Oliver Lee
Coffee Chat Join us in the visitor center for a Coffee Chat with park volunteers and staff! We'll be on hand to answer questions about our area's history, plants, and wildlife. This is your chance to be social, meet your fellow campers, and maybe learn something new. This event is made possible by the Friends of Dog Canyon once a month.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Kate German (575) 437-8284

Pancho Villa
13th Annual Luminarias at PVSP Join us on December 2nd, as we host our 13th annual Luminarias event at Pancho Villa State Park! Enjoy hundreds of luminaries, as well as, hot chocolate, and music. The Friends of Pancho Villa State Park will also be raffling off several turkeys and hams for families to enjoy during the winter holidays. The lighting of the luminaries will begin at sunset (5:06 PM), and the event will conclude at 7:00 PM. Day Use fees will be waived for this event, and donations will be collected for the Friends of Pancho Villa State Park to keep this event and others like it going for years to come. We look forward to seeing everyone out in their New Mexico State Parks this holiday season!
Fees: No Fees
Contact: Jonathin Horsley 575-531-2711

Logan Public Schools
New Mexico Boating Safety Course Free, 8-hour class offered by New Mexico State Parks. There is no fee to take this class. Education is the key to becoming a better, more knowledgeable boater. In New Mexico, many boaters are required by law to complete a boating safety course and receive a boater education card. Everyone is eligible and encouraged to take the course and receive a card. Registration is required. Register using link below.
Fees: Free
Contact: Laken Humble 575-487-2284
Register Online

Ute Lake
New Mexico Boating Basics Class Get ready for next summer! The New Mexico boating basics classes are starting up again. This month the class is on Friday, December 8th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The classes are FREE and will take place at the Logan Municipal School Ag building, classroom 2, in Logan, New Mexico. Please call the Ute Lake visitor center at (575) 487-2284 to register, or sign up at the Logan School Office.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Laken Humble (575) 487-2284

Elephant Butte Lake
Luminaria Beach Walk Come join Elephant Butte Lake State Park staff and the Friends of Elephant Butte Lake for a night of fellowship and friends. Walk among 5000 luminaria and campfires with sites hosted by local businesses and organizations. The regular Park Entrance Fee applies. Please bring exact cash or check or display a valid New Mexico State Parks annual pass.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Mark Jimenez 575-744-5923

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Nature Walk See what's happening on the bosque trails. Please bring water, hat, sunglasses, etc. to be prepared for being outdoors. Enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem with one of the RGNC volunteer naturalists. Search for signs of animal life and discover how the Bosque and the Rio Grande provide habitat. Registration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to 12 people. The walk is about 1.5 hours long. The mostly flat, sandy trail is just under 1 mile. This walk is appropriate for adults and children. Meet the volunteer naturalist on the west side of the parking lot at the start of the trail, near the bulletin board. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual pass holders enter free with valid permits displayed.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: RGNC Front Desk 505-344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Rockhound
Holiday Lights 1100+ Luminaries will be displayed along roadway and Visitor Center. We will be serving hot cider & biscochitos. The regular Park Entrance Fee applies. Please bring exact cash or check or display a valid New Mexico State Parks annual pass.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Robert V. Apodaca 575-546-6182

Sugarite Canyon
Christmas on the Chicorica The Friends of Sugarite Canyon will be hosting their annual Christmas on chicorica creek in the Sugarite Canyon Boardwalk area. Donations are appreciated. Come enjoy a walk among the decorated Riverwalk complete with star gazing and warm beverages. Marshmallow roasting over a barrel fire will be available to visitors. Dress warmly as the event occurs predominantly outdoors. Santa and the his coal miner friend will be present for photographs from 6-8pm.
Fees: waived
Contact: Park Staff 575-445-5607

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Oliver Lee
Hike with Santa Meet at the group area for a short hike to the visitor center where cocoa, coffee and treats will be waiting. Capture the holiday magic by striking a pose with Santa! Before he takes off, Santa will tour the campground to share goodies with campers. This event is made possible by the Friends of Dog Canyon. The regular Park Entrance Fee applies. Please bring exact cash or check or display a valid New Mexico State Parks annual pass.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Kate German (575) 437-8284

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Leasburg Dam
Guided Bird Tour A Mesilla Valley Audubon birding expert will take you on a hike around Leasburg Dam State Park and help you learn how to identify birds. Meet at the Leasburg Dam State Park Visitor Center at 8 am. Bring binoculars, and appropriate hiking shoes, and dress for the weather.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: any park staff 575-524-4068

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Guided Bird Walk Join us for our Guided Bird Walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. Preregistration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to (12) people. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot). If you are signed up and can’t attend, kindly call us so that we can open the spot to someone on the waiting list.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front Desk (505) 344-7240