Mesilla Valley Bosque
Monthly Bird ID Walking Tour Enjoy a guided walk and learn how to identify various resident and migratory bird species from a local expert birder and member of the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society. Plan on walking approx, 2mi round trip on easy to moderate trail. There is a $10 per vehicle DAY USE FEE required UPON ENTRY - FOR NON - NM Residents.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Alex Mares 575-523-4398

Living Desert
Holiday Crafts Show Celebrate the holidays and find the perfect gift for friends and family at the 2025 Holiday Crafts Show being held at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park visitors center on December 6 and 7 between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm. Jewelry, art, and so much more will be available to purchase from participating vendors. The event at the visitors center will be free to the public, but standard entry fees still apply for entry into the zoo.
Fees: FREE
Contact: Craig Jennings (575) 887-5516

Oliver Lee
Oliver Lee Ranch House Tour In the early 19th century, Oliver Lee was a prominent rancher and politician: serving as a senator and state representative. The reconstructed house, originally built in 1893, is undergoing renovations. The displays are not intact, but you can still view the house. Your walking tour of Lee's Dog Canyon Ranch Headquarters will provide a glimpse of the history of early ranching in the Tularosa Basin. Meet at the visitor center. You will drive your own vehicle, following a staff member to the Ranch House about 1.5 miles away. We recommend you bring water to drink. A $10 per vehicle day use fee is required upon entry for non-New Mexico residents.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Kate German (505) 660-7381

Pancho Villa
Holiday Luminarias Lighting Event Join us at Pancho Villa State Park for a new holiday tradition! Walk among 300+ Luminarias, while enjoying hot cocoa, and holiday cookies! Don't miss Santa's special visit at 6 PM, bringing joy and cheer to all attendees. When: Saturday, December 6 Time: 5 PM to 7 PM, and join us at Location: Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus, NM The event is sponsored by the Friends of Pancho Villa State Park
Fees: No Entrance Fee
Contact: Armando Martinez (575)531-2711

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Bird Walk Experience the beauty of birds on a guided walk through our park, led by one of our expert volunteers. This one-hour excursion offers plenty of opportunities to pause, rest, and observe a variety of bird species. All ages and abilities are welcome, and binoculars are available to borrow. Best of all, participation is free!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Nature Art in the Park Join us at the Nature Center for our new monthly program Nature Art in the Park! We will will have art supplies to borrow in the Visitor Center or you can bring your own supplies. It's time to make art inspired by the beauty of the Bosque. Participation is free!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Elephant Butte Lake
Holiday Beachwalk Come join Elephant Butte Lake State Park staff and the Friends of Elephant Butte Lake for a night of fellowship and friends. Walk among 3000 luminaria and 25 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: Salvador Gonzalez 575-740-5923

Leasburg Dam
STAR PROGRAM Star show begins at SUNDOWN. Each month we open the Leasburg Dam Observatory to the public. Members of the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces operate a large 16" telescope as well as other telescopes just outside the observatory. Through these telescopes, you can see amazing deep space objects, such as: globular star clusters, planetary nebulae, distant planets and far away galaxies!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: any park staff 575-524-4068

Oliver Lee
Oliver Lee Ranch House Tour In the early 19th century, Oliver Lee was a prominent rancher and politician: serving as a senator and state representative. The reconstructed house, originally built in 1893, is undergoing renovations. The displays are not intact, but you can still view the house. Your walking tour of Lee's Dog Canyon Ranch Headquarters will provide a glimpse of the history of early ranching in the Tularosa Basin. Meet at the visitor center. You will drive your own vehicle, following a staff member to the Ranch House about 1.5 miles away. We recommend you bring water to drink. A $10 per vehicle day use fee is required upon entry for non-New Mexico residents.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Kate German (505) 660-7381

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Nature Walk Enjoy a leisurely exploration of the bosque ecosystem with a naturalist guide! The mostly flat, sandy trail is about one mile round trip and the walk lasts about an hour and a half. We recommend that you wear a hat and sunscreen and bring water. This walk is appropriate for adults and children. Meet your guide just west of the parking lot by the bench and bulletin boards. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Friends of FRGNC members enter free with valid permit displayed.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Bird Walk Experience the beauty of birds on a guided walk through our park, led by one of our expert volunteers. This one-hour excursion offers plenty of opportunities to pause, rest, and observe a variety of bird species. All ages and abilities are welcome, and binoculars are available to borrow. Best of all, participation is free!
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.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Robert V. Apodaca 575-546-6182

Hyde Memorial
Meet Santa Claus at Hyde Memorial Join us for a festive day at Hyde Memorial State Park as we welcome a very special guest—Santa Claus himself! Bring the whole family to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus while they work merrily in their workshop at the park’s Visitor Center. Capture a holiday photo with Santa Claus and indulge in complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Park Staff 505-983-7175

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Bird Walk Experience the beauty of birds on a guided walk through our park, led by one of our expert volunteers. This one-hour excursion offers plenty of opportunities to pause, rest, and observe a variety of bird species. All ages and abilities are welcome, and binoculars are available to borrow. Best of all, participation is free!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Habitat Helpers Come join our staff and volunteers in a morning of habitat restoration. We will weed, water, and mulch. Meet at the group shelter outside the Education Building. Volunteers are responsible for knowing their own physical limitations, the safe usage of tools, and being aware of the environment. Please wear closed toe shoes and bring sun protection and a water bottle to refill. Water will be provided. See you there!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Levi Dean 505 344-7240

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

Oliver Lee
Oliver Lee Ranch House Tour In the early 19th century, Oliver Lee was a prominent rancher and politician: serving as a senator and state representative. The reconstructed house, originally built in 1893, is undergoing renovations. The displays are not intact, but you can still view the house. Your walking tour of Lee's Dog Canyon Ranch Headquarters will provide a glimpse of the history of early ranching in the Tularosa Basin. Meet at the visitor center. You will drive your own vehicle, following a staff member to the Ranch House about 1.5 miles away. We recommend you bring water to drink. A $10 per vehicle day use fee is required upon entry for non-New Mexico residents.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Kate German (505) 660-7381

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Bird Walk Experience the beauty of birds on a guided walk through our park, led by one of our expert volunteers. This one-hour excursion offers plenty of opportunities to pause, rest, and observe a variety of bird species. All ages and abilities are welcome, and binoculars are available to borrow. Best of all, participation is free!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Stories Under the Cottonwoods Stories Under the Cottonwood is offered at 10:30am on the third Saturday of each month. This is a participatory story session filled with fun natural history facts, songs, poems, and stories for the tall and the small, especially for those aged 5 to 10 years old. Children should always bring their own adult, so they can enjoy the fun, too!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240

Leasburg Dam
Bird Tour Please join us on 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. They will teach you how to improve your bird identification skills. Bring binoculars, comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather. WE MEET at 8 AM - AT THE VISITOR CENTER.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: any park staff 575-524-4068

Rio Grande Nature Ctr.
Bird Walk Experience the beauty of birds on a guided walk through our park, led by one of our expert volunteers. This one-hour excursion offers plenty of opportunities to pause, rest, and observe a variety of bird species. All ages and abilities are welcome, and binoculars are available to borrow. Best of all, participation is free!
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Front desk 505-344-7240