Elephant Butte Lake State Park, a New Mexico State Park

ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE STATE PARK

ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE STATE PARK
101 Hwy 195
Elephant Butte, New Mexico 87935

Phone: 575-744-5923
Reservations: 877-664-7787

Email:

The largest and most popular lake in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake State Park provides a setting for every imaginable water sport. The visitor center offers regional interpretive exhibits. The mild climate of the area makes this park a popular year-round destination.

History of the Area

Over 100 million years ago, the area was part of a vast shallow ocean. Once the sea receded, the area was the favorite hunting ground of the tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur. Evidence of the Rex, the largest land-dwelling predator of all time, and other species of dinosaur have been discovered in area rock formations.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

Day-UseFishingyes

Hiking Trailyes

Bike Trailsyes

Swimming Beachyes

BoatingLaunch Rampsyes

CampingPrimitiveyes

Fishing

You can enjoy fishing for species like striped bass, white bass, catfish and walleye in this park. The lake is also home to smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as crappie. Fishing options include shore-based angling or boat fishing.

Location

Elephant Butte Lake State Park is

Nearby Parks

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Picnicking

Elephant Butte Lake State Park offers numerous picnic spots with grills, tables and shelters. Some areas provide stunning lake views.

Birding

The park offers a variety of birding opportunities, with over 200 species spotted. It's home to waterfowl and shorebirds during migration seasons. Raptors such as bald eagles can be seen in winter months while summer brings swallows and flycatchers.

Birdwatchers may explore the area by boat or on foot along designated trails for optimal viewing experiences. The surrounding desert landscape also attracts unique avian life like roadrunners and quail.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

August 9 water level by Ray Carrell

water level to low,need to use other lake for irrigation.

May 25 Loved the lake

Me and my wife went to the lake for our first time as a married couple. She has never been camping there but the only thing is that it needs a little more trees the fishing was great thank you New Mexico Parks for keeping the lake clean.

April 15 A Beautiful Lake in the Desert by Paul Brian

This is a beautiful lake just outside TorC. The people are friendly and the lake is usually not to crowded. Drive up to the dam and have a look.. It is stunning.

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Directions

Elephant Butte Lake State Park headquarters are five miles north of Truth or Consequences via I-25 exit 83.

Nearby Parks

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

New Mexico State Parks

New Mexico State Parks