Sumner Lake

Open — Open year-round. Reservations available up to 6 months in advance for developed campsites. Stage I fire restrictions in effect: fires allowed only in provided grills and stoves at developed sites.

About

Sumner Lake State Park is located on New Mexico's eastern plains approximately 16 miles northwest of Fort Sumner. The park was established in 1966 at a reservoir created in the 1930s by the Bureau of Reclamation with help from WPA and CCC workers. The 4,500-acre lake is divided into two arms by a dam at the intersection of the Pecos River and Alamogordo Creek, and the park offers rare access to the live river flowing from the base of Sumner Dam. The landscape features piñon, juniper, mesquite, grasses, and yucca covering the hillslopes and mesas, with cottonwood trees along the waterways. Wildlife is abundant, including falcons, mountain bluebirds, waterfowl, occasional bald eagles, antelope, and deer. The lake is stocked with walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish, while trout inhabit the river below the dam. The campground offers 50 developed sites across two main loops: Pecos Campground with 16 electric sites, and Mesquite Campground with non-electric sites. An additional 16 sites feature both water and electric hookups. Primitive camping is also permitted along the lakeshore. Sites accommodate large RVs with driveways ranging from 30 to 88 feet, and pull-through sites are available. The park includes showers, flush and vault toilets, a dump station, boat ramps, group shelters, a visitor center with exhibits, playground, trails, and interpretive programs during summer months.

Directions

From Interstate 40 at Santa Rosa, take US 84 South to State Road 203 then west on 203 for 6 miles to park entrance. Follow main campground road for another 2 miles to Pecos or Mesquite Loop. From US 60/84 in Fort Sumner take US 84 North to State Road 203 then west.

Nearby Campgrounds