Rockhound State Park

Rockhound State Park is a desert oasis, hosting hiking trails, natural rock formations, gardens, and several overnight opportunities among its diverse offerings. Overnight guests can choose from a total of 52 campsites in Rockhound State Park. Of these, 29 are fully developed, meaning they're perfect for a recreational camper or vehicle. These developed sites all come complete with electrical and plumbing hookups, as well as a concrete parking pad, fire ring, and picnic table. 

A dump station is offered just outside of the main entrance to the campgrounds. If you're coming with a tent, there are a further 23 primitive sites that you can enjoy. These sites also come with a picnic table and fire ring and are centered around a batch of public restrooms and coin-operated showers. Group campsites are also available on request, which can sleep up to 12 and feature two concrete parking pads. If you decide to bring a dog or two along for an overnight stay, you'll have to make sure you keep them on a sturdy leash throughout your stay.

If you're a trailblazer, Rockhound State Park offers three miles of interpretive trails from which you can observe several of the rock formations that surround this rare piece of New Mexico scenery. The trails here are all either paved or built with elevated boardwalks to avoid the snake populations that live here. Make sure to bring your binoculars as well, as the entire area is famous for its exotic bird populations. 

Dogs are permitted on the paved trails but are barred from coming along on the elevated trails, as the snake populations present a real danger to canines. There's also a visitor's center here that hosts educational programs throughout the year. For more information on these free public programs, make sure to visit the New Mexico State park's website. Sorry dog lovers, but the visitor's center is off-limits to pets unless otherwise noted.