Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Elephant Butte Lake State Park, centered on New Mexico's largest reservoir, is the state's most popular outdoor recreation destination, drawing over 1 million visitors annually to its 36,500-acre lake in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. Created by Elephant Butte Dam on the Rio Grande in 1916, the lake is a dramatic turquoise presence in the surrounding red and tan desert landscape — a visual contrast that makes it one of the most photogenic state parks in the Southwest. Boating, fishing, swimming, and camping are the primary activities, and the park is equipped with extensive facilities to support all of them.

The fishing at Elephant Butte is world-class. The lake consistently produces large-mouth bass, striped bass, white bass, walleye, and channel catfish, and it hosts major bass tournaments throughout the year. The striper fishery is particularly notable — Elephant Butte produces some of the largest striped bass caught in fresh water anywhere in the United States. Boat ramps, marina facilities, fishing guides, and rental equipment are readily available at the town of Elephant Butte adjacent to the park.

The developed recreational area features sandy beaches, a boat marina, several RV campgrounds, and a network of trails along the lake's rocky shoreline. The nearby town of Truth or Consequences offers natural hot spring spas, restaurants, and additional lodging for those wanting more amenities. Elephant Butte is an excellent add-on to a Kiva stay for guests wanting to experience both the wildlife richness of the northern Rio Grande Valley and the recreational pleasures of the southern New Mexico lake country.