Recreation: Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, New Mexico

The Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway has many varied recreational opportunities,

from developed areas to wildlands... you'll find easy access for water sports, fishing and camping, as well as more challenging fare including abundant hiking trails, undeveloped campgrounds and small wilderness lakes.

» Elephant Butte Lake State Park offers camping, boating, waterskiing, swimming, and fishing. Campsites with full hookups are available, as well as picnic facilities, group sites, primitive areas, nature trails, a playground area, and museum.

» Caballo Lake State Park and Percha Dam State Park provide camping, boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, playground areas, and nature trails.

» The Truth or Consequences Golf Course is a nine-hole city-owned and maintained course. Ratings: Men's 70.7, Women's 60.0. The Oasis Golf Course is a privately owned 18-hole course near Elephant Butte Lake State Park. Ratings: Men's 69.3, Women's 67.2. Golf packages are available through the pro shop.

»   The Emory Pass Picnic Area in the Black Range Scenic Area offers picnic tables overlooking the magnificent view of mountains to the east, south and north. Toilet, trash, grill, trailhead, parking. Picnic area facilities accommodate the differently-abled.

»   Several small campgrounds between Kingston and San Lorenzo lend primitive creekside camping nestled in the forest; picnic areas with tables and grills, parking, toilets, mountainside hiking trails.

»   The Bear Canyon Lake Recreation Area north of Mimbres is a mountain lake offering fishing, hiking, camping and picnicking.

» Wall Lake Campground is a mountain lake area with fishing, hiking, and camping.

» The Lake Roberts Recreation Area is a mountain lake offering fishing, camping, and hiking. Stores, a lodge and other facilities are in the area.

» Many Hiking Trails cross the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway; contact the Ranger Station (Black Range District, Gila National Forest) in Truth or Consequences for maps and advice.

» Gila Hot Springs is a settlement near the Gila Cliff Dwellings providing a store, camping, fishing, backpacking, hiking, and access to the Gila Wilderness.

Enjoy the nature, history, and culture of southwest New Mexico - but don't disturb the natural, historical, and cultural sites. Do not remove, destroy, or deface anything on any site; strict laws protect artifacts on State, Federal, Indian, and private lands. Buying, selling, trading, or transporting these stolen items is also illegal. Please report looting and vandalism to federal land management authorities or the local sheriff. Hide all traces of your travels as the Apache hid their passing so these wildlands may remain unspoiled, the historical sites may remain true to their history, and the developed sites may remain clean and pleasant. Thank you.