Set against the desert foot of the dramatic Sacramento Mountains, this park features historic exhibits and a fully restored 19th century ranch house.

Desert Oasis
Springs and seeps in the walls of Dog Canyon support yellow columbines, maindenhair ferns and orchids. Secreted in this harsh landscape is a green oasis, where water flows year-round and ferns cling to mossy rocks. This area, known as Dog Canyon, is one of many deep ravines that slice the west flank of the Sacramento Mountains in southern New Mexico.

Upward Climb
The park is trailhead for the Dog Canyon National Recreational Trail in the adjacent Lincoln National Forest.  This difficult, 6-mile trail has splendid views of the surrounding desert and White Sands National Monument.

Journey Back
Water, plants and wildlife in Dog Canyon attracted prehistoric and historic inhabitants to the area.  Apache used the rugged canyon as a stronghold in 19th-century conflicts with the United States Army.

Oliver Lee 
Oliver Milton Lee (1865-1941) had a colorful career in New Mexico history.  Experience life of late 19th-century settlers at Lee's ranch headquarters, now restored and authentically furnished.  The ranch house is open to the public by guided tour only.

Getting There
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is 12 miles south of Alamogordo via US 54, then east 4 miles on Dog Canyon Road.