manzano mountains state park

This.park is about 30 miles south of I-40 east of Albuquerque. It is fairly primitive with a few hiking trails some up to 2 miles long. There is an office where you can get a trail map and map of campsites. There are 37 sites, none with water. 16 sites have electric-those are $14/night. Day use fee is $5 per car. Quiet place with great smell of pine all around.

The Spruce Spring Trail in the Wilderness area (not the State Park, but nearby) is a very nice hike through pinons and junipers. We were surprised to see cacti growing among the pines. We tried to follow the directions in Bob Julyan's Mexico's Wilderness Areas but could not find the Crest Trail to get to Gallo Peak.. We had quite a pleasant hike and encountered relatively few other hikers. It is about a 90 minute drive from Albuquerque.

If you want seclusion, this is the park for you! The sites are private, large enough rustic. My only complaint is there is no water available on your site. In fact, because of the continuing drought, the water just trickles out of the few working faucets. Therefore bring your own water, and plenty of it. Other than that, go enjoy yourself here, it's well worth the trip.

Manzano Mountains State Park is located about 15 miles north of Mountainair, NM on Highway 55. It is a lovely campground with some hiking. Great place to relax and rejuvenate. Lots of trees. There is a dump site available on site. visit the web site: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/manzanomountainsstatepark.html. Reservations are accepted. The park just reopened after a couple of years closure.

Newly re-opened, this park is clean as a whistle and has well marked hiking trails of 1 to 2 miles, plus a 3/4 mile Nature Walk. About 36 sites if you include the group areas. Some have shelters, some have electric. There is a dump station but no water hookups at each site. Secluded and quite. Park Ranger on site. Nearest town is about 20 minutes by car. Adjacent to Nat'l Park land in central New Mexico's Manzano Mountains. It snowed during our visit, so we appreciated the heated restrooms with toilets and sink, no showers.