Villanueva State Park - Las Vegas, NM

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Villanueva State Park


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Villanueva State Park is a riverside park nestled in a canyon of red and yellow sandstone cliffs near a Spanish-colonial village of Villanueva. Towering cottonwoods and a variety of other native trees and shrubs add additional color to the landscape. The park's adobe-style picnic shelters were designed and grouped to resemble a Spanish hamlet, similar to those that existed in the area in earlier times.

A footbridge gives hikers access to trails leading along the river to other sites. The park has two maintained hiking trails. The Canyon Trail is a 2.5-mile loop from the river to the top of the canyon and back to the river. Hikers cross a bridge over the Pecos River and turn (south), heading gradually up the canyon wall. The trail gives good views down to the river, and also has two interpretive signs part way up the side of the canyon. One discusses ruins of a nineteenth-century Spanish colonial threshing floor, used in processing grain. The other describes the Texas/Santa Fe expedition of 1841, which passed through this area.

Fishing in the Pecos River is best from fall through spring, when the river is stocked with rainbow trout, and German brown trout. The river is open to canoeing whenever the water level is high enough.

Facilities: Villanueva State Park offers 34 developed sites, and another 12 sites that are full hook-up. Picnic tables and restrooms are also provided.

Reservations: No reservations are needed to camp at this state park.

Best Time To Visit: Unknown

Fees: A day usage fee and an overnight camping fee do apply.

Accessibility: The restrooms, picnic tables, and playground are handicap accessible.

Rules: Know all park rules and regulations, which are posted in the park.

Drive only on designated roadways and obey posted speed limits.

Camp only in designated areas.

Keep pets on leashes.

Do not feed the wildlife.

Be aware that vandalizing, defacing, or removing antiquities, minerals, plants or wildlife is absolutely prohibited.

Bring and drink ample water, at least one gallon per day per person, and allow for the extreme heat of the desert in the summer.

Directions: To get to Villanueva State Park from Las Vegas, take I-25 south for 23 miles to exit 323, and then go 15 miles south on NM 3.

Attractions Near
Villanueva State Park

Canyon Trail
El Cerro Campground
Pecos River

Address

Villanueva State Park

P.O. Box 40

Villanueva, New Mexico 87583

Phone
General: (505) 421-2957

Website

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