Elephant Butte DamSanta Fe, NM - New Mexico State Parks proudly joins the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and other partners in celebrating the Centennial of Elephant Butte Dam on October 19, 2016. This is the largest lake in New Mexico and is popular throughout the entire southwest for boating, fishing, and swimming with plenty of water and sandy beach!

"We are excited to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Dam and to be a part of this historic event," said Christy Tafoya, Director of New Mexico State Parks.

Elephant Butte Lake State Park was created in 1964 and has provided fantastic recreational opportunities with the highest visitation numbers of all the 35 state parks annually. For instance, Elephant Butte Lake State Park hosted more than 115,000 visitors during the 2016 Independence Day holiday weekend alone. People from across the southwest flock to the park for the special events in park - like the phenomenal fireworks display the Friends Group puts on every year for Independence Day.

New Mexico State Parks invites you to get out and celebrate 100 years at Elephant Butte Lake by fishing, boating, sailing or paddling! Enjoy the great outdoors and create memorable days on the water this fall and winter. State Park officials remind you to be aware of the weather and the hazard of falling overboard in cold water temperatures.

State Parks officials remind you to always make safety your number one priority'on land and water. Wearing lifejackets saves lives; always wear a lifejacket when you're on a boat or swimming. State Parks offers FREE boating safety classes around the state and on-line throughout the year. Boat Safe and Smart in New Mexico!

Elephant Butte Lake State Park is located midway between Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.