Sarib Jot Khalsa and Sebastian Crespo, from Santa Fe, and Erika and Ed Lucero, from Embudo, take turns surfing the new Abiquiu Wave on the Chama River near the Abuquiu Lake Dam, Tuesday May 26, 2020. Dozens of people come daily to play on the wave created by New Mexico Game and Fish, the Army Corp of Engineers and Riverbend Engineering.
Eddie Moore
Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth TuckerElizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer
As summer approaches and temperatures rise, a dip in a cool body of water sounds more and more appealing. Although New Mexico is a desert, there are still many places to splash around the state.
Here are four places to enjoy taking a cool dip this summer.
Camping: $10 for primitive tent sites with no utilities
$15 for trailer accessible sites without utility hookups
$20 for camp sites with full electrical and water hookups
$15 for trailer accessible sites without utility hookups
$20 for camp sites with full electrical and water hookups
Enjoy fishing, boating, camping, hiking and water sports at this 5,200 surface acre reservoir. Reptile fossils from 200 million years ago have been found in the area. Camping reservations can be made online.
Blue Hole is one of seven sister lakes connected by an underground water system. This unique watering hole fills with 3,000 gallons of water every minute from the natural flow. The hole is bell-shaped and is 80 feet across and 130 feet deep. The water is so clear, you can see all the way to the bottom. This is a popular scuba diving spot, and permits can be purchased on-site.
If you've never been scuba diving and are curious to try it, the on-site diving center offers equipment rentals and training for beginners.
Visitors are also welcome to swim in the hole and the water stays a constant 62 degrees, perfect for a dip on a hot summer's day.
Restrooms and a picnic area is submerged in water at Cochiti Lake on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Jon Austria/ Albuquerque Journal)Jon Austria
Jacob Romero of Albuquerque prepares his kayak for a trip around Cochiti Lake.Jon Austria
Paul Swanson and his dog Lilly, of Albuquerque, walk along the floating dock at the Cochiti Lake.Jon Austria
A submerged sign is pictured at Cochiti Lake on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Jon Austria/ Albuquerque Journal)Jon Austria
A white bass is measured on a Hawg Trough. The top five fish length measurements for each angler determine the winner of the 10th annual Elephant Butte Lake Kayak Fishing Tournament.Courtesy of Zia Kayak Outfitters
The winner of the 2022 Elephant Butte Lake Kayak Fishing Tournament, Dante Williams, poses with the first-prize kayak. This year, anglers are competing to win a Hobie Lynx Kayak.Courtesy of Zia Kayak Outfitters
Largemouth bass is one of the eligible fish for the 10th annual Elephant Butte Lake Kayak Fishing Tournament. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and white bass.Courtesy of Zia Kayak Outfitters
Two ravens sore over Abiquiu Lake during a the annual eagle count, Saturday, January 6, 2023.Eddie Moore
Biologist Katherine Eagleson served as guide for volunteers on an Army Corps of Engineers maintenance boat that prowled Abiquiú Lake looking for bald eagles on Saturday.Eddie Moore
Santa Fe City, State and National water policy officials, spent the weekend rafting the Chama River from El Vado Dam to near Abiquiu Lake. The trip was put togather to give the official a chance to talk about water issues in a different setting.Eddie Moore
Cormorants perch on a tree on Abiquiu Lake.Journal File
Ed Lucero surfs the Abiquiú Wave on the Chama River near the Abuquiu Lake Dam in 2020.Eddie Moore
Sarib Jot Khalsa and Sebastian Crespo, from Santa Fe, and Erika and Ed Lucero, from Embudo, take turns surfing the new Abiquiu Wave on the Chama River near the Abuquiu Lake Dam, Tuesday May 26, 2020. Dozens of people come daily to play on the wave created by New Mexico Game and Fish, the Army Corp of Engineers and Riverbend Engineering.Eddie Moore
Milo Light uses a kayak to surf the Abiquiú Wave on the Chama River below the Abiquiú Lake Dam in 2020.Eddie Moore
A family from Albuquerque docks their boat after a day of boating on Abiquiu Lake, Tuesday September 14, 2021. Signs around the lake warn people of blue green algae in the water. The lake often has issue with the toxic algae during the heat of the summer but not usually in mid-September.Eddie Moore
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hauls a group of bird watchers and volunteers around Abiquiu Lake looking for eagles. This was their first annual Midwinter Eagle Watch held at the lake.Eddie Moore
A bald eagle flies along the shore of Abiquiu Lake Saturday morning. Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with a group of bird watchers and volunteers spent Saturday morning counting the eagles around the lake.Eddie Moore
Carlos Vanderzanden, left, from Hernandez, and Davina Archuleta, from Espanola, fish at Abiquiu Lake, Tuesday July 5, 2011. Behind them smoke from the Las Conchas Fire billows into the sky.Eddie Moore
Abiquiu Lake in July 2020. Officials are closing vehicle access to the swim beach and paddle boat ramp amid a ranger shortage and hiring freeze.Eddie Moore
Under water archaeologist Adriane Askins tests her new dry suit in the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa. April 1996Journal File
Chaves county deputy sheriff Kyle Bayless exits Blue Hole after a dive to operate a large suction hose to suck debris from the bottom of Blue Hole Lake at Santa Rosa. Feb. 2003Journal File
Visitors dive into crystal clear waters of Blue Hole, just off the highway in Santa Rosa.Courtesy of the New Mexico Tourism Department
