Situated Between Albuquerque And Lubbock Is New Mexico’s Remote State Park For Lake Fun, Camping, And Fishing

If you are driving between New Mexico and Texas, mile after mile of desert alongside US-84 begins to really feel like huge stretches of nothingness. And, proper when the nothingness offers approach to more room, Sumner Lake State Park seems on the map.

About two and a half hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and three hours from Lubbock, Texas, this state park hugs the banks of a dam constructed within the Thirties to maintain water for Carlsbad. Today, hearty vegetation like mesquite and cacti develop between the slabs of rust-colored sandstone that make up the shore. Sumner Lake can both be a much-needed stopover on a highway journey or a peaceable retreat for boaters, watersports lovers, or anglers  in search of waters practically devoid of individuals. However, hikers ought to head to New Mexico’s City of Rocks State Park for otherworldly trails, as there are solely 2 miles of designated paths at Sumner Lake.

Some guests will say the park affords nothing particular, and, when it comes to facilities, they may be proper. But, Sumner Lake’s magnificence grows on you, peaking because the sundown turns your complete lake right into a liquid mirror that swimming pools between the encompassing hills and mesas. At 4,500 acres, the lake is large, and it will be onerous to discover all 60 miles of shoreline. While there’s a day-use space at Alamo Point with a ship launch, spending the evening at one in all five campgrounds is one of the best ways to get the total expertise at Sumner Lake State Park.

At Sumner Lake State Park, overnighters can select between five campgrounds clustered across the shoreline or on the base of the dam. As a recognized dark sky location with a Bortle Class 1 designation, Sumner Lake has a “pristine night sky,” per the National Park Service. “I spent many summers camping here with family as a kid and adult looking up at the night sky. No summer trip to this area of New Mexico would be complete without stopping here,” shared a camper on Google Reviews. 

On the west aspect of the lake, Pecos Campground affords electrical energy, whereas Mesquite Campground is subsequent to the water — and we imply proper on the sting — however utterly primitive. Although there is no tree cowl, for those who can go with out electrical energy and shade for a spell, it is price it for the views. 

Across the lake, East Side Campground delivers lake views a bit away from the shore. Offering primitive and electrical choices, most of those websites include adobe-style, sheltered picnic areas. Hummingbirds and lizards dart between cacti and different hardy vegetation that do not thoughts the recent, dry local weather, when you might even hear the gobble of untamed turkeys. At the bottom of the dam, surrounded by cottonwoods, Shady Side Campground and Raccoon Campground straddle the Pecos River. However, these websites shut throughout dam releases. If you do not see these campgrounds out there on New Mexico State Parks, test Park Alerts for closures.

While parks like Carson National Forest’s alpine lakes are all about mountain biking and land recreation, Sumner Lake State Park’s attract is the water. To totally benefit from the lake, you may must convey your personal kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or different craft (each motorized and non-motorized are permitted), as there aren’t any outfitters. You’ll discover boat launches at Mesquite Campground, East Side Campground, and the day-use space. 

In phrases of lake fishing, anticipate bream, white bass, pike, walleye, and catfish in numerous quantities, relying on the season. “I’ve been fishing this lake for some time and the pike are getting crazy outta hand I’ve never caught this many pike in one trip here,” enthused one angler on Fishbrain. Alternatively, you may need luck catching catfish stream fishing within the Pecos River part. To get a greater concept of the present fishing and stocking situations, test the New Mexico Department of Wildlife‘s weekly stories. 

 There is not an official camp retailer, however MJ’s Lake House sells snacks and fishing gear day by day throughout peak season. However, the winter hours are topic to alter, so you may must cease for groceries in Santa Rosa or Fort Sumner, relying in your driving path. For one other approach to break up your New Mexico-Texas highway journey, add a cease at New Mexico’s Caribbean-colored Blue Hole off Route 66. The water is so vibrant that it is onerous to think about Sumner Lake and this impossibly clear swimming gap are lower than an hour aside.