Villanueva State Park

Villanueva State Park
Pedestrian bridge over the Pecos River leading to the Vista Trail
Map showing the location of Villanueva State Park
Map showing the location of Villanueva State Park
Location of Villanueva State Park in New Mexico
LocationSan Miguel, New Mexico, United States
Coordinates35°15′25″N 105°22′2″W / 35.25694°N 105.36722°W / 35.25694; -105.36722
Area1,600 acres (6.5 km2)
Elevation5,600 ft (1,700 m)
Established1967[1]
Governing bodyNew Mexico State Parks Division

Villanueva State Park is a state park of New Mexico, United States, located on the banks of the Pecos River. The park features red and yellow sandstone cliffs, cottonwood trees, and other native plants. Villanueva State Park's elevation is 6,110 feet (1862 m) above sea level.[2] The park sits in the shift from The Rocky Mountains and The Great Plains.[3] The park is located southwest of the town of Las Vegas, 35 miles (56 km) New Mexico.[4] While on the lookout trails of Villanueva State Park, one can view the Pecos River. Water in the Pecos River south headed to Villanueva State Park, there are showed signs of base metals and mercury. Elevated levels of copper, lead, and zinc.[5]

  1. ^ "Villanueva State Park Management and Development Plan" (PDF). Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  2. ^ "Villanueva State Park". State Parks. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Liddell, Judith; Hussey, Barbara (2013). Birding Hot Spots of Santa Fe, Taos, and Northern New Mexico. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 978-1-62349-254-0.[page needed]
  4. ^ New Mexico State Parks Division. "Villanueva State Park". New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
  5. ^ "NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebook - 44". New Mexico Geological Society. Retrieved December 13, 2022.