Santa Fe, NM – Summer is in full-swing and State Parks invites families to get outdoors and enjoy refreshing water sports and unique educational programs held throughout beautiful New Mexico. Camp with us or bring a picnic for a fun day outing. For those looking for summer fun, here are just a few state park offerings for the months of July and August.

Park Special Events

July 22, 2017 (11 a.m. – 10 p.m.) – Prairie Fest at Ute Lake State Park
Prairie Fest to include: Hawks Alive! Snake Open House; Snakes Alive! and Moon & Saturn by Telescope! Regular park entry fees apply.

July 22, 2017 (7 a.m. – 1 p.m.) – 27th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at Bottomless Lakes State Park
Come play in the sand and compete against other park visitors while building the best and most original/creative sand sculptures at Bottomless Lakes State Park/Lea Lake Recreation Area.
Regular park entry fees apply.

August 5, 2017 (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.) – 31st Annual Paddle Board Races at Bottomless Lakes State Park
Come and compete on our paddle boards against other park visitors to see who is the fastest on the water at Bottomless Lakes State Park/Lea Lake Recreation Area. Regular park entry fees apply.

August 4 -5, 2017 (5 a.m. – 5 p.m.) – 6th Annual Smith RV Open Bass Tournament at Ute Lake State Park
Bass fishing tournament at Ute Lake State Park, weigh-in at Ute Lake Marina. Regular park fees apply.

August 21, 2017 (10 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.) – Eclipse of the Sun at Sugarite Canyon State Park
Join a ranger from Sugarite Canyon State Park to observe this spectacular solar eclipse as the moon comes between our planet and our favorite star--the sun! We will observe the partial eclipse using eclipse glasses and specially filtered telescopes. (Note: New Mexico will see a partial eclipse. Other states will see a total eclipse.) Regular park entry fees apply.

Aug. 26, 2017 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) – Master of the Mountains Adventure Relay at Sugarite Canyon State Park – Starts at Lake Maloya; ends at NRA Whittington Center. Online Registration closes August 1. 2017. Please call Raton Parks & Recreation for more information at 575-445-2413.

Experience adventure at YOUR state parks! For more information, call 888-NMPARKS or visit www.nmparks.com

Bottomless Lakes State Park