Elephant Butte Reservoir

Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir are features of the Rio Grande Project, located on the Rio Grande 125 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Recreation at the reservoir is managed by New Mexico State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, and the recreation area is open year-round. The dam, constructed between 1911 and 1916, was a major engineering feat in its day and created the 36,000-acre reservoir, which is 40 miles long with more than 200 miles of shoreline. The enormous concrete dam is the major feature of the Elephant Butte National Register Historic District, and New Mexico State Parks operates a visitor center containing information on its construction. This is the largest reservoir and the largest state park in New Mexico. Fishing opportunities include striped bass, white bass, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye and catfish, and the best fishing is late April through August. There are over 200 camping and picnicking sites, three developed camps on the lake, concession-operated marinas and stores. Access roads are good. The nearest full-service community is Truth or Consequences, 7 miles south, and the smaller town of Elephant Butte sits adjacent to the state park.