Lakeshore Trail

The Lakeshore Trail at Elephant Butte Lake State Park circles portions of New Mexico's largest reservoir, offering expansive water views and long-distance vistas toward the distant White Sands dune field gleaming on the southern horizon. Elephant Butte Lake was created by the construction of Elephant Butte Dam in 1916 and today covers over 36,000 acres when full, making it the premier water recreation destination in New Mexico. The lakeshore trail traverses the rocky desert terrain along the water's edge, passing coves, beaches, and rocky points that provide constantly changing perspectives on the vast reservoir. The landscape is classic Chihuahuan Desert, with creosote, yucca, and desert shrubs dominating the dry slopes above the waterline. The volcanic geology of the area is evident in the dark basalt outcrops and the prominent butte that gives the reservoir its name, its shape reminiscent of an elephant when viewed from certain angles. Pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, and bald eagles are commonly seen working the lake surface for fish, making this trail excellent for large bird observation. Roadrunners and Chihuahuan ravens are frequent companions along the drier upland sections. The trail's flat terrain and panoramic water and desert views make it appealing to a wide range of visitors. Sunset views from the lakeshore are spectacular, with the water reflecting the orange and pink hues of the Chihuahuan Desert sky while the White Sands glow on the distant horizon to the southeast.