Water Sports in New Mexico

The main state park area can be reached from the I-40 at exit 63 (Prewitt) and has two paved boat ramps. Exit 53 (Thoreau) leads to the west side of the park and one paved boat ramp. Waterskiing and jetskiing are very popular here in the summer. There are no marinas.

Navajo Lake is the premier recreation lake in the Four Corners Area. There's a paved boat ramp where the Pine River enters the lake and another at Sims Mesa. Near the Pine River ramp is the Navajo Lake Marina where you can rent jet skis, houseboats, ski boats, fishing boats and pontoon boats. The Sims Mesa Marina has a working barge with a store and rental fishing and pontoon boats. Popular activities include waterskiing, jetskiing, fishing, and swimming. In addition, there are lots of houseboats on the water. Boat camping is also pretty popular.

Abiquiu Lake is a mix of public and private property. There are 2 paved boat ramps on the north side with a fishing and swimming area on the south side. Popular sports are waterskiing, jetskiing, fishing, and pontoon boat cruising.

1 paved boat ramp on the west shore, campgrounds on the east and west shores. Cochiti is a no-wake lake with a slip rental marina and no services. Popular activities include sailing, windsurfing and swimming.

These two lakes are quite different in their natures and uses. Heron Lake's 6,000 acres gets its water from west of the Continental Divide via tunnels. El Vado's 3,500 acres is fed by the Rio Chama. Heron is a no-wake lake and favors fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and swimming. El Vado Lake is popular with swimmers, waterskiers and jetskiers. The Heron Lake Marina is owned by the New Mexico Sailing Club. They do rent marina slips to the public. You don't need to own a sailboat to join the club or to rent a slip. The marina is operated by volunteers (who take turns serving as dockmasters) and is generally open from May to October. Although facilities are basic, the gas grills and picnic tables make the marina pavilion a great place to relax after a day of sailing, fishing or paddling. Heron has 2 paved ramps. El Vado has a ramp at the main campground and another at the extreme north end that isn't usable in periods of low water. El Vado Lake doesn't have a marina. Heron Lake Store and Stone House Lodge, two private businesses near both lakes, offer an assortment of rental boats.

Blue Hole is famous for its excellent diving in crystal clear artesian water. At 61 degrees, it is open year round for swimmers, qualified scuba divers and scuba classes. There is no fee for swimming but scuba divers pay a modest fee at the Santa Rosa Police Department.

Conchas Lake has 2 paved boat ramps in the private south area and 2 paved ramps in the northern State Park area. The south area has a campground, lodge, restaurant, and store but no marina. The State Park has a marina with repair service and rental pontoon boats, trailer park, fuel, restaurant, bar, and store with tackle, food, and fishing licenses. Windsurfing, waterskiing and jetskiing are popular on the lake.

The State Park offers camping, waterskiing, jetskiing, and fishing.

The State Park has one paved ramp. Popular activities include windsurfing and catamaran sailing with some waterskiing and jetskiing.

The State Park has 3 paved ramps on the north side and 2 on the south side. Ute Lake Marina offers slip rentals, pontoon and tri-hull boat rentals, non-perishable food supplies, tackle and fishing licenses. Waterskiing, jetskiing, swimming and boat camping are very popular.