nroath
08-03-2007, 09:27 AM
Getting Comfortable with Camping
By Erica Asmus-Otero, Public Information Coordinator NM State Parks
When vacationing, many travelers are accustomed to staying in deluxe hotels that provide all the amenities and comforts of home with some services that extend beyond well beyond what would ever be required - including turn down service, 24 hour room service and available fluffy, white Egyptian cotton robes. So the idea of camping outdoors may not appeal to those whose standards require a star-rating system, a free, hot continental breakfast and a copy of the newspaper each morning at the door. But the days of a stiff neck resulting from a night on the hard ground, and no access to a shower for days are things of the past (though some appreciate a good back-straightening every now and then).
For the novice or fallen-away camper, leaving home for the outdoors doesn't need to translate into leaving comfort behind - especially when it comes to a visit to any of 34 New Mexico State Parks. Blow-up air mattresses, comfy cots, down sleeping bags, and virtual indoor living rooms make camping much more enjoyable especially for the person who loves the outdoors but loves accommodation, even more. Unlike spending an exorbitant amount of money for a weekend at a hotel, nothing surpasses the scent of the fresh morning air or the sounds of the trees whispering above while cuddling in a warm sleeping bag in the serenity of nature.
Beauty, comfort and relaxation are a few of the reasons why more than 4 million visitors stay at New Mexico's state parks each year, with a variety of unique parks scattered throughout the State. Park Managers and rangers take a significant amount of pride in the parks they manage, and aim to protect the parks natural resources while serving as a wealth of information for visitors.
State Parks provides clean comfort stations, warm showers, group shelters and developed sites at most parks along with electric/sewer hook up for RV owners. A late morning breakfast or early dinner, story telling around the campfire, catching dinner at the lake, hiking the beautiful trails, bird watching, exploring the area by boat, and learning about the constellations and stars at a star party enhance the outdoor experience at a state park.
Campers staying at New Mexico State Parks can experience more than five stars while sleeping under a multitude of constellations outdoors, and enjoy a warm breakfast with the backdrop of restful trees and an idyllic lake instead of settling for day-old muffins in a crowded hotel eatery.
Parks such as Sumner Lake State Park (Sumner, NM), Conchas Lake State Park (near Tucumcari, NM) and Ute Lake State Park (near Tucumcari, NM) have recently renovated comfort stations and have made other improvements to accommodate visitor needs. Eagle Nest Lake State Park (near Taos, NM) will construct a new campground and visitor center while Ute Lake will install 12 new campsites in the near future.
With gas prices constantly fluctuating, the biggest benefit of camping at a New Mexico state park is cost efficiency. State Park's annual camping permit is one of the only camping permits in the country that provides unlimited access to the parks for a full year from month of purchase. The pass is valid for an entire car load of campers who can stay for a weekend at less than it would cost for one cup of designer coffee (if used every weekend for a year). The money saved can be used towards new camping equipment.
State Park's Annual Day Use pass for $40 is the most economical day-use only pass when compared to six neighboring states in the country. Day use passes allow visitors to hike, fish, bird watch, picnic and participate in a number of events and activities that do not require camping.
Weekly events and educational activities are provided throughout the year at various parks and can be found on www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/). For a unique, comfortable experience in the beauty of the outdoors, visit New Mexico State Parks.
Site reservations are recommended around holidays. Reservations can be made by calling 877-664-7787. For more information on New Mexico State Park, call 888-NMPARKS or visit www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/).
Submitted by: Erica Asmus-Otero is the Public Information Coordinator for New Mexico State Parks. She can be reached at Erica.Asmus-Otero@state.nm.us (Erica.Asmus-Otero@state.nm.us) or (505) 827-1473.
By Erica Asmus-Otero, Public Information Coordinator NM State Parks
When vacationing, many travelers are accustomed to staying in deluxe hotels that provide all the amenities and comforts of home with some services that extend beyond well beyond what would ever be required - including turn down service, 24 hour room service and available fluffy, white Egyptian cotton robes. So the idea of camping outdoors may not appeal to those whose standards require a star-rating system, a free, hot continental breakfast and a copy of the newspaper each morning at the door. But the days of a stiff neck resulting from a night on the hard ground, and no access to a shower for days are things of the past (though some appreciate a good back-straightening every now and then).
For the novice or fallen-away camper, leaving home for the outdoors doesn't need to translate into leaving comfort behind - especially when it comes to a visit to any of 34 New Mexico State Parks. Blow-up air mattresses, comfy cots, down sleeping bags, and virtual indoor living rooms make camping much more enjoyable especially for the person who loves the outdoors but loves accommodation, even more. Unlike spending an exorbitant amount of money for a weekend at a hotel, nothing surpasses the scent of the fresh morning air or the sounds of the trees whispering above while cuddling in a warm sleeping bag in the serenity of nature.
Beauty, comfort and relaxation are a few of the reasons why more than 4 million visitors stay at New Mexico's state parks each year, with a variety of unique parks scattered throughout the State. Park Managers and rangers take a significant amount of pride in the parks they manage, and aim to protect the parks natural resources while serving as a wealth of information for visitors.
State Parks provides clean comfort stations, warm showers, group shelters and developed sites at most parks along with electric/sewer hook up for RV owners. A late morning breakfast or early dinner, story telling around the campfire, catching dinner at the lake, hiking the beautiful trails, bird watching, exploring the area by boat, and learning about the constellations and stars at a star party enhance the outdoor experience at a state park.
Campers staying at New Mexico State Parks can experience more than five stars while sleeping under a multitude of constellations outdoors, and enjoy a warm breakfast with the backdrop of restful trees and an idyllic lake instead of settling for day-old muffins in a crowded hotel eatery.
Parks such as Sumner Lake State Park (Sumner, NM), Conchas Lake State Park (near Tucumcari, NM) and Ute Lake State Park (near Tucumcari, NM) have recently renovated comfort stations and have made other improvements to accommodate visitor needs. Eagle Nest Lake State Park (near Taos, NM) will construct a new campground and visitor center while Ute Lake will install 12 new campsites in the near future.
With gas prices constantly fluctuating, the biggest benefit of camping at a New Mexico state park is cost efficiency. State Park's annual camping permit is one of the only camping permits in the country that provides unlimited access to the parks for a full year from month of purchase. The pass is valid for an entire car load of campers who can stay for a weekend at less than it would cost for one cup of designer coffee (if used every weekend for a year). The money saved can be used towards new camping equipment.
State Park's Annual Day Use pass for $40 is the most economical day-use only pass when compared to six neighboring states in the country. Day use passes allow visitors to hike, fish, bird watch, picnic and participate in a number of events and activities that do not require camping.
Weekly events and educational activities are provided throughout the year at various parks and can be found on www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/). For a unique, comfortable experience in the beauty of the outdoors, visit New Mexico State Parks.
Site reservations are recommended around holidays. Reservations can be made by calling 877-664-7787. For more information on New Mexico State Park, call 888-NMPARKS or visit www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/).
Submitted by: Erica Asmus-Otero is the Public Information Coordinator for New Mexico State Parks. She can be reached at Erica.Asmus-Otero@state.nm.us (Erica.Asmus-Otero@state.nm.us) or (505) 827-1473.