Percha Dam

Percha Dam State Park is located just a few miles south of Caballo Lake. This is one of the best places in the state for bird-watching. When the river is flowing you can dip a paddle in the Rio Grande or wet a worm to catch several varieties of fish.

The park offers a visitor center with exhibits and a reservable group shelter for picnics.

The campground has upper and lower areas. The upper consists of 30 sites all with water and power. 24 have 30 amps, 5 have 50 amps, and one has full hookups with 50 amps. Numbers 1 to 15 can be reserved.

16 to 30 are first come first served.

Between the two camping areas is a modern restroom with hot showers and a bench outside for bird watching. In case the restroom is full.

The lower area has about 20 developed sites and a nifty playground.

If you have a tent there is a cool riverside spot. I could probably squeeze my little Scamp trailer down there.

Freddy and I went down to the river. Not much happening this time of year.

I told the pup that rabbits sometimes hide under rocks. He looked around.

Took a sniff.

Then gave me a dirty look. There is a segment of the Rio Grande Trail that passes through the park.

The trail passes over a red metal bridge.

Which Freddy refused to cross. He was worried he might snag a nail on the mesh.

Anyway, the highlight of the park is the timber bridge.

It was dedicated on October 26, 1994.

The project sponsors were:

U.S. Forest Service Timber Bridge Program
Elephant Butte Irrigation District
New Mexico State Parks and Recreation Division
Sierra County, New Mexico
New Mexico State University Civil, Agricultural and Geological Department
Jornada Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc

It is justifiably magnificent.

Puts the Golden Gate to shame.

Regards,
Greg and Freddy