Campground Reviews › New Mexico

Villanueva State Park

State Park New Mexico

Visited October 2013

Entrance sign for Villanueva State Park

Villanueva State Park is located south of Las Vegas, NM, in a canyon through which flows the Pecos River. Besides camping, the park offers opportunities for fishing and hiking.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon in mid-October and found several sites available, some with, some without hookups. — We arrived on a Saturday afternoon in mid-October and found several sites available, some with, some without hookups. Since we were expecting a chilly night, we opted for site 10B with electricity.

Greetings from

Villanueva State Park

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon in mid-October and found several sites available, some with, some without hookups. Since we were expecting a chilly night, we opted for site 10B with electricity.

Ribbit! The WxToad

Around the campground

The next day we were able to move to a little more private site, 9A, across the road and backing to the river. — The next day we were able to move to a little more private site, 9A, across the road and backing to the river. This picture was taken from across the river.

Site 20 B is located near the river.

Sites 22B and 23B.

Site 17B is a large back-in site along the river.

14B and 16B share a cul-de-sac; 14B is the site in back closer to the river.

There is a group site situated around a large shelter. — There is a group site situated around a large shelter. There are hookups for 2 rigs.

4A is smaller site suitable for tenting or pop-ups.

9A is a nice site backing to the river.

Sites 11A and 12A are essentially a large shared site; the electric box is located behind the sign.

El Cerro is a separate loop atop a hill. — El Cerro is a separate loop atop a hill. There are 10 sites up there, no hookups, but with central water and vault toilets available. This is 31C, which affords a great view down the canyon.

Site 21 C is another of the El Cerro sites.

The bathhouse offers free hot showers. — The bathhouse offers free hot showers. The showers have the push-to-use button, so as not to waste water.

There is a small visitors center with information about the park and area, as well as some displays of artifacts... — There is a small visitors center with information about the park and area, as well as some displays of artifacts found when the park was built in 1967.

There is a playground for the kids and a volleyball court.

At the far end of the campground, a trails follows the river downstream into the canyon.

Near the middle of the campground there is a footbridge over the river that gives access to a two-mile loop trail... — Near the middle of the campground there is a footbridge over the river that gives access to a two-mile loop trail that climbs to the top of the canyon.

There are a few steep pitches, but all in all, it's not too strenuous.

At the summit is a picnic area with several cabanas and a great view of the meandering Pecos River.

From the top of the canyon one has a great overall view of the campground.

The trail follows the top of the canyon wall about half a mile before it descends back to the river.

Along the way we came across this fellow taking the morning sun.

Nearby campgrounds

Santa Rosa Lake State ParkNM · 40 miles away

Coyote Creek State ParkNM · 63 miles away

Kirtland AFB FAMCAMPNM · 70 miles away

Echo AmphitheaterNM · 101 miles away

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