GO NEW MEXICO
With beachfront camping sites and easy reservations, Sumner Lake State Park offers uncrowded spring camping
Adventurers can boat, fish, camp, hike and swim at Sumner Lake State Park along the Pecos River.
Sumner Lake State Park is south of Santa Rosa and northwest of Fort Sumner, a little more than two hours from sa国际传媒官网网页入口. Other parks on the Pecos nearby include Santa Rosa Lake and Villanueva.
The most often-traveled route takes you on N.M. 203 about 10 miles heading east from U.S. 84. For a wilder adventure, get off the pavement and take the scenic route through Santa Rosa and the Pecos River Valley with historic Puerto de Luna along the way. Be sure to watch for cattle living the life of open-range grazing as mesas and rocks give way to flat, dry grasslands.
For just $10, New Mexico residents can set up primitive campsites along the beach. The main westside campground is open, while other campgrounds open soon for spring and fall. You can check for open dates and make reservations at .
The main campground provides spots for glamping with electricity and three-sided hard structures for shelter from the wind and sun. Bathrooms near the visitor center have running water and flush toilets.
Sumner Lake State Park, featuring a 4,500-acre reservoir created by , was established in 1960 as and renamed in 1974, honoring the nearby Fort Sumner and its namesake, Col. Edmund Vose Sumner, according to.
During the first few days of April, the beach and main camping area had vacant spots.
Until May, New Mexico residents can visit the park, like most state parks here, during the day for free. Some sites are walk-up and most require reservations through .
The lakefront on the grassy plains is home to many birds and rattlesnakes, which signs warn are known to come out as the season heats up.
GO NEW MEXICO ADVENTURES
-
Show us your rig: Papa Smurf van in Durango
A custom-built 4x4 Ford E350 camper van, originally from sa国际传媒官网网页入口, is available now
-
Head to The Big Thing for adventure training, community connection
XOverland鈥檚 gathering in Montana attracts New Mexicans, people from across the nation with hands-on off-road training, trail rides and community connection
-
The City Nature Challenge results are in 鈥 Find out how ABQ, Santa Fe and Silver City did
House finch the most commonly spotted animal in all three cities
-
Adventure ends with garage door disaster
The outdoor duo returns from Overland Expo West in Flagstaff with gear intact, but a distracted homecoming leads to a crunching collision 鈥 and a bittersweet farewell to beloved Shiba adventure dog, Ora
-
Catch The Wave: How to get a permit and plan your hike from sa国际传媒官网网页入口
This stunning Arizona hike is a day鈥檚 drive from ABQ, but access is by lottery
-
Fishing Line for June 4, 2026
From trout limits at Santa Cruz Reservoir to walleye at Abiqui煤 Lake, here's your weekly New Mexico fishing update
-
Essential Overland Gear: Washing up on the road
Water-activated bathing wipes put to the test at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff proved to be a practical solution for campers and overlanders without access to a shower
-
Get hooked on fishing for free this weekend in New Mexico
Local events planned for Corrales, Pecos and Las Cruces