Elephant Butte Lake State Park

My first disappointing New Mexico State park. Big elaborate payment area but that's it. I was told they were out of maps, and when I asked if there was a visitors center I was told that was it. No info available about trails, either. Luckily we geocache so we found a way to enjoy the scenery.

I love everything about this state park! The water, the jeep roads, camping, paddling, boating, and (again) the water! Campgrounds are very nice, boat ramps are well maintained, plenty of beach during off season or week days. Weekends and the week around holidays are very busy so it can be difficult to find spots those times.

Passed through on the way to Truth or Consequences. There seems to be 2 ways to get to it. We didn't see anybody at the ticket booths so we just drove in. I think you have to pay to camp and there were pavilions or campsites with lake views for rent for $10. We drove all the way to the sandy beach but not to the waters edge in case our SUV got stuck on the deep sand. It was pretty deserted on the beach. Kind of looks like Lake Powell but you could tell the water level was well below the norm. Couple boats partying in the water. There are outhouses but no sinks.

This is a wonderful state park! There are many amenities including camping ( primitive, electric/water) bathrooms, a playground, hiking trails, beautiful landscape views, large lake, a boat ramp and more! It's a great place to explore for families or anyone, really. The off season time is calmer, with less people and activity. Weekends and the summer are busier but still great!

Beautiful views, cheap spots, and could use more showers since some were closed for the season but the lake is beautiful.

Elephant Butte Lake is our family's favorite place to cool off! There are 2-3 marinas that rent boats, jet skis, paddleboats, and more! You can also just go down to the sand and jump in for a swim. Want to BBQ? There are several places to picnic. If you want to camp or even spend the day, check out the state park's website to reserve your site for a low price! They even have rustic cabins to rent if you want to stay at the lake and don't have a camper and aren't interested in pitching a tent. There is a price to enter - as is true with any state park - but it is well worth it! There are so many places to make your spot on the lake that you don't have to worry about feeling crowded. However, you may have to walk far to the beach and the sun can be hot so bring appropriate shoes and plenty of sunscreen! This is not a place where you will find shade!

The best body of water for fishing, swimming, sun bathing, water skiing, water jets... its endless. The drive from El Paso is about 2 hours but well worth the drive.My husband is an avid fisherman where as i am an avid tanning-in-the-sun woman. We love how much cooler the area is around here and the fishing is almost always better than Hide Away Lake. Theres the state park side which most people go to and pay. But we go thru the back side thats also accessible to the lake which has no fee. Its more off roading over lots of rocks to park directly by the lake but therrs also a nice flat road area that leads to the dock for parking. Its beautiful out here. We love to bring our portable grill to bbq and stay late with a bonfire you can start up right by the shore. Great times at the Butte!

Lake is beautiful from the top. The dirt road was quite dusty when driving towards the lake. A place for the locals. Not a place where you would find yachts. It costs $5 for entrance fee.

I discovered Elephant Butte because of driving back to Tucson, AZ from Albuquerque, NM.We decided to stop by even with the pups and was pleasantly surprised. This lake is actually quite large with lots of camping areas on and off the beach. You just pay the small fee and can drive anywhere your car allows. They have port a potties located on the beach and more areas off the beach with restrooms.They also have a large boat section. "Elephant Butte Lake can accommodate watercraft of many styles and sizes: kayaks, jet skis, pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers, and houseboats." - http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/elephantbuttelakestatepark.htmlIf you're traveling or want to travel I would recommend this place because it does look very nice for a weekend get a way or even just a day pass.

First thing that needs improvement is the signage at the park entrance. Larger maps of the campgrounds and locations would be helpful to those of us that have never been here. The actual site was adequate but the bathrooms and showers could use some deep cleaning. The sinks in the Monticello campground did not work at all and the showers were full of sand. Albeit for the price it was what I might expect.