Bluewater Lake State Park

Bluewater Lake is famous for its tiger muskie, a sterile hybrid of muskellunge and northern pike that grows large and fights hard, drawing anglers who come specifically to chase it. The fish were stocked to help manage other populations in the lake, and landing one is a genuine trophy, subject to special size and possession rules that anglers should check before casting.

Beyond the muskie, the lake holds rainbow and other trout, catfish, and other species, making it a versatile fishery through the year. Anglers work it from boats and from the shoreline, and in a cold winter the lake can freeze solid enough for ice fishing, a rare treat in New Mexico that draws a small, devoted crowd out onto the frozen surface.

The reservoir is large enough for motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, and canoes, with boat ramps on the shore and open water to explore. Paddlers can slip along the sandstone bluffs and into quiet coves, and the lake's high setting keeps the water and the air cooler than the lowlands, a welcome thing on a hot day.

Around the shore, the park keeps campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails that wander through the pinon and juniper woodland above the water. The red rock, the blue lake, and the dark green trees make a handsome combination, and because the park is off the beaten path, it rarely feels crowded even in summer.

Bluewater Lake lies at a high elevation, so its climate is cooler and its nights crisper than most people expect of New Mexico. Summer days are pleasant rather than scorching, and evenings can call for a jacket even in July, which is part of the appeal for travelers looking to escape the heat of the lower desert.

The park's remote setting, far from any city, makes for wonderfully dark night skies. Campers here are treated to a thick spread of stars and, on moonless nights, a clear view of the Milky Way arcing over the water. It is a fine place to combine a day of fishing or paddling with a night of stargazing.

Spring and fall bring mild, comfortable weather and good fishing, while summer offers cool relief and the fullest campgrounds. Winter is cold, with snow likely and, in hard years, ice thick enough to fish on. Each season shows the lake in a different mood, from green shorelines in spring to a frozen surface under snow-dusted bluffs in winter.

Like all reservoirs in the arid Southwest, Bluewater's water level rises and falls with drought and snowmelt, and in dry years the shoreline can retreat, affecting boat ramps and access. It is worth checking current conditions before a trip, especially if you plan to launch a boat, so the lake's level does not catch you by surprise.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.