Oasis State Park

Oasis State Park contains 193 acres, 3 acres of which is Oasis Pond. This is a true desert oasis set amid cottonwood trees and shifting sand dunes. The pond is stocked with rainbow trout for the winter, channel catfish for the summer. The pond is also a stop along the route for many migratory birds including quail, great blue heron and western sandpiper.

Oasis State Park offers a visitor center with nearby playground, group picnic shelter and 23 developed campsites, most of which offer electric hookups. The camping areas have central restrooms and showers, the park has a central RV dump station. Activities available include fishing, picnicking, wildlife watching and hiking (there are two interpretive trails on the property).

The Oasis State Park entry gate is open 24 hours a day, every day. To get there, go north from Portales on New Mexico Highway 467 for 6.5 miles to the park entrance. Oasis State Park is close to the Blackwater Draw archaeological site.

Fees: Day-use: $5 per vehicle; Pedestrians and bicyclists get in free. Camping: Primitive sites: $8 per site per night. Developed sites: $10 per site per night. Developed site with either electric or sewer: $14 per site per night. Developed site with both electric and sewer: $18 per site per night. Water hookups aren't always available but when they are, they're free.