Eagle Nest Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Enjoy crisp mountain air and refreshingly cool temperatures at Eagle Nest Lake State Park right off the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in northern New Mexico. The lake was formed after construction workers completed the Eagle Nest Dam in 1918. The park was established in 2004 and since then has become a popular destination for hiking, boating, and fishing. In addition, it is an excellent place to snowshoe, ice fish, and cross-country ski once the snow flies. Eagle Nest Lake sits at 8,200 feet above sea level, so if you're coming from a lower elevation, you'll want to give yourself about a day to acclimate to the altitude before attempting any strenuous activity. The park is a 30-mile drive from artsy, quirky Taos, which is a great town for a fun day trip.
Nearby Cities:
Taos, NM
Angel Fire, NM
Raton, NM
Trinidad, CO
Spring 29-65 F
Summer 39-75 F
Fall 14-49 F
Winter 8-42 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Eagle Nest Lake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lakeview Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 107 feet
Other amenities: Grills, fire rings, shade shelters, fire pits, vault toilets, group picnic shelter, group meeting room
Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground
If you’re searching for solitude and a quiet camping experience, the Eagle Nest Lake State Park campground is an excellent option. With just 19 sites, you’ll enjoy plenty of privacy and room to spread out. Each site is near a water supply, but other facilities are fairly basic; you’ll find vault toilets inside the campground. The main advantage of this area is the proximity to the lake and the boat ramp. Campsites here cost $10 per night.
Golden Eagle RV Resort
Set just two miles north of Eagle Nest Lake State Park, Golden Eagle RV Resort is a great alternative to the park’s campground. It offers all of the things you need for a comfortable stay, including full hookups, Wi-Fi service, a dump station, laundry area, and propane fill-ups. Plus, you’ll enjoy a private fire pit and grill. If you need a bit more space, the on-site showers and bathrooms provide room for your whole group. There’s even a certified RV technician available, so you can get help with any issues that arise. Nightly rates for two people start at $42 for full hookups with 30-amp service and $46 for 50-amp electricity.
Monte Verde RV Park and Campground
Choose from back-in and pull-through sites at Monte Verde RV Park and Campground, which is just 10 miles south of Eagle Nest Lake. With a mix of full hookups and water/electric sites, there’s an option for all types of RVs. This campground offers expansive views of the New Mexico wilderness. It’s a particularly lovely spot to watch hot air balloons taking off. With showers, bathrooms and a dump station, Monte Verde caters to RVers. Call for rates.
What to Do at
Eagle Nest Lake State Park
Eagle Nest Lake State Park has nearly eight miles of hiking trails. During warmer weather, you can take a boat out on the lake. Motorized watercraft are welcome, and kayaks and canoes are also popular ways to enjoy the water. The lake also offers opportunities for paddleboarding. Trails for horseback riding include the Lake View Trail and the Eagle Nest Lake Trail. Eagle Nest Lake State Park is also a great place for bird-watching. You can see a variety of bird species depending on the time of year you visit. During winter, enjoy fewer crowds and opportunities for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The park also has recreation programs, an interpretive center with displays, and nature programs.
Inside Eagle Nest Lake State Park
Eagle Nest Lake State Park offers year-round adventures. During the summer, enjoy the warm, sunny days on the water. The temperature rarely gets to 80 degrees, making the park a welcome respite from the heat at lower elevations. The lake is open to both motorized and non-motorized craft, and the calm waters are ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Fish for trout and pike, or simply enjoy the mountain breezes. When the lake freezes, it’s not uncommon to see a few ice-fishermen in the park. Bring sturdy shoes and explore over seven miles of trails. In the winter, they transform into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing routes.
Fishing
At the park, common catches are rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, sunfish, channel catfish, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. Ice fishing season is from January through March, depending on conditions. You can check with the park before your visit.
Nature Watching
Just some of the birds you can view at Eagle Nest Lake include cinnamon teals, mallards, western grebes, rock pigeons, mourning doves, American coots, California gulls, bald eagles, black-billed magpies, house sparrows, and western meadowlarks. Certain species inhabit the park in specific seasons.
Stargazing
The park's high altitude and lack of light pollution help contribute to optimal conditions for stargazing. You can set up a telescope at a table in one of the picnic areas or bring a blanket to the water to enjoy an evening of gazing at the heavens.
Flora and Fauna
The state park exists within a montane forest ecosystem due to its altitude. Wildlife typical for the environment includes bears, deer, marmots, coyotes, elk, foxes, turkeys, and bighorn sheep. While exploring the trails, you will wind through pine, cedar, and aspen trees. In the spring, colorful wildflowers bloom throughout the area.
Hiking
You'll find hiking trails along the lake's western and northern boundaries. A 2.74-mile trail starts at the Cieneguilla Day-Use Area and ends at the Six-Mile Day-Use Area. Another trail, this one 2.78 miles, starts at Six-Mile and ends near the park's main entrance. Come prepared for high-elevation hiking. You should dress in layers and bring along plenty of water.
Boating
Bring along your canoe or kayak and take advantage of the calm waters of Eagle Nest Lake. The park also allows motorized boats, although these must stay at least 150 feet from other boats as well as anglers. Check the park's website for current boating conditions before launching.
Biking
The hiking trails at the park are also open for bikers. The paths that wind around the lake are mostly flat, making it easy to take in nature while navigating your bicycle.
How to Get to
Eagle Nest Lake State Park
From Taos, simply head east on US-64 for about 30 miles. When you get to the intersection of US-64 and Marina Way, turn right and head another half-mile to the park's entrance.
From Trinidad, CO, go south on Interstate 25 until you reach exit 446 in New Mexico. Take US-64 at this exit and continue for 60 miles. Make a left onto B11 B and continue for a half-mile to the park's entrance.
Entering Eagle Nest Lake State Park
A day-use pass for one vehicle costs $5. There's no charge if you walk or ride your bike in.
Eagle Nest Lake State Park Per Vehicle : $5.0
If you plan to spend some time relaxing on the water at Eagle Nest Lake State Park soon, the RVshare team wants to find out how your vacation goes. If you post photos or stories on social media, tag RVshare. If you prefer, simply send your trip photos and RV travel tips to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Eagle Nest Lake State Park
Planning your arrival date depends on your preferred activity. Summer is the best time of year for hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. If you want to go cross-country skiing, ice fishing, or snowshoeing, visit the park in the winter.
Elk, bears, coyotes, foxes, and deer dwell within the park's mountains and forests. Birders can look forward to seeing numerous species of birds, including bald eagles, ducks, geese, and songbirds.
The park has 19 RV sites. Some sites are back-in, while others are pull-through. Each camping spot has a fire ring, picnic table, and bathrooms nearby.
You do have to reserve a camping spot during the busy season of May through September. The cost is $10 per night.
Pets are allowed at the park, and you can bring them when you hike. However, they must be on a leash, and their humans are responsible for cleaning up after them.