New Mexico has no shortage of beautiful places. A stroll through any wild part of the state or park shows off the state’s allure, ranging from lush mountainsides to stark desert views. If you’re on the lookout for lesser-known locations that illuminate New Mexico’s lovely side, check out our list of underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico. You’re bound to be impressed by the options!

  1. Bottomless Lakes State Park

David Hartzell/Google This state park is a short drive from Roswell and is named for its sinkhole lakes. Sorry to burst your bubble but these aren’t bottomless; the deepest lake extends down 90 feet. This is a nice spot for water sports and one of the sinkholes is a local swimming spot. Address: 545 Bottomless Lakes Rd, Roswell, NM 88203 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Bottomless Lakes State Park, 545A Bottomless Lakes Rd, Roswell, NM 88201, USA

  1. Cimarron Canyon State Park

Sarah Richter/Flickr Next up on our list of the most underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico is Cimarron Canyon State Park. Located a short distance off the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in northern New Mexico, this is a lovely quiet area. You’ll find beautiful views, lots of hiking trails, and areas for fishing. Address: 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Cimarron Canyon State Park, 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718, USA

  1. Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park

Jonathon Foley/Google Sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande in Las Cruces, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is a small spot that is rich in wildlife. It is perfect for strolling through the wetlands to spot a variety of birds or simply enjoying a nature walk. Address: 5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA

  1. Manzano Mountains State Park

JC Adam/Google Located about 1.5 hours southeast of Albuquerque, this state park is a remote spot in the Manzano Mountains. You’ll find a small campsite plus miles of trails. Address: Co Rd B062, Mountainair, NM 87036 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Manzano Mountains State Park, Co Rd B062, Mountainair, NM 87036, USA

  1. Morphy Lake State Park

Helen Deanna Sandoval/Google Morphy Lake State Park is a small, remote place sitting on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is currently closed for renovations to the dam here but once it reopens next year, you’ll want to stop by for fishing, canoeing, and other nature activities. Address: Morphy Lake Road, Mora, NM 87732 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Morphy Lake State Park, Murphy Lake Rd, Mora, NM 87732, USA

  1. Sugarite Canyon State Park

Ray Wilson/Google Sugarite Canyon State Park sits on the grounds of a historic mining camp from the early 1900s here in the Rocky Mountains. You can explore the ruins still standing and hike miles of trails along lakes and creeks. Address: 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Sugarite Canyon State Park, 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740, USA

  1. Villanueva State Park

Mike Pacelli/Google Last up on our list of beautiful yet underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico is Villanueva State Park. Villanueva State Park is located about one hour southeast of Santa Fe and is one gorgeous place. It sits along the Pecos River and is filled with cottonwoods and other trees. This place is perfect for hiking, fishing, and camping, plus the kids can enjoy a playground by the campgrounds. Address: 135 Dodge Dr, Villanueva, NM 87583 Details: New Mexico State Parks website Villanueva State Park, 135 Dodge Dr, Villanueva, NM 87583, USA

New Mexico truly is the Land of Enchantment, isn’t it? Do you have a favorite remote spot to visit? Feel free to share it or another one of your favorite state parks to visit in New Mexico in the comments below or on our Facebook page. As always, we’d love to hear from you!

David Hartzell/Google

This state park is a short drive from Roswell and is named for its sinkhole lakes. Sorry to burst your bubble but these aren’t bottomless; the deepest lake extends down 90 feet. This is a nice spot for water sports and one of the sinkholes is a local swimming spot. Address: 545 Bottomless Lakes Rd, Roswell, NM 88203 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Bottomless Lakes State Park, 545A Bottomless Lakes Rd, Roswell, NM 88201, USA

Sarah Richter/Flickr

Next up on our list of the most underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico is Cimarron Canyon State Park. Located a short distance off the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in northern New Mexico, this is a lovely quiet area. You’ll find beautiful views, lots of hiking trails, and areas for fishing. Address: 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Cimarron Canyon State Park, 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718, USA

Jonathon Foley/Google

Sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande in Las Cruces, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is a small spot that is rich in wildlife. It is perfect for strolling through the wetlands to spot a variety of birds or simply enjoying a nature walk. Address: 5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA

JC Adam/Google

Located about 1.5 hours southeast of Albuquerque, this state park is a remote spot in the Manzano Mountains. You’ll find a small campsite plus miles of trails. Address: Co Rd B062, Mountainair, NM 87036 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Manzano Mountains State Park, Co Rd B062, Mountainair, NM 87036, USA

Helen Deanna Sandoval/Google

Morphy Lake State Park is a small, remote place sitting on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is currently closed for renovations to the dam here but once it reopens next year, you’ll want to stop by for fishing, canoeing, and other nature activities. Address: Morphy Lake Road, Mora, NM 87732 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Morphy Lake State Park, Murphy Lake Rd, Mora, NM 87732, USA

Ray Wilson/Google

Sugarite Canyon State Park sits on the grounds of a historic mining camp from the early 1900s here in the Rocky Mountains. You can explore the ruins still standing and hike miles of trails along lakes and creeks. Address: 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Sugarite Canyon State Park, 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740, USA

Mike Pacelli/Google

Last up on our list of beautiful yet underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico is Villanueva State Park. Villanueva State Park is located about one hour southeast of Santa Fe and is one gorgeous place. It sits along the Pecos River and is filled with cottonwoods and other trees. This place is perfect for hiking, fishing, and camping, plus the kids can enjoy a playground by the campgrounds. Address: 135 Dodge Dr, Villanueva, NM 87583 Details: New Mexico State Parks website

Villanueva State Park, 135 Dodge Dr, Villanueva, NM 87583, USA

Ready to take a look at a few other wonderful natural spots around the state? If you enjoy stargazing, you may appreciate some of New Mexico’s darkest skies. Read about some places to visit in These Are Some Of The Darkest Places In New Mexico And You’ll Want To Visit. We’ve also compiled the Nature Lovers Definitive Guide To New Mexico’s Natural Beauty – Parks, Beaches, Hikes, And More! There’s truly something on the list for every kind of outdoor enthusiast.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

state parks to visit in New Mexico January 10, 2022 Beth C. What are the top natural wonders to visit in New Mexico? New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment for a reason – there are so many fascinating cultural sites, landmarks, cities, towns, and natural attractions to be explored. Now that you’ve learned about some of the most underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico, it’s time to dive even deeper into the state’s natural wonders. Perhaps one of the most impressive is the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness near Farmington. These fascinating, otherworldly landforms look like something from another planet. They can be found in the Four Corners region of the state, and make for an excellent day trip destination. Next up on the list would be the Capulin Volcano. Few people realize that there’s a volcano in New Mexico, let alone one that you can drive up. And yet that’s the exact experience you’ll have when you visit Capulin Volcano National Monument. At the top, you’ll find hiking trails that will lead into the mouth of the volcano. How incredible is that? Other noteworthy natural wonders in New Mexico include Tent Rocks in Cochiti, Shiprock, Valles Caldera in Jemez Springs, the White Mountain Wilderness outside of Ruidoso, the Rio Grande Gorge, Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, Carlsbad Caverns, and finally, White Sands in Almogordo. Curious to learn more about these places? Check out our previous article: The 12 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In New Mexico That Everyone Should Visit.

The OIYS Visitor Center

state parks to visit in New Mexico

January 10, 2022

Beth C.

What are the top natural wonders to visit in New Mexico? New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment for a reason – there are so many fascinating cultural sites, landmarks, cities, towns, and natural attractions to be explored. Now that you’ve learned about some of the most underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico, it’s time to dive even deeper into the state’s natural wonders. Perhaps one of the most impressive is the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness near Farmington. These fascinating, otherworldly landforms look like something from another planet. They can be found in the Four Corners region of the state, and make for an excellent day trip destination. Next up on the list would be the Capulin Volcano. Few people realize that there’s a volcano in New Mexico, let alone one that you can drive up. And yet that’s the exact experience you’ll have when you visit Capulin Volcano National Monument. At the top, you’ll find hiking trails that will lead into the mouth of the volcano. How incredible is that? Other noteworthy natural wonders in New Mexico include Tent Rocks in Cochiti, Shiprock, Valles Caldera in Jemez Springs, the White Mountain Wilderness outside of Ruidoso, the Rio Grande Gorge, Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, Carlsbad Caverns, and finally, White Sands in Almogordo. Curious to learn more about these places? Check out our previous article: The 12 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In New Mexico That Everyone Should Visit.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment for a reason – there are so many fascinating cultural sites, landmarks, cities, towns, and natural attractions to be explored. Now that you’ve learned about some of the most underrated state parks to visit in New Mexico, it’s time to dive even deeper into the state’s natural wonders. Perhaps one of the most impressive is the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness near Farmington. These fascinating, otherworldly landforms look like something from another planet. They can be found in the Four Corners region of the state, and make for an excellent day trip destination. Next up on the list would be the Capulin Volcano. Few people realize that there’s a volcano in New Mexico, let alone one that you can drive up. And yet that’s the exact experience you’ll have when you visit Capulin Volcano National Monument. At the top, you’ll find hiking trails that will lead into the mouth of the volcano. How incredible is that? Other noteworthy natural wonders in New Mexico include Tent Rocks in Cochiti, Shiprock, Valles Caldera in Jemez Springs, the White Mountain Wilderness outside of Ruidoso, the Rio Grande Gorge, Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, Carlsbad Caverns, and finally, White Sands in Almogordo. Curious to learn more about these places? Check out our previous article: The 12 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In New Mexico That Everyone Should Visit.