You don’t usually equate water sports with the high desert of the Four Corners region in the Southwest. But 30 miles east of Farmington is Navajo Lake State Park, where you can find the second-largest lake in New Mexico with some of the best boating, fishing, hiking, and camping in the region.
Origins of Navajo Lake
Navajo Lake extends northeast some 25 miles into southern Colorado. It was established in 1962 when the Bureau of Reclamation completed Navajo Dam, one of the largest earthen dam structures in the country. It backs up the San Juan and Pine rivers and, when full, the reservoir impounds 15,600 acres of surface water. The lake is situated among lands covered in piñon and juniper forests and enhanced by thick cottonwood bosques along the shoreline.
Camping to meet everyone’s needs
The result: Navajo Lake State Park is the haven for everyone seeking a camping, boating, fishing, hiking, or just messing-around-in-water experience. Along its 150 miles of shoreline, there are seven campgrounds with 244 developed campsites and primitive sites along the beach. While many sites offer electric and sewage hookups, primitive campsites have no special facilities except clearings. Per-night camping fees range from $10 to $45, depending on the services you want. Other amenities in the park include restrooms with water, showers, and vault toilets. Reserve your campsite at newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Not a camper? Try the lodges
If you prefer the royal treatment, you’ll find all of comforts of home away from home at one of the full-service lodges in the nearby community of Navajo Lake. There you’ll also find outfitters, fishing guides, bait shops, and restaurants.
Full-service marinas
Navajo Lake has two marinas in New Mexico and one along the northern shoreline in Colorado. Pine River, the most developed area along the lake, includes a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, developed campgrounds, a day-use area, and a full-service marina.
Sims Mesa is across the lake, accessible by New Mexico Highway 527, and includes a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, developed campgrounds, and a full-service marina.
Two Rivers Marina near Arboles, Colorado, includes a visitor center, day-use area, and full-service marina. Each provides fuel, food, boat rentals, and boat docks and ramps for you to launch your adventure in a kayak, sailboat, pontoon boat, or motorized boat. Water skiing, jet skiing, and wakeboarding are also popular.
Safe to swim
For those who just want to get wet, there are plenty of safe swimming areas and even scuba diving for the more adventurous — like maybe you’re looking for a nose-to-nose selfie with a northern pike.
World-class fishing abounds
If you fish, Navajo Lake is a world-class destination. Anglers routinely pull crappie, Kokanee salmon, northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, and catfish from its waters. And along the San Juan River downstream of the dam, you can try fly-fishing for rainbow and brown trout. There’s even a 4.25-mile section of special catch-and-release waters, known as Quality Waters, attracting anglers from around the world. The average San Juan River Quality Waters trout measures over 17 inches. You can even buy your license online.
Serenity of Nature — day and night
For those just wanting the solitude of being in nature, the high-desert landscape is there to enjoy. Day users or overnight campers will find family-friend trails for hiking and biking as well as challenging trails for the more experienced. You can explore the backcountry, add to your bird-watching life list, or just marvel at the sight of wildlife in its natural habitat. At night, settle back and be mesmerized by star-filled skies unlike any you see at home. In winter, when snow covers the ground, you can even snowshoe and cross-country ski.
Many of the areas within Navajo Lake State Park are wheelchair-accessible so everyone can boat, fish, hike, or camp.
The people who came before made history here, camping, hiking, and fishing. Now it’s time to add your adventure experience to that illustrious history.
