Elephant Butte Lake State Park Oct. 2011

The park entrance with the visitor center on the far left.

 We arrived at Elephant Butte State Park on Oct. 9.  After a uneventful trip (except for a small tire problem) and 1720 miles, we finally were able to see where we were going to spend our first winter on the road. When we took the position here, the only thing we really knew was that we would be working at the visitor's center and that we would be provided with a full hook up site for working 12 hours a week  each. As it turns out, when you work at the visitor's center you collect entrance fees, camping fees, and answer questions. Unlike Michigan State Parks, here they have annual daily permits, annual camping permits, daily entrance fees and three different types of camping, all with their own different fees. The lake is really down due to the drought that has been going on.  They say it's down about 30 feet and just by looking

Would you like fries with that?

 around the shoreline you can see where the high water mark was. Rattle Snake Island is not an island right now.  The view from our site is fantastic and the weather could not be any better. The nights go down to around 40 and the days have been up in the high 70's to mid 80's every day.                                                                             

 

Our site in Quail Run.

 Our site is located in the Quail Run campground. They have four

 full hook-up areas that have water and electric hookups. Quail Run, Desert Cove,  Lions Beach and South Monticello. They also have developed areas that have shared water and a shelter but no electric, then there are primitive sites which is anywhere you can park a trailer, motor home or put up a tent with no hook ups. With primitive camping you can park down on the beach or in the desert, but there is a lot of soft sand so you could be looking for a tow truck if you're not careful.

The wildlife is plentiful.  These pictures were taken right outside our door and next to our patio. There are quail, bunny rabbits, jack rabbits (really big jack rabbits) several different birds, kangaroo rats and coyotes. Late at night the sky is full of stars and the sounds of the coyotes can be heard all around.

The elephants head. the trunk is on the left.

The elephants butt.

 The lake is named after a butte that looks like an elephant. The more I see it the more it looks like an elephant, but at first you sort of need to squint, tilt your head and hold your mouth just right. The lake has three different marinas and they're all very busy. There is a boat ramp that is crowded on weekends and the fishing is supposed to be good. The lake has white bass, black bass, small mouth bass, walleye and pan fish.

Elephant Butte Lake.

Elephant Butte.

                                                                     We have been here for two weeks now and are enjoying it. All of the other volunteers are very nice as well as all of the rangers and park staff. Holly and I have adopted a hiking trail and been spending some time cutting back brush, filling wash outs and rearranging rocks. More on that later.