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New Mexico
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New Mexico State Parks

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USA Parks
New Mexico
North Central Region
Heron Lake State Park
Heron Lake State Park Trees at dusk © Matthew Nagy
Roadrunner © stateparks.com
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HERON LAKE STATE PARK
HERON LAKE STATE PARK
640 State Road 95
Los Ojos, New Mexico   87511

Phone: 575-588-7470
Reservations: 877-664-7787
Email: park email button icon
A picturesque lake set among tall pines, Heron Lake State Park has been designated a "quiet lake" where boats operate at no-wake speeds only. This park is known for its excellent sailing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and hiking.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trail, miles5
 Picnickingyes
 Swimming Beachyes
 Bike Trailsyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Meeting Rooms
Meeting rooms coming soon
Camping
Several scenic campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake-primitive and full developed campsites are available for every taste.
Swimming
1. Heron Lake State Park offers a designated swimming area.
2. The lake's water is cold and clear, ideal for summer swims.
3. No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.
4. Swimming outside the marked areas can be dangerous due to boat traffic.
5. Water shoes are recommended as some parts of the beach may have rocks or pebbles.

Boating
The park offers a peaceful setting for boating activities, with its no-wake policy ensuring calm waters. Visitors can enjoy sailing and fishing on the lake which is home to kokanee salmon and rainbow trout. There are two marinas available: one private (operated by Heron Lake Marina) offering boat storage facilities; another public providing launching ramps, courtesy docks as well as rental services of paddleboards, kayaks or canoes. The Willow Creek Campground also has an accessible dock area for visitors' convenience.
Fishing
Anglers can enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and lake trout. Ice fishing is popular in winter months. Boat ramps are available for easy water access. Fishing from the shore or a non-motorized boat offers peaceful experiences too.


Location
Heron Lake State Park is

Picnicking
Heron Lake State Park offers numerous picnic spots with tables, grills and shelters. Some sites overlook the beautiful lake.
Bicycling
Biking trails are available, offering a chance to explore the park's natural beauty. Be cautious of uneven terrain.

Mountain biking is popular but requires careful navigation due to rocky paths and steep inclines in some areas.

Ensure you have proper safety gear before embarking on any bike trail as conditions can change rapidly.

The scenic vistas along cycling routes may distract riders; stay focused on your path for safe riding experience.

Some trails might be shared with hikers or horseback riders, so always keep an eye out for others sharing the route.

Remember that wildlife encounters could occur while bicycling; maintain respectful distances from animals at all times.

Check weather forecasts prior to setting off as sudden changes can make certain tracks slippery and more challenging than usual.

Always stick within marked boundaries when exploring by bicycle - venturing beyond these limits isn't recommended nor permitted.


Trails
Access the hiking and fishing trail along the gorgeous Rio Chama from the dramatic caprock stairway near Heron Dam. The 5.5 mile trail which crosses the river by suspension bridge, affords panoramic views and an adventurous route to neighboring El Vado Lake.
Birding
Located in New Mexico, the park offers birdwatching opportunities with over 200 species including eagles and ospreys. Birders can explore trails or use designated viewing areas around the lake. Winter is ideal for spotting bald eagles while summer attracts migratory birds.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
May 30 Beautiful lake--still beautiful? by Terry
park review stars; one to five Love Heron Lake--used to visit and swim each summer. Wondering if drought has caused lake to dry up, June 1, 2018? How much mud do we have to wade through to get to the water?
August 15 Great park even with the generators by Jimbo
park review stars; one to five Great park. Generators did not bother us, I use one, hot is this part of the country. Would rather listen to a generator than a mother screaming at her kids because they are all hot.
July 11 Regulate generator use
park review stars; one to five The Park Superintendent told me that he is sympathetic to complaints about generators, but that rules & regs about generators are controlled by the state legislature. If you will write a letter to him about your concerns, he can use this as additional support when the Parks Dept goes to the legislature to request a change in the rules & regs. I suggest you be specific about details, such as dates of visits, number of generators, whether they shut them down at 10:00 as required, how it negatively impacted your stay.
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Directions
Heron Lake State Park is 11 miles west of Tierra Amarilla via US highways 64 and 84 and NM 95.

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New Mexico
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New Mexico State Parks

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