If you are ever trying to out distance a tropical storm blowing up from Mexico while vectoring southeast from Albuquerque toward Austin, head for Oasis State Park in eastern New Mexico just a few miles short of the Texas state line.
This popular state park sits south of U.S. 60/84 (near Cannon Air Force Base) between Clovis and Portales off NM 467.
The public park covers 196 acres, three of which are lake surface.
The campground with its “shady cottonwoods, shimmering sand dunes and a tiny lake provides a respite from the harsh eastern New Mexico flatlands.”
Because it sits on the high grass plains of cattle country, expect beautiful sunsets and sunrises and with nearby large-scale feed lots … expect flies, lots of flies.
Oasis State Park
Elevation: 4,000 feet.
23 overnight camp sites
Primitive site: $8 (per vehicle/per night)
Developed site: $10
Developed site w/electric hookup: $14
Developed site w/sewage hookup: $14
Developed site w/electric & sewage hookups: $18
Photos: (Top) Looking east toward Texas at sunrise. (Middle) Our truck/camper in a good-sized pull-through site with electricity-$14. (Bottom) Ornate Box Turtle, about 10-inches. (Julianne G. Crane)
