For many, the Memorial Day weekend is the kick-off to summer visits to Elephant Butte. With the forests and so many other places off-limits, you might assume it would be packed this year. However, park officials say that’s not quite the case. Here are some highlights:
- The Park Superintendent says they estimate the number at 63,178 (some years that number can be near 100K)
- Smoke from nearby wildfires is one of the reasons for less attendance
- There are also stringent fire restrictions in effect, which means no campfires in the park right now
- The superintendent says the water level at the lake is at 13 percent capacity. However, he says this is actually four or five feet higher than last year