Brantley Lake
First Day Hike Come and start the year by joining staff with a hike through Brantley Lake State Park! The trail is about 3 miles long please bring water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing, and a good attitude. The Trail features wildlife tracks and information about each animal species at our beautiful park. A park ranger will be joining you to answer all inquiries you may have so, bring your curiosity and be ready to learn something new! 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: Ramon Carrillo (505) 690-2757

Cerrillos Hills
First Day Hike Celebrate the New Year and Cerrillos Hills State Park's 13th consecutive First Day Hike! This year's edition will be hosted the Amigos de Cerrillos Hills State Park and 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 2025. 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 Stomp Hearty Souls Invited! The Polar Stomp registration starts at 12 at Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitor Center. At 1 PM the stomp will depart from the visitor center and hike 30 minutes north turn around and return to the visitor center. There will be cookies and hot chocolate for participants to enjoy. 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: Jordan Mitchell 575-377-1594

Eagle Nest Lake
New Year's Polar Plunge Hearty souls are invited to the New Year's Polar Plunge! Registration is from 12 PM to 2 PM inside the visitor center. Remember to bring shoes, as only individuals with shoes on may jump into the lake. The jump will last as long as individuals keep jumping into the lake. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be located at the visitor center to enjoy. The plunge 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: Jordan Mitchell 575-377-1594

Elephant Butte Lake
First Day Dam Walk Join Elephant Butte Lake State Parks in celebrating 2024 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: EB State Park 575-744-5923

Fenton Lake
FIRST DAY HIKE Join us at Fenton Lake State Park to kick off the new year with a beautiful hike through the entire park. Enjoy the stunning scenery and possible wildlife as you are led throughout the park by Fenton's own with Ranger Kieffer Nymark, who gives a little history into Fenton Lake. Bring the whole family to enjoy Fenton Lake and the Santa Fe National Forest. If there is snow, then bring your snow shoes to enjoy this beautiful Park. 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.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Kieffer Nymark 575-829-3630

Hyde Memorial
First Day Hike Join us for a First Day Hike through the forest! Description of Hike: The East Circle Trail is a moderate hike and ideal for families, beginner hikers, and seasoned trekkers alike. The trails wind through lush aspen and ponderosa pine forests, offering a peaceful escape into nature. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and water. 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.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Jason Downing 505-983-7175
Hyde Memorial Park Link

Living Desert
First Day Hike Visitors who take advantage of the free hike on 01/01/2025 at the zoo will have an opportunity to witness a wide collection of local plants and animals native to the Chihuahuan Desert, including mountain lions, eagles, and a black bear as they journey along our 1.3 mile walking trail.
Fees: Free Entry
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

Pancho Villa
First Day Hike 2025 Kick off the New Year with a refreshing First Day Hike at Pancho Villa State Park! Join us on a short, 0.25-mile hike around Cootes Hill to explore the unique beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert and dive into the rich local history of this iconic area. Perfect for all ages and fitness levels, this guided hike is a wonderful way to start your year outdoors and learn more about our beautiful desert landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature, history, and your community!
Fees: Waived
Contact: Jonathin Horsley 575-531-2711

Santa Rosa
First Day Hike Start the new year with a great active day outdoors enjoying the sights and sounds of one of your beautiful State Parks! Join us for a brisk morning hike along Santa Rosa Lake and the dam. Don't forget your camera as deer, eagles, and other local wildlife may be spotted on the trail. We'll meet at the Visitor Center where maps will be handed out. 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: Park Staff 575-472-3110

Storrie Lake
Polar Bear Plunge Join us for Our 29th 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: Waived
Contact: Manuel Villanueva 505-425-7278

Sumner Lake
First 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 575-355-2542

Ute Lake
First Day Hike - Bring a Picnic Kick off the new year with a First Day Hike along the Ute Lake Nature Trail! Bring water, a picnic lunch, sunscreen, and a hat, and wear weather-appropriate attire for this moderate 2.14-mile roundtrip hike. Meet at the Logan Park Trailhead at noon sharp! 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: Park Staff 575-487-2284

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Nature in Winter Festival Join us for this winter-themed annual event. There will be bird walks, a nature walk, bosque bits table (pelts, feathers, bones, and other biofacts), kids make-and-take nature crafts, live ambassador birds from Wildlife Rescue and several natural history presentations. More details and schedule available closer to the day of the event - check back here or www.rgnc.org for more information! Parking fee $5.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check) Friends of the RGNC permit holders and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with valid permit displayed.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: RGNC Front Desk 505-344-7240

Leasburg Dam
Star Program The star show begins at SUNDOWN! Join us monthly as we open the Leasburg Dam Observatory to the public to see some of the most amazing sights in the night sky. The Astronomical Society of Las Cruces members operate a large 16" telescope and other telescopes just outside the observatory. View amazing deep-space objects through these telescopes, such as globular star clusters, planetary nebulae, distant planets, and far-away galaxies! The event 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: Park staff 575-524-4068

Living Desert
Maggie the Bear's 20th Birthday Join us on January 18th, 2025, to celebrate Maggie the Black Bear's 20th Birthday! Starting at 10:30 AM, we will host activities in the visitors center, including arts and crafts for children, signing birthday cards for the birthday bear, and a competition to allow visitors to guess Maggie's weight. We will be serving cake for visitors to enjoy. Maggie will be given her present at 1:00 PM for the public to view. Activities in the visitors center will be free, but those wishing to enter the zoo to witness Maggie opening her present must pay standard entrance fees.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Craig Jennings (575) 887-5516

Leasburg Dam
Bird Tour Join us for a guided bird identification tour! Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Leasburg Dam State Park trails with a Mesilla Valley Audubon Society bird identification expert who will teach you how to improve your bird identification skills. Bring binoculars, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and dress for the weather. MEET at 8:00 AM - AT THE VISITOR CENTER. The event 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: Park staff 575-524-4068