Sumner Lake State Park park
Sumner Lake State Park
Reasons to Visit:
1. Spectacular Scenery: Sumner Lake State Park is known for its stunning landscapes, featuring a picturesque lake surrounded by rolling hills, arid terrain, and vibrant sunsets. The park offers numerous vantage points and trails for visitors to enjoy the awe-inspiring views and capture breathtaking photos.
2. Water-Based Recreation: The 4,500-acre lake within Sumner Lake State Park is perfect for various water activities. Visitors can go boating, jet-skiing, or kayaking, and fishing enthusiasts will find an abundance of bass, catfish, and walleye. The park also offers swimming areas and sandy beaches for relaxation and sunbathing.
3. Camping and Picnicking: Sumner Lake State Park provides well-maintained campgrounds and picnic areas, offering a chance to immerse oneself in the serenity of the natural surroundings. These spots provide a peaceful retreat with facilities such as grills, restrooms, and shaded areas. Overnight camping options range from primitive tent sites to RV hook-ups.
4. Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, and various bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The park's well-preserved ecosystem offers opportunities for observing these animals in their natural habitats.
Points of Interest:
1. Sumner Lake Dam: A notable landmark within the park, the Sumner Lake Dam stands tall as a testament to engineering. Its construction in the 1930s helped to control the flow of the Pecos River and create the lake that is now the centerpiece of the park.
2. Sumner Lake State Park Visitor Center: The visitor center provides detailed information about the park's history, geology, and wildlife. It's an excellent starting point for visitors to learn about the region before exploring the park.
Interesting Facts:
1. Sumner Lake State Park is named after General Edwin Vose Sumner, a prominent figure during the American Civil War and a key player in the Indian Wars in the area.
2. The park is situated on the site of the historic Fort Sumner, which was established in 1862 to protect settlers and travelers during westward expansion.
3. Sumner Lake State Park is part of the larger Pecos River Valley, which is rich in archaeological sites, including remnants of ancient Native American civilizations.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Sumner Lake State Park is during the spring and fall seasons when temperatures are moderate and comfortable for outdoor activities. Spring offers blooming wildflowers, while fall showcases vibrant foliage. It is advisable to avoid the peak summer months as temperatures can reach extremes, and the park tends to be busier during this time.
To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to verify the information provided by consulting multiple independent sources such as official state park websites, travel guides, and visitor reviews.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Sumner Lake State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumner Lake State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Sumner Lake State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Sumner Lake State Park
What can I do at Sumner Lake State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Sumner Lake State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Sumner Lake State Park.