Rock hounds at Rock Hound
Where’s it at? 13 miles southeast of Deming, NM
What’s it cost? $14 for an electric site with water, $10 for a dry camp spot. $4 if you have NM State Parks Pass, $0 for dry camp.
The Low Down
I found this park quite nice and enjoyed my stay in March 2016. The temps were in the 60’s and 70’s in the day, 40’s at night, perfect in my book. My first night the very friendly camp host escorted me to the group campground which has 4 campsites, close to each other. I was the first in and 3 more rigs showed up and we all made friends and chatted about our travels. The next morning, I saw a RV headed out, so I jumped in my car and snatched #13, a ginormous site. There are 23 electric sites and about 6 are reservable, the rest are first come first serve, with a 14 max stay. Bathrooms and showers are in a very new building are great, but they are closer to the electric sites, further from the dry sites. The largest shower stall/changing area I’ve ever seen! There is a 1.2 mile walk around the perimeter of the park. You can head up the hill and do some digging for agates, geodes, and thunder eggs. There is a visitor center at the park with samples of rocks that can be found in the area. The park is dead quiet at night and the stars are amazing.
From the campground
Group Campground, holds 4 rigs with water/electric
Site #13, could have fit 3 more rigs in there, it’s huge!
What’s nearby?
About 2 miles away is Spring Canyon, which has a great hike up the end of the canyon. It is steep and rocky, has great views and very pretty. You access this trail from the end of the road at Spring Canyon. The sign says .9 miles, but the trail goes further. Plan on 2-3 hours for this hike and bring water for 2 legs and 4 legs.
On the trail in Spring Canyon
Just down the road is Spanish Stirrup Rock Shop and this is a must stop! The lady owner is very knowledgeable and will break open any rock you bring for a fee. She can identify your findings also. The selection at this shop is inspiring.
Cut slab rock.
Prized and amazing Thunder Eggs & Geodes
In Deming, there is a great locally owned grocery store, Peppers. Walmart is the only other grocery store. If you have a couple of hours, or even 1, I would definitely stop in at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum. This free museum is filled with an unbelievable collection of everything! It’s truly remarkable and I highly recommend a visit.
Museum, a must see in Deming
Have you ever seen an iron lung! For polio treatment.
Western Flair
A dentist office back in the day!
a ton of pottery.
The county courthouse is worth a drive by and there is a beautiful tree and grass park next door, great for a dog stop.
On the way into town is St. Clair Winery which has a very nice tasting room. There is a nice outdoor area that you can have dogs with you. The first 2 tastes are free, then 6 more for $6, pretty good deal. Open til 6pm every day.
The Dogs Opinion (it’s all about the dogs)
The dogs liked it, the weather was pleasant for them. They enjoyed the hike in Spring Canyon and the hike around the campground. Always nice to be out in the country! We all got shut in for an afternoon because of a dust/wind storm.
TV? I received 2 networks, PBS and a few other channels very well on an antenna.
Cell phone/Wi-Fi? Verizon 3bars on a 4g network.
Parting thoughts: Deming is not for a long stay in my opinion. The wind blows here in the spring and this area gets nasty dust storms and it’s very hot in the summer, so plan accordingly. But the State Park is a very pleasant place to stay.
My dad’s family lives near Trujillo, N.M. It’s a dream of mine to drive my girls from our home in Charlotte, N.C., to New Mexico so they can see where their heritage comes from. This would be a perfect stop!
(Glad I found you through the A to Z Challenge – Coach Daddy, #1263)