City of Rocks State Park: Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, New Mexico

SIDE TRIP 3 to City of Rocks State Park is over 25 miles of flat desert drive. The unobservant TV-addict might even consider it boring. But with any luck, a little dust devil might kick up; that'll hold their attention. Dust devils are fun. The primary road on this Side Trip is a state-maintained highway with two 12-foot-wide paved driving lanes and intermittent shoulders. Parts of this road are in open range cattle country; note that cattle have the legal right-of-way. Safety conditions are good for the posted speed limits.
At CITY OF ROCKS STATE PARK, bizarre naturally-sculpted volcanic stone columns tower over campsites. The Mimbreno Apaches settled the area between 750 and 1250 AD, using the rock formations for shelter and protection. Pottery pieces and arrowheads are still found today. In and around the park is a variety of desert vegetation and small animals. The park offers a handicap-accessible interpretive center, showers and toilet facilities; also camping (ten sites have electrical hookups), picnic facilities, and nature trails.
	Please note that there is no gasoline available on the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway west of Truth or Consequences / Williamsburg and Elephant Butte. This is the majority of the Trail, which runs through some very remote countryside. Fill your tank before you leave! Gasoline is available on Side Trip 5; or, if you choose to follow the Alternate Loop, gas is available at Silver City. Please also note that bridges between Caballo and Hillsboro bear twelve-foot, six-inch height restrictions; and the Forest Service advises not only that trailers over twenty feet are unsafe on Forest Development Road 150, but that low-clearance / non-four-wheel-drive vehicles travel that section of the Trail at their own risk.
What's on the web about City of Rocks State Park?
(This will take you to our Links page.)
Next stop on the E-Tour: a side trip to Santa Rita Mine...
	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.