| City of Rocks State Park | |
|---|---|
 City of Rocks State Park | |
  Location of City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico | |
| Location | Grant, New Mexico, United States |
| Coordinates | 32°35′24″N 107°58′33″W / 32.59000°N 107.97583°W |
| Area | 1,230 acres (5.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,259 ft (1,603 m) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | New Mexico State Parks Division |
City of Rocks State Park is a state park in New Mexico, consisting of large sculptured rock formations in the shape of pinnacles or boulders rising as high as 40 feet (12 m).
The bedrock forming City of Rocks was created 34.9 million years ago by a volcanic eruption. Then over millions of years, erosion sculpted the rock formations seen today.[1] The eruption was from the Emory Caldera, centered near Hillsboro Peak at the southern end of the Black Range. The eruption was estimated to be a VEI 8 eruption,[2] and it emplaced the Kneeling Nun Tuff, a tuff bed covering an area of 314-square-mile (810 km2), which makes up the bedrock of the park.[3] The rocks formed were shaped by the weathering of ash-flow tuff, through a combination of freeze-thaw cycles and plant growth. Water enters the crevices, expands when freezing, which widens the cracks. Plant growth in the cracks also contribute to the expansion of the cracks. [4]
The Mimbreno Indians settled in the area from 750 to 1250 AD. Pottery, arrowheads, and other artifacts show evidence of prehistoric Indians in the area. The pottery they left behind included images of people and animals, along with geometric patterns that exhibited such precision that it hints at the potential involvement of mechanical tools.[5] Indian wells, or conical holes, are found in the rocks where water would be allowed to collect. The area also saw the presence of Spanish conquistadors who, during their time, carved crosses into the rocks. [6]
Chapter 110 of the 1953 Laws of New Mexico created City of Rocks State Park on March 20, 1953. This legislation provided for the lease of 640 acres (2.6 km2) of land from the Commissioner of Public Lands, New Mexico State Land Office for the purpose of a State Park and recreation area.[7]
City of Rocks State Park provides opportunities for walks, hiking, camping, rock climbing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and dark night-sky viewing (including a 14-inch (36 cm) telescope). Other features of the park include hiking trails, picnic areas and a desert botanical garden. There are 41 camping sites, with a $5 day fee, and $8-18 overnight camping fee. Annual passes are also available for $40 day pass and $180-225 for overnight camping.
The park is home to a wide range of wildlife including many species of snakes, lizards, desert tortoise, and scorpion. Squirrels, chipmunks, mountain lions, coyotes, deer, and black bears can also be spotted here. AT least 35 different bird species can be found here including the New Mexico state bird, the Roadrunner.[8]
The City of Rocks State Park is also home to two main hiking trails: the Hydra trail and the Table Mountain trail. The Hydra trail is 3.3 miles long with an elevation gain of 164ft.[9] The Table Mountain trail is 5.2 miles long with an elevation gain of 695 ft. [10]
The park is open all year. The state park is about 29 miles away from nearby city Deming, and about 30 miles away from Silver City.[11] Facilities include electrical and water hookups for camping, with restrooms and hot showers. At least 50,000 people visit the park annually.
One mile South from the perk entrance is the visitors center. The center includes murals of the wildlife and desert plants found in the state park. This building is made of stone, to blend in with its surroundings, and stands at around 20 feet tall. The center also provides books, maps, and other information for visitors.[12]
City of Rocks State Park houses the Gene and Elisabeth Simon Observatory, this was the first observatory constructed within a New Mexico state park. The observatory's creation was made possible through a donation from a nearby ranching couple, Gene and Elisabeth Simon, after whom it was named.[13]
