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SANTA FE - As the summer season kicks off the Memorial Day weekend, recreation conditions for hiking, fishing, boating and other activities at many of New Mexico's 34 State Parks are superb for visitors. Several of the state's largest lakes have excellent lake levels for the year-including Navajo Lake State Park, Ute Lake State Park, El Vado Lake State Park and Santa Rosa Lake State Park. In addition, numerous state parks are planning special programs for visitors over the holiday weekend, including "Star Parties" offered at five state parks across New Mexico.
"Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to discover-or rediscover-state parks," said Dave Simon, Director of New Mexico State Parks. "With gas prices still on the rise, State Parks is New Mexico's best recreation value close to home. And we are laying out a fine welcome mat for our visitors this weekend, who will find improved facilities and exciting programs in many places."
New Mexico's second largest park, Navajo Lake, is expected to be at 88 percent of authorized storage capacity, based on the Interstate Stream Commission's projected reservoir levels for the Memorial Weekend; and the park is expected to remain at the 75 percent capacity level until Labor Day weekend.
Ute Lake will retain between 89 to 91 percent of its storage capacity throughout the summer until Labor Day weekend, because it is not affected by irrigation demands. Like many parks, Ute Lake's reservation-only sites are booked; however, numerous first come first serve developed sites are still available, in addition to dozens of primitive camping sites.
Heron Lake State Park's scenic lake will open its new dock in time for Memorial weekend, which is designed to tolerate lower water levels. The quiet, no wake lake is the ideal location for visitors seeking a relaxing weekend with family or friends.
State Parks' southern parks will also offer plenty of activities and excellent recreation conditions throughout the Memorial weekend as well. Santa Rosa Lake's reservoir will hover around 70 percent from the Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, providing optimal boating and fishing conditions. Pancho Villa State Park's new 7,000-square foot museum, with exhibits from the 1916 Pancho Villa raid will be open for visitors. Bottomless Lakes State Park will host an "Enchanted Evenings" event on May 27, which will offer visitors a presentation about the rare but resilient ecosystem of the Chihuahuan Desert.
New Mexico's largest park, Elephant Butte Lake State Park, and nearby Caballo Lake State Park are two weekend destinations that have been granted a special exception to the recent statewide fire restrictions. The exception allows cooking or heating devices using kerosene, white gas or propane in an improved camping area that is cleared of all flammable vegetation for at least 150 feet, or that has a nearby water source.
State Parks will also offer five free "star parties" this weekend for visitors interested in night sky viewing. Star parties will be held at the following locations during the Memorial Weekend: Cimarron Canyon State Park, May 30; City of Rocks State Park, May 27; El Vado Lake State Park May 28; Oasis State Park, May 27 and Sugarite State Park, May 29. Sugarite will also offer tours of its historic coal camp during "Coal Camp Days," on May 27. In addition to star parties, State Parks plans to offer numerous activities, promotions and events throughout the summer.
Reservations are recommended, though numerous primitive and developed sites are available at the parks on a first come first serve basis. Visitors are advised to log onto http://www.nmparks.com or call 888-NMPARKS (888-667-2757) for information pertaining to reservations, fees, special events, fire restrictions and park hours.
Sarah Robarts
sarah@ballantinespr.com
310-454-3080 Tel.
310 570 7355 Cell
http://www.ballantinespr.com
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