El Vado Lake State Park

The El Vado State Park has everything from boating to cross-country skiing, depending on when you visit. Initially built in the 1950s through a generous donation from the state of New Mexico, El Vado State Park has been slowly growing in size for over three decades now. For overnight guests, El Vado State Park has a total of eight different campgrounds to choose from. 

These sites contain over 80 developed sites, offering full water and electrical on each. There are also 16 RV sites for those visitors who enjoy using recreational vehicles, with a dump station just adjacent to the entrance. There are washroom and shower facilities offered on each of the eight sites, as well as coin-operated laundry. These sites are friendly to canine guests, as long as individuals keep them on a 6-foot leash or shorter. 

Guests can also engage in primitive camping on the beachfront, but these sites are gone quickly. For the more adventurous out there, hiking is available at El Vado State Park with over six miles of trails to choose from. These trails also host mountain biking throughout the warmer months, so guests are advised to keep their eyes peeled whenever they are out exploring. 

If you decide to bring along your canine friends for the journey, make sure to keep them on a leash 10 feet or shorter. As doggie stations do not exist on the premises, park officials ask that guests make sure to clean up any business their dog may leave behind. Fishing is allowed here on the El Vado Reservoir with fish such as trout and crappie being caught quite regularly. 

Boat owners are welcome to bring their watercraft here as well, with two slips available for free usage. Permits are required for that individual who is looking to enjoy either the fish or the water and can be found at the New Mexico State Park's office. During the winter months, ice fishing is also hosted here with reservoir top shelters being available for long-term rental.