Sally Bickley

Sally Bickley is a native New Mexican currently living in Sinton, Tex. She actively writes about Sierra County's history and the many outdoor activities that are available in New Mexico. She has written articles on such topics as endurance riding with horses, winter activities at Elephant Butte Lake, and Indian detours. Her articles are currently appearing in Enchantment, Southern New Mexico Magazine, Stable Kids and SouthernNewMexico.com.

Sally has traveled extensively in the Southwest and is currently writing articles about Mormon settlements in Mexico, wastewater treatment through wetlands management and southwestern gardening.

Her hobbies include kayaking and canoeing, travel, and lifelong learning.

Published on 02/21/2003

Located on the southwestern shore of Elephant Butte Reservoir, Elephant Butte offers residents and visitors mild sunny winters, hot summers moderated by afternoon thunderstorms or lake breezes, and practically perfect weather in the spring and fall. Elephant Butte State Park is the state's largest park, with camping, boating, and fishing on the 43 mile long reservoir. Three marinas, numerous marine service and storage facilities along with restaurants, a golf course and lodging facilities serve the many folks who use the lake.

Elephant Butte Profile

Elephant Butte Lake Photo by Sherry Fletcher

Located on the southwestern shore of Elephant Butte Reservoir, Elephant Butte offers residents and visitors mild sunny winters, hot summers moderated by afternoon thunderstorms or lake breezes, and practically perfect weather in the spring and fall.

Elephant Butte State Park is the state's largest park, with camping, boating, and fishing on the 43 mile long reservoir. Three marinas, numerous marine service and storage facilities along with restaurants, a golf course and lodging facilities serve the many folks who use the lake.

Special events and holidays rev up the tempo a bit, when up to 100,000 visitors venture in for the fun. Fireworks displays on Easter and Independence Day attract viewers from land and sea. Brightly lit boats provide a Parade of Lights between Christmas and New Year's. The Balloon Regatta, a combination boat and balloon event, provides ballooning fun without a big city crowd. Numerous fishing tournaments, golf tournaments, sailing regattas, power boat and jet ski races provide competition along with recreation.

Beginning as a small retirement community, Elephant Butte is taking advantage of its lakeside attractions, and growing to meet the demand. Elephant Butte combines with its neighbor, Truth or Consequences, five miles away, to provide small town living with wide open opportunities.

Elephant Butte and nearby Truth of Consequences can be a destinations in themselves for those seeking a hot springs getaway or lake recreation, or they can serve as a base for area explorations. Many historic communities, including Williamsburg, Arrey, Derry, Winton/Chloride, Caballo, Cuchillo, Engle, Monticello/Placita, Las Palomas and Winston, add character to the varied Sierra County landscape. Hillsboro and Kingston are popular destinations about 32 miles west in the Black Range Mountains of the Gila National Forest. Fourteen miles south sits Caballo Lake State Park, and Percha Dam State Park is located on the Rio Grande river 20 miles south of T or C.