From densely-forested mountains to the sparkling white sands of the desert, New Mexico’s unique and diverse topography is breathtaking no matter where you are. Villanueva State Park offers its special experience. Tucked in high sandstone bluffs by the Pecos River, this beautiful state parks offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and much more. It’s best to make a trip of your visit to the park, with nearby attractions worth checking out as well. Here’s how to make the most out of your adventure at Villanueva State Park.
Located on the banks of the Pecos River with native cottonwood trees that create a canopy of shade, this lovely and somewhat remote park is the perfect getaway for hiking, camping, fishing, birding, swimming, picking wildflowers or just relaxing. The view from the bluff overlooking the Pecos, which flows through the valley below, is a color palette of red and yellow sandstone. At 5,600 feet, you can experience the seasonal changes—it gets cold in winter, warm in summer, and beautiful in spring and fall. With 1,600 acres, it’s a great place to wander.
Although the road into the park can be a little daunting, depending on your vehicle, once you reach the park there are two camping areas to choose from. There are 33 total camp sites, a dozen of which have electricity. Reservations are taken for some of the larger sites with hookups and those that are few pull-through. Tent camping areas near the river have adobe shelters over the picnic area. Restrooms with showers and electricity are nearby. There’s a fun playground for kids but keep in mind the mesa campground is closed in winter.
There are three miles of hiking trails with a few moderate climbs at Villanueva. The Viewpoint Loop Trail is an up-and-down that takes you along the river and up to the mesa through some sand and hard-scrabble and then loops back down to the river. Along the way there are Spanish ruins and an old grain threshing pit. El Cerro is shorter, but steeper at some points until you reach a gentle climb to an overlook. Finally, the River Trail is just that. From the lower campground, you head across a bridge for about a quarter of a mile along the banks of the Pecos, under the cottonwoods, around a couple of bends, and then turn around and head back to camp.
From the mesa campground, or if you hike to the top of the Viewpoint Loop Trail from the lower campground, there’s an overlook that provides a panoramic view of the picturesque Pecos Valley. The town of Villanueva was first named La Cuesta, which means hill in Spanish, and from this vista you’ll see the steep slopes of the hills that gave the town its name. Agriculture dominates the valley and you might spot pecan trees in the distance or rows of the famous New Mexico green chiles.
The nearby town of Villanueva, founded in the 1790s is worth spending some time in. Most of the buildings were made of adobe and many are still in fairly good shape. The first Mexican set-tlers built miles of irrigation ditches to help with farming which are still in use today. In town, stop by the Lady of Guadalupe Church built of local rock in the early 1800s, an impressive edi-fice for such a small town. Step through the hand-carved double front doors to see the 275-foot colcha, or tapestry, 41 panels hand-stitched by local women that capture the history and religious life of the community.
While in town, check out the old-fashioned general store. It’s one of those places where time seems to have stopped, a small-town, homey, neighborly mercantile where you can find things you need, and some you don’t, but you’ll always find a friendly face behind the counter. Grab a cup of hot coffee for the road. The local owners also make their own smoked beef sausage and applesauce. Be sure to ask.
