In the southwest of the country, in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, there is a reservoir called Heron Lake. The reservoir is a component of the San Juan-Chama Project, which links the Rio Chama, which is a part of the Rio Grande watershed, with the San Juan River in Colorado. 80 kilometers to the northwest of Santa Fe is Lake Heron. Heron Lake State Park, which has more than 200 camping and picnic sites as well as two upgraded boat ramps, is located on the southern side. The lake is a popular spot for sailing small boats for salmon and trout fishing. A "no-wake" policy restricts boat speeds. A 5.5-mile hiking trail heads southwest across forested terrain to El Vado Lake State Park's grounds after crossing the Rio Chama Gorge on a pedestrian suspension bridge.

The artificial lake, which is the second-largest reservoir held by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, was made possible by the construction of the Coyote Dam. Heron Lake is utilized for recreation in addition to serving as a source of water.

Swimming is not permitted, but other water sports including water skiing, jet skiing, power boating, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking are allowed. Camping spots, hiking paths, picnic places, and Saturday night campfire activities are all offered in the neighborhood county park.

Location: Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

The reservoir known as Navajo Lake is situated in northwest New Mexico, in the southwestern United States, in the counties of San Juan and Rio Arriba. The reservoir extends into southern Colorado's Archuleta County in some places. The lake is a component of the Colorado River Storage Project, which administers the upper San Juan River and stores and releases water that is utilized for agriculture locally or eventually flows into the Colorado River in Utah.

Navajo Lake State Park is located on the lake's southern shorelines. The state park features two marinas, two boat ramps, and 200 camping and picnic areas. Boaters of all stripes, including powered boaters, canoers, kayakers, water skiers, and sailors, adore Navajo Lake. The San Juan River offers a campground, day-use spaces, and a tranquil route along the river. It is a premier fly-fishing location. Fishing and boating are two of the most popular activities at Navajo Lake. For smallmouth bass, northern pike, and black crappie, it is actually among the greatest locations in New Mexico. This lake is one of the best lakes in New Mexico.

Location: San Juan & Rio Arriba Counties, New Mexico

The Caballo Dam in southern New Mexico, USA, built the reservoir known as Caballo Lake, which is located on the Rio Grande. It is the fifth largest body of water in New Mexico in terms of volume and the fourth largest reservoir in terms of surface area. In Caballo Lake State Park, which is about 16 miles (26 km) south of Truth or Consequences, there is a lake. Recreational activities on the lake include boating, swimming, waterskiing, and fishing. Walleye, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill are some of the fish in the lake.

Caballo Lake is primarily visited for recreation, despite the fact that it is highly picturesque due to the Caballo Mountains that run along its eastern shore. Visitors who want to go boating, water skiing, windsurfing, or swimming frequently visit this area.

Thanks to the migrating birds that stop by this 4,500-acre lake on their way through, it is also a well-liked location for birdwatchers. Fishing for walleye, bass, crappie, and bluegill is excellent in this lake as well.

In the southern region of the state, Caballo Lake is located alongside the Rio Grande. Those who want to spend the night can camp in Caballo Lake State Park, which is located in the southwest part of the lake.

Location: Sierra County, New Mexico

Behind Conchan Dam on the Canadian River, in northeastern New Mexico, is the 25-mile-long reservoir known as Conchas Lake. The lake is 9,600 acres in size and is located at an elevation of 4,200 feet.

Conchas Lake State Park, which is split into north and south halves, is located close to the lake. Nine public boat ramps are available at the state park, with five in the north and four in the south. Walleye, largemouth bass, white bass, shad, flathead catfish, channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie can all be found in the lake. Between Hooverville and the town of Conchas is where the south region is situated. The lake is accessible to travelers via New Mexico State Road 104 at milepost 75, which is located 121 km southeast of Las Vegas and 47 km northwest of Tucumcari.

The lake beachfront is a fantastic location for hiking and bird-watching. Although it also allows boating and swimming, the lake is renowned for its excellent fishing. There are lots of campsites in Conchas Lake State Park for those who want to spend the night and watch the sunset. Additionally, there are places to go boat camping along the lake.

Location: San Miguel County, New Mexico

Elephant Butte Reservoir is a reservoir located 8.0 km north of Truth or Consequences on the Rio Grande's southern bank in the U.S. state of New Mexico. According to total surface area and peak volume, the reservoir is the largest artificial lake in the country and the biggest in New Mexico. Pelicans perched on or beside the lake are unique to this location in New Mexico. At Elephant Butte, there are also transient US Coast Guard bases. It is a part of the largest state park in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake State Park, and is impounded by Elephant Butte Dam.

Elephant Butte Reservoir is the most excellent beach in the state if you want to spend some time there. It also happens to be the biggest artificial lake in New Mexico! The gorgeous Elephant Butte Lake State Park includes the 14,800-hectare lake. This lovely park features a marina, camping, and picnic areas. The lake was given its name after a volcanic core with elephant-like features. This is currently a lake-centered island. This lake is one of the best lakes in New Mexico.

Location: Sierra County, New Mexico

In Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, in the southwest of the United States, there is a reservoir called El Vado Lake. The 196 m long and 53 m high earth-filled El Vado Dam on the Rio Chama, built in 1935, holds back water. The lake, which covers 13 km2 and is 8.0 km long by more than 1.6 km wide, is located at the height of 2,100 m.

El Vado Lake State Park is located on the lake's eastern coast and offers more than 100 camping and picnic areas as well as two upgraded boat ramps. The lake is a popular spot for boating and salmon and trout fishing. There are no restrictions on boat speeds, unlike the adjoining Heron Lake. A 5.5-mile (8.9-km) long hiking trail leads to Heron Lake State Park across the Rio Chama Gorge on a pedestrian suspension bridge.

El Vado Lake's north shore is bordered by a beautiful 8.9-kilometer hiking trail that connects it to Heron Lake State Park. The El Vado Lake State Park, which offers camping and picnicking areas, is located on the lake's eastern shore. Salmon and trout fishing are both ubiquitous in the lake. Visitors come here in the winter to go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Location: Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Abiquiu Lake reservoir is situated in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico's northernmost region, in the country's southwest. The 550 m long and 104 m high earth-filled Abiquiu Dam, built in 1963 and raised in 1986, holds back water from the Rio Chama.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages Abiquiu Lake, which has campgrounds and recreational areas. The lake, a 5,200-surface-acre reservoir, is home to some of northern New Mexico's best fishing. The Cerro Pedernal (Flint Mountain) may be seen in the region from the dam in a beautiful panoramic view. The local landscape features Juniper, Sage, Pinon (Pine), and deep rock formations. In the region, 200 million-year-old reptile fossils have been discovered.

Hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming are all common lakeside activities. Additionally, its 1,950-meter high height provides some breathtaking views. Tourists can enjoy 52 campsites at the Riana Campground, located along the lake's shore. Additionally, there is a playground there.

Location: Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Near Carlsbad, New Mexico, on US 285, and within Brantley Lake State Park, Brantley Lake is a reservoir on the Pecos River.

It is contained by the Brantley Dam, which was built as a component of the United States Bureau of Reclamation's Brantley Project and finished in the 1980s. The old McMillan Dam, which had been deemed unstable, was the project's primary goal. Irrigation, flood control, the improvement of fish and wildlife, and recreation are other advantages.

The 413,283,000 m3 capacity of Brantley Lake is designated for flood control purposes. The lake is surrounded by the Brantley Lake State Park, which offers visitors camping and hiking. The lake itself is a fantastic location for boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, white bass, bluegill, and crappie are just a few examples of warm water fish that anglers can catch.

Brantley Lake is well-liked by anglers since it is stocked with largemouth bass, white bass, walleye, channel catfish, and other species. Additionally, the bird watching is outstanding.

Location: Eddy County, New Mexico

In the west central region of New Mexico, Snow Lake is a tiny reservoir with a nearby camping spot. It is situated at a height of 7,313 feet above sea level in the Gila National Forest.

At the campground's southern end, an earthen dam creates Snow Lake. Actually, the Gila River's Middle Fork is the stream. The Gila Wilderness is on the other side of the dam, down the route. The Middle Fork, a little creek at this location, flows alongside the road in a beautiful environment. Near the ocean, flat grassy spaces are dotted with benches or barrancas. The trail repeatedly crosses the brook. When the Middle Fork joins Iron Creek.

The lake is surrounded by ponderosa pine trees, and on its western side lies a campground. Furthermore, there is a boat ramp for non-motorized boats and 40 constructed plots.

Snow Lake is at its most beautiful from April to November. This is due to the area's natural features and the fact that it's a perfect season to see wildlife including elk, bears, deer, and turkeys.

Location: west-central New Mexico

Northeast of Raton, New Mexico, in Sugarite Canyon State Park, on the boundary between New Mexico and Colorado, lies a reservoir known as Lake Maloya. The city and its surrounding areas get their water primarily from this source. The lake's surface is 7,516 feet above sea level when it is full.

Here, you can go kayaking, canoeing, boating, and fishing. On the New Mexico side, there is only one public boat ramp from which people can enter the lake.

Birdwatchers have long made Lake Maloya a favorite location. Some of the birds that can be observed near the lake are belted kingfishers, ospreys, Canada geese, bald eagles, Western grebes, and great-horned owls.

There is also a variety of fauna along the shoreline of Lake Maloya. The west side of Lake Maloya offers year-round viewing of cottontail rabbits. Raccoon, porcupine, short-tailed weasel, Albert, Douglas, rock squirrels, least chipmunk, striped skunk, and tiny brown bat are some additional wildlife species that call this area home.

Location: Colfax County, New Mexico

Williams Lake is an alpine lake in Taos County, New Mexico, in the United States. It is situated beneath Wheeler Peak in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness of the Carson National Forest, high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Williams Lake Trail leads to the lake from the Taos Ski Valley trailhead. The name honors William Frazer, a gold miner who established claims nearby and helped found Twining during the late 1800s.

Williams Lake is only reachable on foot from the Taos Ski Valley via the Williams Lake Trail. In addition to being one of the most popular trails in the region, this one is also one of the most beautiful.

Along the walk, there are signs and some absolutely stunning views. Along the road, there is a tiny waterfall and an inn where travelers can stop for a beverage. The 2-mile Williams Lake trail ascends steadily through woodlands while following the Lake Fork of the Rio Hondo. Take some time after you arrive at Williams Lake to admire the splendor of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and this gorgeous high alpine lake. This is the ideal time to relax by the water and have a quick picnic. Williams Lake is one of the best lakes to visit in New Mexico.

Location: Taos County, New Mexico