Elephant Butte Lake State Park

The Elephant Butte Lake State Park offers a wide variety of watersports as its specialty, with Elephant Butte Lake offering over 1,800-acres of water to enjoy. Boating is a robust past time in Elephant Butte Lake State Park with a fully equipped marina available for public use. The marina houses a bait shop, cafe, fish cleaning facilities, and public restrooms if you need to take a break. 

In addition to the marina, there are two boat ramps available to get your watercraft into the lake. Boat rentals are offered at the marina for various prices, more information on which can be found on the New Mexico State Parks' website. Canines are allowed to accompany guests on their boats but are required to stay leashed for the duration. Canines cannot occupy any of the indoor boating structures. 

Swimming is offered throughout the year inside of small, cordoned off areas that line the lakefront. These are staffed by lifeguards during regular swimming hours, so you can feel comfortable taking a dip without concern. Canines are allowed on the beachfront as long as they stay on an 8-foot leash or shorter, and refrain from digging or leaving messes on the beaches themselves. 

Overnight guests can choose from 173 well-developed campsites that populate the Elephant Butte Lake State Park. Your furbaby is allowed to join you as long as they are kept restrained on a leash or in a crate. In addition, 144 of these sites offer both water and electrical hookups, as well as grilling facilities and a fire pit. For those guests driving RVs, a dump station is provided for free with your overnight park pass. 

If you are passing through and prefer something with fewer frills, you can choose from one of thirteen primitive sites directly on the beach. You canine is more than welcome to accompany you on your beachfront campsite, but they are unfortunately barred from entering any of the developed campgrounds. Also, RV users can have their pets stay on site provided they pay an additional fee.