Elephant Butte Lake State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 173 campsites
- Official site
- emnrd.nm.gov(575) 744-5923
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 7
Water quality Closure: Please be advised that the Rock Canyon and South Monticello ramps are closed due to low wa…Please be advised that the Rock Canyon and South Monticello ramps are closed due to low water levels. We anticipate reopening when water levels… (more)
Please be advised that the Rock Canyon and South Monticello ramps are closed due to low water levels. We anticipate reopening when water levels increase, and conditions allow. The MDS main ramp is open for us. All launching and loading of vessels is at the operators own risk.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Partial closure Closure: Both the Upper Ridge Road and Rock Canyon comfort stations will be closed for the winter s…Both the Upper Ridge Road and Rock Canyon comfort stations will be closed for the winter season from October 1st, 2026 through February 28th, 2027.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Closure: Due to the inherent hazards posed by low water levels, the Cliffs Area of the state park w…Due to the inherent hazards posed by low water levels, the Cliffs Area of the state park will remain closed indefinitely.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Restriction: Metal detecting within a state park is prohibited unless a visitor obtains the superintend…Metal detecting within a state park is prohibited unless a visitor obtains the superintendent’s permission to use metal detectors for scientific… (more)
Metal detecting within a state park is prohibited unless a visitor obtains the superintendent’s permission to use metal detectors for scientific activities such as projects permitted through the New Mexico cultural properties review committee or to retrieve lost items. (NMAC 19.5.2.24)
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Restriction: The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as s…The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations… (more)
The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations (NMSA 66-3-1011, 16-2-33 19 NMAC Ch 5 Sec 2.16 A).
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Announcement: Due to historically low water levels, vessels launching in the park will encounter hazardo…Due to historically low water levels, vessels launching in the park will encounter hazardous conditions because of sediment and historical debris.… (more)
Due to historically low water levels, vessels launching in the park will encounter hazardous conditions because of sediment and historical debris. Four-wheel drive is required for all launching and retrieving of vessels. All launching and retrieval of vessels is also undertaken at the operator’s own risk. Park staff are working daily to clear debris as lake levels level out. Visitors are encouraged to report any hazards or concerns to park staff.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Announcement: Day-use hours at the state park are from 6:00AM to 9:00PM daily. Any visitation after 9:00…Day-use hours at the state park are from 6:00AM to 9:00PM daily. Any visitation after 9:00PM must pay for overnight camping.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Sierra County, in Elephant Butte, Elephant Butte Lake State Park covers about 20,696 acres.
The park supports snorkeling and diving, off-highway vehicle riding, winter sports, historic sites, and canoeing and kayaking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: 173 campsites across 2 camping areas, including RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance gate — Visitor Center/Entrance Station | Daily | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
| Office | Not stated | 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Visitor Center/Entrance Station: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Daily
Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM M-F
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Pets
Pets are allowed at most state parks and must be on a leash at all times. Only service dogs are allowed at Rio Grande Nature Center and Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Parks.
Statewide rule from New Mexico's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, statewide flat rates with resident/non-resident pricing (since Jan 1, 2025): NM resident day-use $5 (residents exempt Oct 1 – Apr 30), non-resident $10; walk-in/bicycle no charge. Camping per night: primitive $10 resident / $15 non-resident; developed $15 / $20; utility fees water $5, electric $10, sewer $5. Federal passes not accepted.
Statewide fee rule from New Mexico's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
New Mexico park passes
- Annual Day-Use Pass/Permit (ADU) — New Mexico resident — $75. Day-use entry, calendar year (expires Dec 31) Details
- Annual Day-Use Pass/Permit (ADU) — non-resident — $150. Day-use entry, calendar year Details
- Annual Camping Permit (ACP) — New Mexico resident — $300. Camping (resident only; proof of NM ID and plate) Details
- Lifetime Veterans pass (NM veteran with 50%+ disability) — No charge Details
From the New Mexico state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-664-7787
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground Facilities 173 Developed Campsites; 144 W+ E Sites; 8 W+E+S Full Hookup Sites; Water in Campground; RV Dump Station; Group Campsites | 173 | 144 W+ E Sites; 8 W+E+S Full Hookup Sites; Water in Campground | — |
| Primitive Camping Beach Camping; Boat-in Camping | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Campground Facilities: 173 Developed Campsites; 144 W+ E Sites; 8 W+E+S Full Hookup Sites; Water in Campground; RV Dump Station; Group Campsites
Primitive Camping: Beach Camping; Boat-in Camping
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCanoeing and kayakingWinter sportsCampingFishingHuntingPicnickingSnorkeling and scubaSwimmingHikingBikingWildlife viewing and birdingOff-highway vehiclesHistoric sites and tours
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park trails (total) | 15 mi | — | 15 Miles; Hiking; Mt Biking; Interpretive Trails; Accessible Trails; Volleyball; Wildlife Viewing; Birding; Prohibited Activities; Metal Detecting; OHV / ATV Use; Drone Use |
Trail descriptions from the park
Trails: 15 Miles; Hiking; Mt Biking; Interpretive Trails; Accessible Trails; Volleyball; Wildlife Viewing; Birding; Prohibited Activities; Metal Detecting; OHV / ATV Use; Drone Use
Boating and paddling
Boating: Motorized; Non-motorized; Canoe/Kayak/Board; Personal Watercraft; Sailing; Water Skiing; Camping; Education Programs
Boating Facilities: Boat Dock; Boat Ramp; Boat Rentals; Marina
Fishing
Fishing: Accessible Pier; Guides/Outfitters; Hunting; Picnicking; Scuba Diving; Swimming
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Marina or boat slips
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
Accessibility
- Accessible trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible trails
Accessible Pier; Accessible Trails
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 101 Hwy 195
Elephant Butte, NM 87935 - Nearest town
- Elephant Butte
- Coordinates
- 33.1822, -107.2107
- Phone
- (575) 744-5923
- jonathin.horsley@emnrd.nm.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Entrance gate: Daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- New Mexico State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 21, 2026
- WordPress REST API: child pages of the official 'Find a Park' page (35 pages), plus coordinates from that page's map pins
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology