Summary
The park is located in the San Juan River basin and covers an area of over 15,000 acres. The lake is the main attraction of the park and offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.
One of the primary reasons to visit Navajo Lake State Park is to enjoy the serene beauty of the lake and its surroundings. The park has several campgrounds that allow visitors to stay close to the lake and enjoy the scenery. The lake is also a popular destination for fishing, with anglers coming from all over the country to catch trophy-sized trout, bass, and salmon.
There are several points of interest within Navajo Lake State Park that visitors should not miss. The park's Visitor Center offers information about the park's history, wildlife, and geology. The park's hiking trails offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Other activities available in the park include horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking.
Interesting facts about Navajo Lake State Park include that the lake was created in 1962 by the damming of the San Juan River. The lake is over 25 miles long and has over 150 miles of shoreline. The lake is also home to several species of fish that are not found in other parts of the state.
The best time of year to visit Navajo Lake State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is most active. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Navajo Lake State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty of New Mexico's outdoors. With its stunning lake, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife, Navajo Lake State Park is a destination that should not be missed.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Sims Mesa - Navajo Lake State Park
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Pine River - Navajo Lake State Park
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Simon Canyon Dispersed
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Cottonwood - Navajo Lake State Park
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