This Place Will Rock You

City of Rocks State Park, New Mexico

By Larry Tobin

There are places so intriguing that you’ll keep returning to them throughout your life. City of Rocks State Park near Silver City, NM is that sort of place. Even if I moved far away, or to another country, I’d still come back to camp here at least once each year.

Situated halfway between Deming and Silver City, New Mexico, this state park is open year round. Though visited by many, it always retains a cozy, private feel—like a personal playground.

In fact. “Playground of Rocks” would be a better name. This one-square-mile park consists of hundreds of unique formation of large sculptured rocks rising up to 40 feet high. Formed from the eruption of volcanoes millions of years ago, these sculptured columns are all that remain.

It is rock-climbing child’s dream, and absolutely magical on a full-moon night. It is easily one of the most memorable campgrounds in the Southwest United States.

The park is located off of US Highway 180, 27 miles north of Deming, New Mexico, and 31 miles south of Silver City. Signs on the highway will direct you east on State Route 61 for three miles, then north on a small road that becomes the entrance to the park.

Though this landscape may appear barren to the uninitiated, this is a land of ocotillo, agave, yuccas and desert willow. You’ll listen to owls throughout the night, together with 30 other variety of birds: eagles, hawks, finches and wrens. Listening to coyotes all night is a certainty, just as you’ll see jackrabbits and cottontails darting among the rocks throughout the day.

This is the ancient territory of the Mimbres Indians, as evidenced by the arrowheads and pottery shards on display in the visitor’s center and the wonderful museum in Deming. Later inhabitants included the Apache and the Spanish who came to mine copper in the Silver City area, just north of the park.

Even as you travel the final stretch into the park, you’ll have little hint of the wondrous rock formations that appear before you at the top of ridge. Like a rising cityscape to a weary ocean traveler, the tedium of the desert terrain is broken by monoliths rising from the flat plains.

Remarkably, this initial vision is further enhanced by a beautiful, new triangular shaped Visitor Center that greets you. It is difficult to imagine that a man-made structure could weave into this tapestry so seamlessly, but it actually does.

Scattered beyond the Visitor’s Center, throughout the small area, are hundreds of upright rock formations, each with a shape and personality all its own. The pathways that weave between these beautiful formations resemble city streets to some. To me, they resemble more a well laid out playground, wandering you effortlessly from one marvelous play structure to the next.

The campsites are arranged around the exterior of the clustered rocks. Each is nestled into a location that provides both a marvelous feeling of comforting privacy together with a view of the surrounding desert.

Once you select your campsite, it’s time to explore! These rocks are of a composition that absolutely invites climbing, practically gripping the soles of your shoes. There are hidden passageways, caves, rounded out places to sit, and hundreds of hiding locations.

The ways to explore this area are endless. Once, when my son, Kaelan, was younger we found a ten-foot-wide “bowl” area in one of the formations. While he played in the middle, I would roll a ball around the rim of the formation as he tried to capture it. We played this until late, late in the evening.

Of course, the real beauty of the rocks comes out at sunset and sunrise. Then, the rocks that seem to be only mud-like and grey, come alive with colors and textures you can hardly even imagine during the harsh light of midday.

But true magic arrives with the full-moon. I have driven four hours just to experience the beauty of a full-moon night in the City of the Rocks. Under a full moon, the shadows created by these monoliths form a second city of their own—a matrix of dark forms between the luminescent rocks themselves. It is with regret that I ever settle in to sleep following hours walking through the formation under the magic of a full moon.

If the geology of the park is of interest to you or your children, rangers are available to explain the process. The history of the people who have inhabited this region is equally fascinating.

For my son and me, however, it remains primarily a magnificent playground. Whatever you make of it, I know it will become a favorite of yours as well.

Regarding children, one word of extreme caution. As inviting as the climbing is, there is obvious danger involved. This is not Disneyland, and no safety is implied. Falling from a rock, no matter how unique and beautiful, can produce injuries or even prove fatal. In fact, casualties have occurred over the years. Always keep in mind that, though rangers are present to help in an emergency, the nearest medical facility is at least 45 minutes away!

Over the years, I have climbed next to my son at all times—literally keeping him within my constant or immediate grasp. I strongly urge you to ensure that your visit here remains a safe experience. Always accompany your child, set firm climbing rules, and remember that even though it is a state park, it can be just as dangerous as any other rock climbing experience.

Note: No food is sold at this park, and there are no eating facilities available. The nearest restaurants are in either Deming or Silver City. The bathroom facilities include flush toilets. Some vending machines may be available. Drinking water is available. A limited number of RV sites have electricity.

The phone at the City of Rocks Visitor Center is 505 536-2800. See http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/cityrocks.htm for additional information.

Back to TravelLady Magazine