Park Entrance Road:

Latitude = 36.5951, Longitude = -106.7013

Lat    = 36 degrees,   35.7 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   42.1 minutes   West

Park Dock and Main Boat Ramp:

Latitude = 36.6097, Longitude = -106.7412

Lat    = 36 degrees,   36.6 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.5 minutes   West

Pinon Beach Campground Entrance

Latitude = 36.6141, Longitude = -106.7378

Lat    = 36 degrees,   36.8 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.3 minutes   West

Pinon Beach

Latitude = 36.6068, Longitude = -106.7411

Lat    = 36 degrees,   36.4 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.5 minutes   West

Pinon Beach Campground Cove

Latitude = 36.6093, Longitude = -106.7351

Lat    = 36 degrees,   36.6 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.1 minutes   West

Shale Point Beach

Latitude = 36.6200, Longitude = -106.7397

Lat    = 36 degrees,   37.2 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.4 minutes   West

El Vado Lake Dam:

Latitude = 36.5949, Longitude = -106.7339

Lat    = 36 degrees,   35.7 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.0 minutes   West

Sand Cove:

Latitude = 36.5946, Longitude = -106.7499

Lat    = 36 degrees,   35.7 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   45.0 minutes   West

Lat    = 36 degrees, 36 minutes 28 seconds  North   Long = 106 degrees, 44 minutes 5 seconds West

Hargroves Point:

Latitude = 36.6057, Longitude = -106.7571

Lat    = 36 degrees,   36.3 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   45.4 minutes   West

North El Vado Boat Ramp Road Entrance

Latitude = 36.6571, Longitude = -106.7442

Lat    = 36 degrees,   39.4 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.7 minutes   West

No Wake Zone North El Vado Boat Ramp/E. Chama River Arm:

Latitude = 36.6483, Longitude = -106.7428

Lat    = 36 degrees,   38.9 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   44.6 minutes   West

NW Arm:

Latitude = 36.6461, Longitude = -106.7655

Lat    = 36 degrees,   38.8 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   45.9 minutes   West

Peninsula Point Shallows:

Latitude = 36.6114, Longitude = -106.7535

Lat    = 36 degrees,   36.7 minutes   North Long = 106 degrees,   45.2 minutes   West

Prepared and experienced whitewater paddlesport kayakers and rafters can go down the scenic Rio Chama entering Heron and El Vado Lakes on the EL Puente Run. 

Beginner kayakers and canoeists can also paddle up the Rio Chama during excellent boating conditions in a "No Wake" area extending up the scenic canyon for a few miles.  Primitive camping sites exist up the canyon.  Access is from the north El Vado Ramp 2 miles west on NM 95 from Heron Lake State Park.

• Excellent Boating   From 6,908 feet in elevation down to 6,862 feet in elevation

( 234,000 acre-feet down to 84,000 acre-feet storage)

3,332 surface acres down to 1,858 surface acres

• Good Boating        From 6,862 feet in elevation down to 6,838 feet in elevation

           ( 94,000 acre-feet down to 56,000 acre-feet storage) 

  1,858 surface acres down to 1,328 surface acres

• Fair Boating           From 6,838 in elevation down to 6,824 feet in elevation

           ( 56,000 acre-feet down to 35,333 acre-feet storage)

  1,328 surface acres down to 1,052 surface acres

• North El Vado Ramp accessed off NM 95 :  

Top Elevation @ 6,911 Ft.      Bottom Elevation @ 6,899 Ft.

• Main Ramp accessed just past the main park office :   

Top Elevation @ 6,928 Ft.      Bottom Elevation @ 6,820 Ft.

• At the North end of the lake. One (1) 8’ x 40’ Courtesy Dock with concrete flooring.

• Just Southwest of the Park Office. One (1) 8’ x 40’ Courtesy Dock with concrete flooring.

Designated as a coldwater fishery.  Largemouth bass, bluegill, Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon.  Salmon snagging in the fall. At approximately 6,838' there becomes a fish kill issue with drawdown release of water through the dam works.

Restricted and governed under the Small Game and Waterfowl Proclamation of the Game and Fish Department. Check the Proclamation annually for any changes. Check with the park manager for restricted areas.  

There is a "Keep Out Zone" marked with regulatory buoys just north of the Launch Ramp area that contains the water supply pump line for the park.  Boaters entering the area will be cited.

The Rio Chama above the North Launch Ramp is an entire "No Wake" Zone enforced both for safety (Narrow Channel) and environmental considerations. Boaters violating the no wake rule will be cited.

Watersports operators need to observe the 150' distance rule from all shorelines when operating for both the safety of the persons being towed and for the safety of shoreline activities.

The lakes's elevation increases your chances of severe sunburns.  Use sunscreen and reapply during the day.

6,875 ft.        Hazards aground at North MacDonald Point.                       

6,851 ft.        Buoys along South Pinon Beach go aground.                         

6,833 ft.        Chama River channel gets very pronounced                       

6,819 ft.        Top of the trash rack at dam is about 10 ft below surface.  

                    East side channel is at depth of 12 ft  Westside and Sand’s Cove are not navigable. 

6,797 ft.        Approx. 1,700 surface acres remain. South Boat Ramp closed to protect pump structure. 

6,785' the water level becomes low enough to warrant no motorboating.  Lake water conditions show shoreline mud flats before that level making it difficult for paddlecraft access.  

Gas cannot be purchased at El Vado Ranch.  Closest fuel is a 5 mile round trip from the park to Tierra Amarilla. If stations are closed the only other close alternative will be in Chama, New Mexico.