Heron Lake

About

Heron Lake State Park sits at 7,167 feet in New Mexico's high country, about 11 miles west of Tierra Amarilla. The 5,900-acre reservoir is a designated no-wake lake, making it exceptionally quiet and well-suited for sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. Anglers target kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and lake trout in the cold, clear waters. The park operates 8 developed campgrounds with 192 sites total, including 54 with water and electric hookups. Campground loops include Blanco Electric, Brushy Point Non-Electric, Willow Creek, and Island View, among others. Pull-through sites accommodating RVs up to 60 feet are available. Three primitive camping areas offer shoreline and boat-in camping for those seeking a more secluded experience. Facilities include flush toilets, vault toilets, showers, potable water, and an RV dump station. The park connects to El Vado Lake State Park via the 5.5-mile Rio Chama Trail, popular for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing in winter. A visitor center features interpretive exhibits on local ecology and history.

Directions

From Tierra Amarilla, travel west on US-64/US-84 for approximately 1.5 miles, then turn south on NM-95. Continue 7 miles to the park entrance at 640 State Road 95, Los Ojos, NM 87551.