Navajo Lake Park, NM Weather Cams
Navajo Lake Cam
Navajo Lake State Park: New Mexico’s Waterfront Gem Shaped by History and Progress
Navajo Lake Park, NM Weather Cams. Navajo Lake State Park emerged from one of New Mexico’s most ambitious water management projects of the 20th century. The park surrounds Navajo Lake, a vast reservoir created by the damming of the San Juan River as part of the Colorado River Storage Project. Construction of Navajo Dam began in 1957 and was completed in 1962, transforming the landscape of northwestern New Mexico and creating what would become one of the state’s premier recreational destinations.
Before the dam’s construction, the area was primarily ranch land inhabited by scattered farming and ranching families. The region had a rich history of Native American presence, particularly the Navajo and Ute peoples, who had lived and traded along the San Juan River for centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests human habitation in the area dating back thousands of years, with numerous ancient Puebloan sites discovered during the reservoir’s development.
The creation of Navajo Lake flooded approximately 15,600 acres of land, creating New Mexico’s second-largest lake after Elephant Butte Reservoir. Recognizing the recreational potential of this new waterway, the New Mexico State Parks Division established Navajo Lake State Park in 1964. The park’s development marked a significant shift in the region’s economic focus, transitioning from purely agricultural uses to include outdoor recreation and tourism.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the park underwent substantial development. Facilities were constructed to accommodate boating, fishing, and camping activities. Multiple marinas were established, including the Pine River Marina and Two Rivers Marina, providing visitors with boat launching facilities and storage options. Campgrounds were developed along the shoreline, offering both primitive and developed camping experiences for visitors.
The park’s wildlife population adapted and thrived in the new ecosystem created by the lake. The reservoir became renowned for its fishing opportunities, supporting populations of bass, pike, catfish, and kokanee salmon. The introduction of these fish species transformed Navajo Lake into one of New Mexico’s premier fishing destinations, attracting anglers from across the country.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the park expanded its amenities to include additional camping areas, improved boat ramps, and enhanced visitor facilities. The development of the Quality Waters section below Navajo Dam created a world-class trout fishery, further diversifying the park’s recreational offerings. This tailwater fishery became famous for its large rainbow and brown trout, attracting fly fishing enthusiasts from around the globe.
Today, Navajo Lake State Park encompasses more than 21,000 acres of land and water, making it one of New Mexico’s largest state parks. The park continues to serve as a vital recreational resource, hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who come to enjoy boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The lake also plays a crucial role in water management, providing irrigation water for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project and municipal water supplies for surrounding communities.
The park’s history reflects the broader story of water resource development in the American Southwest and demonstrates how large-scale infrastructure projects can create new opportunities for recreation and tourism while serving essential water management functions. As climate change and water scarcity become increasingly pressing concerns in the region, Navajo Lake State Park remains an important example of how careful resource management can balance multiple needs while providing valuable recreational opportunities for the public.
For more information, visit New Mexico’s state park website.