The landscape within the Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area is primarily
mesquite coppice dunes that range from one meter to several meters in height.
There are over 100 miles of trails that have been developed by users. Although
the trails are utilized during organized motorcycle races, other users are
allowed to drive cross country if they wish. Currently there is one race per
year that the BLM authorizes through a Special Recreation Permit, usually in
February.

The landscape within the Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area is primarily mesquite coppice dunes that range from one meter to several meters in height. There are over 100 miles of trails that have been developed by users. Although the trails are utilized during organized motorcycle races, other users are allowed to drive cross country if they wish. Currently there is one race per year that the BLM authorizes through a Special Recreation Permit, usually in February.

Bird's eye view of the park

Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle Area

Set against the dramatic Sacramento Mountains, this park features a historic
ranch house, quiet camping in the Chihuahuan Desert, and the unique oasis of
pools of water under the cottonwood trees of Dog Canyon. Enjoy a short walk on
the Riparian Nature Trail or a challenging hike up the Dog Canyon Trail.  
  
While at the park visitor center, take the short trail to see the ruins of
Francois-Jean “Frenchy” Rochas’ 1880s-1890s stone cabin above the pools of
water in Dog Canyon. Frenchy is credited with building the “miraculous
staircase” at Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe. You can also take guided weekend
tours of the restored historic Oliver Lee Dog Canyon ranch house and museum,
and surrounding ruins of the adobe barn, slaughterhouse, and chicken house.
Lee sold his ranch in 1907. After a series of several owners, the ranch lands
were made a part of the White Sands National Monument in 1939. Management of
the 440-acre Dog Canyon Ranch tract was transferred to the State Parks
Division in 1983, three years after the establishment of the parcel at the
mouth of Dog Canyon. Full ownership of the Dog Canyon Ranch parcel of the park
was transferred to the state of New Mexico in 1998.  
  
Oliver Lee State Park offers a visitor center, camping, showers, group
shelters, electrical hook ups, restrooms, dump stations, and trails.  
  
Park Elevation 4,400 ft  
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.

Set against the dramatic Sacramento Mountains, this park features a historic ranch house, quiet camping in the Chihuahuan Desert, and the unique oasis of pools of water under the cottonwood trees of Dog Canyon. Enjoy a short walk on the Riparian Nature Trail or a challenging hike up the Dog Canyon Trail. 

While at the park visitor center, take the short trail to see the ruins of Francois-Jean “Frenchy” Rochas’ 1880s-1890s stone cabin above the pools of water in Dog Canyon. Frenchy is credited with building the “miraculous staircase” at Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe. You can also take guided weekend tours of the restored historic Oliver Lee Dog Canyon ranch house and museum, and surrounding ruins of the adobe barn, slaughterhouse, and chicken house. Lee sold his ranch in 1907. After a series of several owners, the ranch lands were made a part of the White Sands National Monument in 1939. Management of the 440-acre Dog Canyon Ranch tract was transferred to the State Parks Division in 1983, three years after the establishment of the parcel at the mouth of Dog Canyon. Full ownership of the Dog Canyon Ranch parcel of the park was transferred to the state of New Mexico in 1998. 

Oliver Lee State Park offers a visitor center, camping, showers, group shelters, electrical hook ups, restrooms, dump stations, and trails. 

Park Elevation 4,400 ft 
<a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/oliverleestatepark.html" rel="nofollow">Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website</a>.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

The McGregor Range includes over 606,000 acres of withdrawn public lands on
the west side of Otero Mesa. These lands are jointly managed by the BLM and
the U.S. Army, in accordance with the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999
and subsequent McGregor Range Resource Management Plan (2006).

The range is open to the public when authorized by the Army through a "Fort
Bliss Training Complex (FBTC) Recreational Access Permit." The range is closed
to the public during training exercises. After receiving a permit, you must
receive permission to enter the range on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis.

The public may drive through the range without a permit only on State Road 506
and on County Roads. Use of all other roads requires a permit from the Army.
The public is not authorized to drive off of established roads.

The McGregor Range includes over 606,000 acres of withdrawn public lands on the west side of Otero Mesa. These lands are jointly managed by the BLM and the U.S. Army, in accordance with the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 and subsequent McGregor Range Resource Management Plan (2006).The range is open to the public when authorized by the Army through a "Fort Bliss Training Complex (FBTC) Recreational Access Permit." The range is closed to the public during training exercises. After receiving a permit, you must receive permission to enter the range on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis.The public may drive through the range without a permit only on State Road 506 and on County Roads. Use of all other roads requires a permit from the Army. The public is not authorized to drive off of established roads.

McGregor Range

The Culp Canyon WSA is located in southern New Mexico and is characterized by
gently rolling hills and steep mountain slopes dissected by numerous canyons
and arroyos. Vegetation consists of desert grasses and shrubs. The WSA is
located in McGregor Range, an area established for the Army to conduct
military training, including live-fire exercises.

The Culp Canyon WSA is located in southern New Mexico and is characterized by gently rolling hills and steep mountain slopes dissected by numerous canyons and arroyos. Vegetation consists of desert grasses and shrubs. The WSA is located in McGregor Range, an area established for the Army to conduct military training, including live-fire exercises.

Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

McGregor Range

Culp Canyon Wilderness Study Area