Top state parks
State ParkFort Stanton
State ParkClayton Lake State Park
State ParkCity of Rocks State Park
State ParkBluewater Lake State Park
State ParkBottomless Lakes State Park
State ParkBrantley Lake State Park
State ParkRio Grande Nature Center State Park
State ParkRockhound State Park
State ParkElephant Butte Lake State Park
State ParkSanta Rosa Lake State Park
State ParkOliver Lee Memorial State Park
State ParkVietnam Veterans Memorial State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (20)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Stanton | Lincoln County | — | Capitan | 2 |
| Clayton Lake State Park | Union County | — | Clayton | 1 |
| City of Rocks State Park | Luna County | — | Hurley | 2 |
| Bluewater Lake State Park | Cibola County | — | Thoreau | 2 |
| Bottomless Lakes State Park | Chaves County | — | Dexter | 3 |
| Brantley Lake State Park | Eddy County | — | La Huerta | 2 |
| Rio Grande Nature Center State ParkPetroglyph | Bernalillo County | — | Lee Acres | 7 |
| Rockhound State Park | Luna County | — | Columbus | 2 |
| Elephant Butte Lake State Park | Sierra County | — | Elephant Butte | 2 |
| Santa Rosa Lake State Park | Guadalupe County | — | Santa Rosa | 2 |
| Oliver Lee Memorial State Park | Otero County | — | Boles Acres | 3 |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park | Colfax County | — | Angel Fire | 2 |
| Sugarite Canyon State Park | Colfax County | — | Raton | 3 |
| Oasis State Park | Roosevelt County | — | Portales | 3 |
| Cimarron Canyon State Park | Colfax County | — | Angel Fire | 1 |
| Fenton Lake State Park | Sandoval County | — | Jemez Pueblo | 2 |
| Eagle Nest Lake State Park | Colfax County | — | Angel Fire | 1 |
| Cerrillos Hills State Park | Santa Fe County | — | La Cienega | 3 |
| Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park | Doña Ana County | — | Las Cruces | 7 |
| Caballo Lake State Park | Sierra County | — | Truth or Consequences | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.