I mean look at it here. Who wouldn't want to come here?" says John Mueller, Operations Manager at Abiquiu Lake. Mueller is explaining why he moved from North Carolina, his home, to Hawaii, to Eastern New Mexico, to finally settling in Northern New Mexico at Abiquiu Lake. Abiquiu Lake is a 5200 acre surface reservoir in Abiquiu, New Mexico. It is a beautiful high-desert reservoir, sitting at over 6000 feet above sea level, with backdrops of sandstone cliffs and deep beautiful blue water.
The lake formation was made by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the late 50s- early 60s. "It is for flood control for the Chama River, a river that feeds into the Rio Grande," Mueller says. Originally the lake was, "kind of a puddle against the dam," until the San Juan Chama Project came into being, part of which is 25 miles of tunnels that pass underneath the continental divide. "After that project came online, we were authorized to get a lot more water," he says. Not only did this give a reservoir for urban areas in New Mexico (Albuquerque purchases 52% of the lakes water), but also support of recreation.
“Abiquiu Lake is open to all types of water sports, including windsurfing, water-skiing and paddleboarding.” [Photo Courtesy: Iberian Explorer]
The recreation area, open from April 15th to October 15th, boasts 64 camping sites, hiking trails, and just about any water sport one can think of. "This is a place to play in the water," Mueller says, "We are a full wake lake, so you can canoe, kayak, water ski, fish, swim, anything." The campground has tent and electric sites ($8 for tent, $16 for water and electric) and half of them may be reserved, while the others are walk in. "We get people that plan to come here as it is a nice place to stop for snowbirds and people passing through," Mueller says, "And we get folks from the area that come up for the weekend, especially when the weather starts getting nice in May through the summer."
An important note about the campground and recreation area is that it’s an alcohol free zone, as in one cannot even have alcohol in possession at the campground. "In 2008 we decided to go alcohol free due to incidents and fatalities related to alcohol," Mueller says. This caters to a safe and family friendly campground. "It causes a bit of difficulty with some rangers," he says, "As some folks don't realize it is an alcohol free area as it is kind of unique in New Mexico."
People really enjoy the lake. Not just locals, but people that are crisscrossing the west in search of beauty. One reviewer on TripAdvisor says, “Tent, trailer and RV camping overlooking lake with spectacular mesa and Cerro Pedernal views. This beautiful campground is managed by the Corps of Engineers of all people. Spotlessly clean restrooms and showers. Most spots are very private with covered picnic table, grill and fire ring. Just amazing.” Ever more, most of the reviews on the site are in consensus with this assessment.
Another major draw to the area is Abiquiu’s most famous former resident, Georgia O’Keefe. Georgia O’Keefe’s home and studio was at Ghost Ranch, about 10 miles away from the lake. Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center is presently owned by the Presbyterian Church and has everything from classes, workshops, and horseback riding tours to an Anthropology Museum, Paleontology museum, and 21,000 acres of beauty.
The history of Ghost Ranch is very much in line with western folklore. It was originally named Ghost Ranch by cattle rustlers aiming to throw off people from their stolen goods by saying the area was haunted. Later, it was won by a guy in a poker game, then sold to Arthur Pack who introduced it to Georgia O’Keefe by saying it was the most beautiful place in the world. O’Keefe made several things famous from the area in her paintings, including the Cerro Pedernal, a mesa on the land as well as the infamous ox skull in her paintings, which has become the logo for Ghost Ranch.
“People like the campground here because of the safety, beauty and cleanliness,” Mueller says, “The gates close at 10pm, we have a deputy that lives on the premises, and park rangers are always patrolling.” Besides the safety, the things to do in the area are plentiful. In a land where water is scarce, Abiquiu Lake is a welcome respite from the desert lands and one that gives people every opportunity a recreation lake would offer to people throughout the United States - whether that is boating, kayaking, swimming, or just a pretty sight. Mueller appreciatively ends with saying, “On my off days, I can take advantage of all the activities Northern New Mexico offers, like hunting, fishing, and of course, the beautiful scenery.”
Adventure, Camping, Destinations, New Mexico, Parks & Recreation