Day Use Pass Entrance Permits should be printed and placed on your dashboard so that it is visible to Park Rangers at all times. Failure to display the permit could result in a citation. If you are unable to print your permit, please proceed immediately to a self-pay station in the park and follow the instructions found there for filling out a Self Pay Permit.
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Stage II Fire Restrictions : Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal,
or wood stove is prohibited. The use of devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that
can be turned on and off is allowed. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or
cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device.
Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Attention:
Our water system is out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. As consumers of water in the park, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
Our water system is required to demonstrate complete inactivation of harmful pathogens. Our system is currently unable to meet these requirements. This is a significant deficiency that does not meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and indicates a potential elevated threat to public health.
What should I do?
What does this mean?
Although no contamination has currently been detected in our Water System, we are not meeting disinfection requirements. This means microbes such as bacteria and viruses may not be inactivated. *Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems . *
What is being done? We are working to ensure there is adequate disinfectant in the water and that complete inactivation of pathogens is taking place. Meanwhile, routine bacterial testing in August and September has shown compliance with safe drinking water standards. We expect the advisory to remain in effect until disinfection is ensured.
For more information, please contact: Danny Byler (575) 868-2270
*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
BOIL WATER ADVISORY
Sugarite State Park Water System
Does Not Meet Treatment Requirements
Our water system is out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. As consumers of water in the park, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
Our water system is required to demonstrate complete inactivation of harmful pathogens. Our system is currently unable to meet these requirements. This is a significant deficiency that does not meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and indicates a potential elevated threat to public health.
What should I do?
- No water available within the park due to extreme drought conditions, please plan accordingly. Water is available at the KOA campground in Raton. Shower house and comfort stations closed until further notice.
- If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
What does this mean?
Although no contamination has currently been detected in our Water System, we are not meeting disinfection requirements. This means microbes such as bacteria and viruses may not be inactivated. *Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems . *
What is being done? We are working to ensure there is adequate disinfectant in the water and that complete inactivation of pathogens is taking place. Meanwhile, routine bacterial testing in August and September has shown compliance with safe drinking water standards. We expect the advisory to remain in effect until disinfection is ensured.
For more information, please contact: Danny Byler (575) 868-2270
*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*
General Alert for Sugarite Canyon:
- Sugarite Canyon is undergoing improvements and upgrades as part of New Mexico State Parks Statewide – Outdoor Recreation Restroom Improvement Project. Construction efforts will impact both day use areas and campgrounds. Be sure to check for and review park alerts and notifications prior to your visit. For the affected areas, we anticipate noise and other construction-related impacts for the duration of these construction activities. Please adhere to all signage and electronic alerts for your safety. For up-to-date information, please call the park at 557-445-5607. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for your planning purposes and during your visit. We thank you for your cooperation.
- Lake Alice Campground will be closed on October 1, 2026, and will reopen when construction is completed.
Attention: The Shower House is now on limited operation hours (Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 8:00 AM to 4: 00 PM if water production from the natural spring allows. Further water system shutdowns may be implemented (Lake Alice Campground) depending on production capabilities of the existing system.
Comfort Station CLOSED due to lack of water, until further notice.
Attention: Sugarite Canyon currently does not have ANY water in the park. Campers will need to bring their own water.
Attention: ADA site campers must display a Handicapped Placard or have a Handicapped license plate. Customers not displaying this will be asked to relocate.
Attention: The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations (NMSA 66-3-1011, 16-2-33 19 NMAC Ch 5 Sec 2.16 A).
Attention: Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.
NO SHOW POLICY : THE CUSTOMER MUST CONTACT THE PARK TO ADVISE THEM OF LATE ARRIVAL THE SITE WILL BE RELEASED FOR RESERVATIONS / FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER 4:00 P.M.. NO REFUND WILL BE DUE.
ATTENTION: Make it your goal to extinguish hot coals. If your campfire is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Drown it with water, stir it with a shovel, and repeat until your campfire is out cold! Learn more from Smokey Bear.
Sugarite Canyon, NM
