Located in New Mexico's Carson National Forest, Cabresto Lake is a 15-acre lake that the state government keeps stocked with several species of trout. Visitors can camp near the lake and spend the day exploring and fishing.
The lake has nine primitive campsites--water and electricity are not available. Some campsites have flat areas for tents, fire pits and picnic tables.
Camping at Cabresto Lake is free. The road to campsites is rocky and may be inaccessible to vehicles with low ground clearance.
Cabresto Lake
Carson National Forest
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
575-758-6200
A lake built by the Army Corp of Engineers to control flooding of the Rio Grande, Cochiti Lake is 30 minutes south of Santa Fe. The lake draws tourists looking to fish in the deep waters or swim in the water off the man-made beach. While fishing from the beach is prohibited, visitors with boats can fish in the middle of the lake, which is home to several types of bass, trout and catfish.
You can camp at one of 60 campsites at Cochiti Lake. There is a small fee for camping, but the property includes water, flush toilets, showers and electrical hookups. Grills are available for you to cook any fish you might have caught during the day.
Cochiti Lake
82 Dam Crest Road
Pena Blanca, NM 87041
505-465-0307
The southernmost lake in New Mexico, Brantley Lake is a prime destination for fishing and camping. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegills and crappie in the lake's warm waters. The New Mexico State Parks Division recommends catch and release only, for DDT has been found in some species. Each May, the lake is home to a fishing clinic for kids, where little ones can learn how to cast their lines.
Brantley Lake State Park has primitive and developed campgrounds. Primitive campsites are on the shores of the lake. Developed campsites have water and electricity as well as showers and flush toilets. Sewer hookups are available for guests in recreational vehicles.
Brantley Lake State Park
Carlsbad, NM 88221
575-457-2384
Elephant Butte Lake State Park is home to the biggest and most visited lake in New Mexico. Located in warm southern New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake is a 40-mile-long reservoir created to control flooding and provide irrigation for the desert area. Several state-record fish have been caught in the lake including the largest striped bass, flathead catfish and longear sunfish. Visitors also regularly catch perch and crappie in the reservoir.
The large state park has more than 250 developed campsites with 150 electrical hookups. Campsites with shelter and grills as well as sites right on the beach are available.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
575-744-5421
