Plan a Hike at a New Mexico State Park Near You on National Trails Day, June 1

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 31 May 2019 31 May 2019

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico State Parks will host various hikes throughout the state and a mountain bike ride near Raton in recognition of National Trails Day, Saturday, June 1. Join us at the following parks to get your hike on! Hikers are encouraged to bring walking shoes, water, a hat, sunscreen, and snacks for their enjoyment.

8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs, NM:

Meet at Leasburg Dam State Park Visitor Center for a ranger guided tour of exhibits and a 2.5 mile hike. Learn about the Native American inhabitants of the area from the present to the Pleistocene! Bring at least 2 quarts of water per person, and good hiking shoes. The tour is free with a valid park permit. Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: Arthur Benavidez 575-524-4068 

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM:

Grin and "Bear" It! This is a 12-mile mountain bike ride on single-track and multi-use trails. Starting from Sugarite Canyon State Park Visitor Center, mountain bikers will cross over Chicorica Creek via a 50-foot steel bridge, traveling north along Lake Alice Trail. Riders will pass the historic Sugarite Coal Camp Town once occupied by 1,000 miners and their families. Continuing north they will pass Lake Alice and Lake Alice Campground. From Lake Alice, riders will jump onto the Lake-to-Lake Trail, which will take them up to Lake Maloya. From there, riders will head west over the dam and hop onto the Opportunity Trail/Ponderosa Ridge Trail system. These trails will take riders around the base of Little Horse Mesa. Once they have completed the six-mile loop, riders will travel back down the canyon to the Visitor Center. After the ride there will be burgers, hot dogs and drinks for the weary riders. The ride starts at nearly 7,000 feet of elevation and tops out at about 8,000 feet.  Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: Robert McIvor 575-445-5607 

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Clayton Lake State Park, Clayton, NM:

Volunteers from the community are asked to come out and join us to help enhance the Nature Trail. 
Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: Mark Funk 575-374-8808 

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus, NM:

National Trails Day activities at the park include a Trail Clean up, Scavenger Hunt, an educational program about the Chihuahuan Desert, as well as tours of the Park Museum. Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: Jonathin Horsley 575-531-2711.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Villanueva State Park, Villanueva, NM:

Villanueva State Park will be recognizing National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1st with a guided hike to the Viewpoint Trail starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Visitor Center. Bring a hat, water and walking shoes. This is a 2.2-mile hike and is considered moderate/difficult.  Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: Sam Encinias 575-421-2957. 

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Cimarron Canyon State Park, Cimarron, NM:

Meet at the Clear Creek Trail Head on Saturday, June 1st at 9:00 a.m.  This is a 2-mile guided hike.  Terrain is rocky; several creek crossings with boards and waterfalls along the way! Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: Janet Alton 575-377-3010.

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Navajo Lake State Park, Navajo Dam, NM:

Join us for a guided hike and visit the Navajo Pueblito.  Meet at Simon Canyon parking area, located at the end of CR 4280 near the Cottonwood Campground.  The trail length is 1.75 miles and is considered easy to moderate.  Regular park entrance fees apply. Contact: 505-632-2278.

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