Sugarite Canyon State Park: A New Mexico Hidden Gem!

Tucked away in the mountains of northern New Mexico sits a state park you’ve probably never heard of, Sugarite Canyon State Park.  This park, once reduced to ash and charcoal from a forest fire in 2011, is now beginning to flourish again.  

And while it will take years for the tall trees to regrow, here is why it’s still worth a visit.  

For the outdoor adventurist, there are 3 beautiful lakes for fishing and boating, 2 camping areas and nearly 20 miles of hiking/biking trails.  Needless to say you won’t be bored at Sugarite Canyon State Park!

For those who want a touch of history, there are the ruins of an old mining town right behind the visitor center.  If nature is your calling, there are dozens of birds here, deer, elk and bear frequent the area, and the stars are simply stunning at night.  

So whether you want to visit the park on a day trip, stay for a weekend or a whole week in the mountains, here is everything you need to know about this New Mexico hidden gem!

Important Links

–Sugarite Canyon State Park Website

–Camping – Make Reservations Here

–Sugarite Canyon State Park Map

–Sugarite Canyon Brochure and Trail Map

–Events to Know About

Hiking Journal – Never Forget the Details of Your Favorite Hikes Again!

Camping Journal – Never Forget Your Camping Trips Details Again!

Two Quick Things

Before we jump into all the amazing details about this New Mexico gem, there are 2 things you need to know.

1. There is ABSOLUTELY NO CELL SERVICE HERE.  We were able to stay connected via Starlink when we camped, but do not count on any sort of coverage.
2. Sugarite Canyon State Park is located between 6,600 and 8,200 feet of elevation.  If you are not acclimated to these elevations, hiking will be harder.  So drink lots of water, slow down your pace, and if you start to feel dizzy, make sure you sit and rest.  

Location

Sugarite Canyon State Park sits approximately 20 minutes outside of Raton, NM.  The park entrance is just a few minutes away from the New Mexico-Colorado state line.  

The park is about 3.5 hours from Amarillo, TX, 2.5 hours from Santa Fe, NM, and 2.25 hours south of Colorado Springs, CO.  These drivable distances make Sugarite Canyon a great place for a weekend getaway if you live in any of these areas.  

Fees

New Mexico State Parks have recently upped their entrance and camping fees.  This will hopefully go to some much needed upgrades in some of their parks.  Unfortunately, this does mean that you’ll be paying more to visit.  

Daily Fees: 

• New Mexico Resident: $5 per day
• Non-Resident: $10 per day

These fees ARE waived if you are camping here.  We will get into the camping prices down in the camping section.  

Things To Do in Sugarite Canyon State Park

There are loads of things to do here!  For the hikers and the mountain bikers, there are over 20 miles of hiking/biking trails.  There are also horse trails if you are looking for equestrian trails.  

As for fishing, there are 3 lakes, Lake Alica, Lake Maloya and Lake Dorothey all within the park limits.  You can also go boating on Lake Maloya, which is 100-acres.  

Camping is obviously a big thing here with 2 campgrounds, as well as walk-in sites.  You can bring a tent, a camper or an RV here.  Just be sure to grab those reservations as soon as you can because they go fast!

The state park also has amazing wildlife here.  With deer and elk frequenting the area, black bears roaming around, and over a dozen types of birds, this place is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream.  Their stars are also stunning at night if you enjoy star-gazing!   

And finally, there is an amazing touch of history here with their (closed) coal mines and the ruins of a coal mining town right behind the visitor center.  You can walk this <1 mile path as it leads you through the history of what remains of the coal mining town.  

Time to Spend Here

With 3,600 acres to explore, 3 lakes to fish, 2 campgrounds, and 20 miles of hiking/biking/horse trails, you could spend as much time as you want in Sugarite Canyon State Park.  

You could come for a Day Trip and explore the coal mining town ruins, hike the Ponderosa/Opportunity Trails, and enjoy a picnic along Lake Maloya.  Or you could spend the whole day fishing or biking.  

For a Weekend Trip you could go hiking, biking, fishing or boating, while also enjoying the quiet of sitting around a fire.  There are electric or non-electric campsites options for you to book and stay.  

Or if you need some time to truly unplug, you can camp here for up to 7 days during their busy season.  Soak in the fresh mountain air, enjoy being disconnected from the world, and relish in the peaceful New Mexico mountains.  

Hiking/Biking/HorseBack Riding 

With about 20 miles of trails, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet while being completely unplugged.  Hiking/Biking is a great way to see and explore the beauty of this park. 

The trees used to be a lot thicker here before the 2011 forest fire.  So you will see plenty of trees still blackened, but the lush green undergrowth is bursting from the ashes.  While this park might not be back to its former glory, the trails will lead you through the beauty of the park.

List of Trails

All of the trails can be found at this link.  Below is a quick overview followed by a map.  My husband and I hiked several of these trails and I highly recommend combining the Opportunity Trail, the Little Horse Mesa Trail and the Ponderosa Ridge Trail!

• Chicorica Boardwalk Birding Trail – 0.2 miles Round Trip – Easy
• River Walk Trail – 0.6 miles Round Trip – Easy
• Coal Camp Trail – 0.9 miles Round Trip – Easy
• Coal Camp Trail to Mine #2 – 1.8 miles Round Trip – Moderate
• Coal Camp Trail to Mine #3 – 2.1 miles Round Trip – Moderate
• Lake Alice Trail – 1.3 miles One Way (Connects Visitor Center) – Easy
• Deer Run Trail – 1.4 miles One Way (From Lake Alice to Soda Pocket) – Moderate
• Opportunity Trail – 3.7 miles One Way – Moderate
• Ponderosa Ridge Trail – 1.9 miles One Way – Moderate
• Little Horse Mesa Trail – 0.12 miles One Way – Strenuous (Very Steep)
• Vista Grande Nature Trail – 0.5 miles Round Trip – Moderate
• Lake Maloya Trail – 2.2 miles One Way – Moderate
• Wapiti Trail – 2.4 miles Round Trip – Moderate

Most of these trails would be classified as Moderate or Easy.  However, if you aren’t acclimated to the higher elevation (between 6,000 and 8,200 feet), you will probably find these trails more strenuous.  Remember, bring lots of water and if you begin to feel dizzy or lightheaded, turn around and go to a lower elevation.  

Campground 

There are 2 areas to camp in Sugarite Canyon State Park.  Upon entering the park, you’ll come across Lake Alice Campground first.  This is a smaller section and has the only water/electric sites in the state park.  

Further up the road there is a sign for Soda Pocket Campground (No Hook-Ups Here).  You’ll turn onto this dirt road and immediately begin your climb of approximately 1000 feet!  Again, this is a dirt road, so when it rains, it will be very muddy and a bit of a challenge to climb.  Especially if you are towing a camper.  So be weather aware, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the whole park!

Details

• 5 Sites with Electric
• 15 Tent Only Sites
• 21 Sites in the Soda Pocket Campground
• Visitor Center
• Hot Showers and Bathhouse near Visitor Center
• Pit Toilets at each campground
• Bear Boxes at each site

Soda Pocket Campground

Both tents and campers of every kind are welcome to camp at these spots.  They each have a sun-shaded picnic table and a fire ring with a grill.  The sites are up a very steep dirt road, so be aware of this extra challenge if you plan to camp here.  

The views are simply stunning here, but there are no hook-ups and only a pit toilet in the loop.  There is also a group site and a few walk-in campsites along the dirt road to access these sites.  

Lake Alice Campground

As for the Lake Alice Campground, there are a handful of water/electric sites and 2 full hook-up sites where the campground hosts will be staying.  There are also about 7 sites for tents only.  

This campground also only has a pit toilet in the middle of the loop, but you are only about a mile away from the bathhouses/showers by the visitor center.  From Lake Alice Campground you can hike around Lake Alice and up to Lake Maloya or down to the Visitor Center in just a few miles.  

Price Comparison

Camping in Sugarite Canyon State Park is a great way to take a vacation on a budget.  Whether you have a large camper to park here, or you are going in the cheapest tent you can find, this park is a great place to camp.  

New Mexico State Parks just raised their prices quite a bit.  This money will be going towards improvements in the parks, but you should be aware of the approximate cost below.  

**Disclaimer: These were the prices as of 6/2025.  Prices can and will change.  Prices do not include taxes or fees.**

Lake Alice Non-Electric (Tent Only)

• Resident: $10 per night
• Resident: $70 per week
• Non-Resident: $15 per night
• Non-Resident: $105 per week

Lake Alice Electric/Water

• Resident: $30 per night
• Resident: $210 per week
• Non-Resident: $35 per night
• Non-Resident: $245 per week

Soda Pocket Campground (Non-Electric)

• Resident: $15 per night
• Resident: $105 per week
• Non-Resident: $20 per night
• Non-Resident: $140 per week

Walk-In/Tent Only

• Resident: $10 per night
• Resident: $70 per week
• Non-Resident: $15 per night
• Non-Resident: $105 per week

Again, these prices are just to give you an idea of what it will cost you to camp here.  Taxes and Fees are not included.  But if you’re looking for a few days of hiking, fishing, or relaxing around the fire, you’ll love camping here!

Events in the Park

Sugarite Canyon State Park is a great place to view wildlife, go hiking, boating, biking, or even learn about the old coal town that once sat here.  If you are interested in any Ranger-led events, you’ll have to check out their website!  Things from a Ranger-Guided Hike, to Knot Tying, and a bunch of other events.  

-Things to do in the area

If you’re planning on staying in Sugarite Canyon State Park, there is a nearby national monument that is worth visiting.  Just 40 minutes away from Sugarite, stands an incredible extinct volcano, Capulin Volcano National Monument.  

With 5 miles of hiking trails, you’ll only need a few hours here, but walking the rim of the volcano and the stunning views that are around it were an incredible experience!  So for all you need to know about Capulin Volcano National Monument, check out this link!

Conclusion

Sugarite Canyon State Park is truly a hidden gem and perfect for adventurists, naturalists, and even the history buff.  Whether you plan to hike all the trails, or go fishing, or watch for birds, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of northern New Mexico.  

And if you need a week or weekend getaway, there are plenty of camping options here!  From Water/Electric hook-ups to dry camping and even walk-in campsites, everyone is welcome.  

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at averagewildexperience@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to help!

-Happy Hiking and Camping!