, wildlife, types of predators in the area, insects, and the park's history. The hike is free for NM Residents and the regular Park Entrance Fee applies for out-of-state residents. Please bring exact cash or check or display a valid New Mexico State Parks annual pass/permit.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Jacob Terrell 575-355-2541

Rockhound
Stars-n-Parks Amateur Astronomer Mike Nuss will be discussing what to observe in the night skies.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Robert V. Apodaca 575-546-6182

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Star Party! Hosted by the Albuquerque Astrological Society. Join astronomers to learn about and look at the night sky! Presentation on Celestial Objects seen in the January Night Sky from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240