Sugarite Canyon

Open — Open year-round for camping. Reservations available up to 6 months in advance. The water system currently does not meet Safe Drinking Water Act treatment requirements; visitors should boil water for at least 3 minutes before use or bring their own drinking water.

About

Sugarite Canyon State Park sits at 6,664 feet elevation near the border of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, 6 miles northeast of Raton, New Mexico. The park encompasses 3,600 acres of diverse landscapes including three lakes, creeks, forests, and meadows. Lake Maloya, the largest at 130 acres, provides opportunities for fishing, boating, sailing, and paddling. The park offers two distinct campgrounds with 40 developed sites. Lake Alice Campground features sites with full hookups (water, electric, and sewer), water and electric hookups, and non-electric sites accommodating both RVs and tents. Little Horse Mesa Campground offers tent-only sites in a more primitive setting. Modern amenities include restrooms with showers, a dump station, and vault toilets. The park also has a group camping area and equestrian facilities with horse corrals. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound with 20 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through oak, aspen, and ponderosa pine forests. The park is known for excellent wildlife viewing including deer, elk, black bears, and numerous bird species. A historic coal mining camp with interpretive trails and a visitor center with exhibits and gift shop provide educational opportunities. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.

Directions

Take exit 452 on Interstate 25, travel east on State Highway 72 for 4 miles to its intersection with State Highway 526, travel north on State Highway 526 for 2 miles to the park entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds