Santa Rosa Lake State Park (Click Here for Park Page)Description: Uncrowded 3,500-acre lake on the Pecos River. Excellent water conditions enables one to travel up into the canyon of the Pecos River. Water typically is comfortable for water sports throughout the season. Several interesting islands. When good boating conditions exist, the average depth of the lake is about 30-40 feet. Length of the lake is 4 miles long and the width is at the greatest about 3 miles. The three northern arms including the western Pecos River Canyon are excellent birding habitat and well suited for kayak paddlers. Directions: North of Santa Rosa and I-40. The project is 117 miles east of Albuquerque via Interstate 40, 66 miles southeast of Las Vegas, NM, 58 miles west of Tucumcari and 171 miles west of Amarillo, TX.] From Albuquerque travel 110 miles on I-40 East to Exit 273. Take the exit and continue into town till the signs for State Route 91. Turn left and go through a few neighborhoods and continue seven miles north of the town to the Dam and Park Entrance. Map: Printable park map GPS Coordinates for Park Office: Latitude = 35.0310, Longitude = -104.6960 Lat = 35 degrees, 1.9 minutes North Long = 104 degrees, 41.8 minutes West Water Sports: Boating, swimming, waterskiing, jetskiing, windsurfing, scuba diving and fishing. Paddlecraft will find interesting fishing and birding up the Pecos River Canyon and up the north arm of the lake.
Conditions: Ramp and lake conditions
Excellent Motor Boating
Good Motor Boating
Fair Motor Boating
Ramps: 1
Docks:
Marinas/Rentals: None Prevailing Winds: From the west. Wind Warning Lights: One off of Rocky Point. Fish Species: Warmwater Fishery. Large and Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie and Walleye. Optimum Fishing at 4,712 Ft. water elevation. When water levels are up and early in the season in late May and early June, the Pecos River Canyon accessed from the northern end of the lake will be full of birds and early insect hatches. A day trip of Kayak Fishing drifting with the current and placing flies by the reeds normally will produce a good catch. Special Boating Restrictions: None. Boat ramp becomes unusable at 4,699 Ft. Special Boating Considerations: Many old ghost trees and brush line the sides of the lake making watersports activities with hazards at certain water levels. Particularly hazardous areas for and at north end of the lake by the entrance to the Pecos River Canyon. The open eastern side of the lake south of the islands is generally more suited for watersports. Watch for paddlecraft sharing the west side Narrows. Remember you are responsible for maintaining a "No Wake" speed within 150' of any kayak or canoe or other non-motorized craft. Due to space limitations for emergency turns in the west side Narrows it is not recommended for water skiing and wakeboarding or tubing. PWC and other boat operators should be aware that the narrow, shallow waters of the Pecos Canyon and the far northern arm and northeast arms are wildlife areas and that riding at above a "No Wake" speed is considered "Reckless Operation" due to wildlife disturbance. Idle speed only in this area. Shoreline areas below the main campgrounds and dock areas are all posted for "No Wake" speeds.
Servicing Boats: No gasoline facililties on site. 14 mile round trip to Santa Rosa for fueling. Recreation Areas Managed By: New Mexico State Parks. Very Limited Primitive Camping off shorelines but there is a great campground. Land and Operation Information: Water operations controlled by US Army Corps of Engineers. Information: (505) 472-3110 |
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