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Articles Campers Corner USA West
CITY OF ROCKS, NEW MEXICO, USA – Even from a distance, New Mexico’s City of Rocks State Park looks other worldly – rows of monolithic blocks rising majestically up from the Mimbres Valley of the Chihuahuan desert. Rock formations like these tuffs -- formed of volcanic ash from an explosion 1000 times larger than Mount St. Helens and welded together 35 million years ago, then sculpted by wind and water -- exist in only six other places in the world.
New Mexico visitors have a chance to get up close and personal with this unique terrain. Sixty-two campsites for tents or RVs are scattered in and among the spectacular rock formations. The whole family will have looking for formations within the rocks – houses, chimneys, various animals – the imagination is a powerful force.
The best part of camping here happens at night when you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular starscapes the planet has to offer, with zero light pollution. Southern New Mexico is famous for its clear night skies and once a month the City of Rocks State Park offers guests the chance to explore the skies in its astronomical observatory-- a 12’ x 16’ building with a roll-off roof and is equipped with a 14" Meade LX-200 telescope. The entire facility is solar-powered and includes a 20-inch monitor, which enables visitors to view images of the planets, stars and constellations transmitted through the telescope.
Even if you can’t stay, a day trip to the park offers great hiking, bird watching, and picnicking opportunities. Climb on the rocks and wander through the park’s botanical garden. Wildlife abounds with mule deer, roadrunners, javelinas, cactus wrens, western diamondback rattlesnakes, ground squirrels, coyotes and jackrabbits all making their home here.
The Mimbres Indians roamed this area until 1200 AD, leaving arrowheads and pottery shards behind. The park also lies within the traditional homelands of the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache. Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in 1500 and mule trains loaded with copper from the nearby Santa Rita mine passed nearby on their way to Chihuahua from 1804 to 1834. After the Mexican War of 1846-48, the Mormon Battalion blazed a trail south of the park to link newly acquired New Mexico and Arizona with the eastern United States. Some time spent in the park’s visitor’s center will get you up to speed with the park’s history and unique geology.
For more information about the City of Rock State Park call 575-536-2800. or visit their website at www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm.
In addition to the primitive campsites among the rocks, the City of Rocks State Park also has 10 spots with electrical hookups.
Camping in New Mexico state parks represents one of the best bargains on the road for thrifty RVers! Buy an annual camping pass for just $225.00 (for non-residents, as of this writing in 2009). NM residents pay just $180.00 and seniors and veterans just $100.00 for a year of unlimited tent or RV camping. Where available, pay just $4.00 a night more for electrical hookups.
For more information about visiting this area in general, contact the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau at 211 N. Water St. in Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001. Call them at 575-541-2444 or visit their website at www.LasCrucesCVB.org.
Articles Campers Corner USA West
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New Mexico visitors have a chance to get up close and personal with this unique terrain. Sixty-two campsites for tents or RVs are scattered in and among the spectacular rock formations. The whole family will have looking for formations within the rocks – houses, chimneys, various animals – the imagination is a powerful force.
The best part of camping here happens at night when you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular starscapes the planet has to offer, with zero light pollution. Southern New Mexico is famous for its clear night skies and once a month the City of Rocks State Park offers guests the chance to explore the skies in its astronomical observatory-- a 12’ x 16’ building with a roll-off roof and is equipped with a 14" Meade LX-200 telescope. The entire facility is solar-powered and includes a 20-inch monitor, which enables visitors to view images of the planets, stars and constellations transmitted through the telescope.
Even if you can’t stay, a day trip to the park offers great hiking, bird watching, and picnicking opportunities. Climb on the rocks and wander through the park’s botanical garden. Wildlife abounds with mule deer, roadrunners, javelinas, cactus wrens, western diamondback rattlesnakes, ground squirrels, coyotes and jackrabbits all making their home here.
The Mimbres Indians roamed this area until 1200 AD, leaving arrowheads and pottery shards behind. The park also lies within the traditional homelands of the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache. Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in 1500 and mule trains loaded with copper from the nearby Santa Rita mine passed nearby on their way to Chihuahua from 1804 to 1834. After the Mexican War of 1846-48, the Mormon Battalion blazed a trail south of the park to link newly acquired New Mexico and Arizona with the eastern United States. Some time spent in the park’s visitor’s center will get you up to speed with the park’s history and unique geology.
Practicalities
For more information about the City of Rock State Park call 575-536-2800. or visit their website at www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/cityrocks.htm.
In addition to the primitive campsites among the rocks, the City of Rocks State Park also has 10 spots with electrical hookups.
Camping in New Mexico state parks represents one of the best bargains on the road for thrifty RVers! Buy an annual camping pass for just $225.00 (for non-residents, as of this writing in 2009). NM residents pay just $180.00 and seniors and veterans just $100.00 for a year of unlimited tent or RV camping. Where available, pay just $4.00 a night more for electrical hookups.
For more information about visiting this area in general, contact the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau at 211 N. Water St. in Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001. Call them at 575-541-2444 or visit their website at www.LasCrucesCVB.org.
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