Smaller Lakes (No-wake Lakes)

There are many no-wake lakes in New Mexico, that are perfect for kayaking, kayak fishing, sailing and other recreation.  These smaller lakes are great for kayak fishing, bird watching, introducing kids to kayaking or people with disabilities to Adaptive Kayaking.  Some lakes can get quite windy, so use caution when paddling with kids or adaptive kayaking.  They're also a great place to pack for your first over-night trip; that way, if you forget something important, your vehicle is usually not far away.

Cochiti Lake:

 Cochiti Lake is just 50 miles north of Albuquerque and 30 miles south of Santa Fe.  There are two designated recreation areas for access to the lake; the Cochiti Recreation Area (West of the lake) and Tetilla Peak Recreation Area (Northeast of the lake).  The Cochiti Lake Recreation Area is open year-around, while Tetilla Peak is open from April through October.  In all, Cochiti Lake has a total surface area of more than 1,200 acres.

 

The "Painted Cave" in Capulin Canyon can be easily accessed by launching at Tetilla Peak, paddling ~2 hours up the Rio Grande River and hiking ~1mile into Capulin Canyon. Launching at Tetilla Peak cuts the travel time in half.  Currents can be stronger when the river is higher (usually Spring and early Summer) so reading the river and using eddies help make the upstream paddle much easier.  

Santa Cruz:

Santa Cruz Lake is about 30 miles north of Santa Fe, at the base of the Sangria de Christo mountains near Chimayo.  At maximum capacity, the lake is 121 acres.  It's about 1.5 miles long and .5 miles wide.  The lake is deep in the canyon, so it's relatively protected from wind and large cottonwood trees provide shade and a great place to hang a hammock. The water quality is crystal clear, but often cooler than one may expect.  It's one of my favorite spots for an easy flat-water trip!

See also: Santa Cruz creek (Intermediate / Advanced whitewater)

 

 

Heron Lake:

Heron Lake is 5900 surface acres of crystal clear water, perfect for kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and more.  The surrounding State Park includes additional 4100 acres.  The annual Heron Lake Paddle Festival draws paddlers and campers from the 4-corners region for a fun weekend of kayak demos, short clinics, tours, kayak fishing workshops and more. 

"A picturesque lake set among tall pines, Heron Lake State Park has been designated a "quiet lake" where boats operate at no-wake speeds only. This park is known for its excellent sailing, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and hiking." Heron Lake State Park

 

 


Sunset kayaking on Heron Lake

Bluewater Lake:

Bluewater Lake State Park is located in the Zuni Mountains about 40 miles west of Grants.  The park itself encompasses approximately 3,000 acres and the lake has a surface area of about 1,200 acres.  The park is popular for fishing, kayak fishing and bird watching, with 68 different species of birds either calling the park home, or passing through the park on their annual migrations.

 

Fenton Lake:

Fenton Lake is a popular getaway spot in the Jemez Mountains, just about 1.5 hours northwest of Albuquerque. At 35 acres, Fenton Lake is a popular year-round retreat surrounded by a beautiful ponderosa pine forest.  Fenton Lake host a number of annual events, such as National Hunting & Fishing Day, summer camps and adventure races.  It's also a great place to introduce kids to kayaking for the first time.

 

NMKI sponsors National Hunting & Fishing Day for the Jemez Valley School District