Navajo Lake State Park
Navajo Lake State Park
4
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4.0
81 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
27
Average
6
Poor
7
Terrible
3
ajnavy04
Denver, CO247 contributions
Dec 2020
I did not actually enter the full State Park, but rather took the road down to the dam. The dam is awesome and has some really nice quick pathways to walk down for some incredible views. The rest of the park is ok, but worth going a bit out of the way to see if you are in the area.
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mhouse2001
Phoenix, AZ44 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
I camped overnight at a spot overlooking the lake and did not partake in the other activities that are possible at this state park. The cost was only $8 and I was probably the only one in the section where I stayed. Be forewarned: A regular car might find the roads leading into and around the campgrounds to be a bit risky since they were rutted and covered with large rocks and gravel. There were other campgrounds that preceded the earthen dam that makes the lake possible (I approached from the west). I'm glad I skipped those riverside campsites so I could enjoy my view of the lake. I was able to traverse the sloping landscape from my site to walk along the lake. The various rocks on the shore were amazing. I awoke in the morning to a glorious sunrise and took many pictures of the view right outside my tent. A very quiet and relaxing experience.
Written 10 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NMMuggles
Questa58 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Made reservations at Cottonwood Campground thru Reserveamerica. NM State brochure said showers were available. Well, not at THIS campground! We've been on the road for 3 weeks, no shower in 6 days & we were really looking forward to a shower & down day before our last leg home. Campground is NOT near any water ( where's the lake?) and it's full of foxtails and dried out whatever. Little shade. I will NEVER come here again, and will be sure to let NM Tourism board know about this. BTW, I am a NM resident, so know New Mexico.
Written 13 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RaiderRobert
Los Angeles3 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
camped here for 3 nights, absolutely beautiful place, the campgrounds were well kept, very clean bathrooms and dog friendly, loved it !
Written 29 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2462skiing
Connecticut245 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Kids kept running through our site. No manners! Loud boat noise. Constant noise from other sites. Dead grass, no trees. Loud music. Horrible place to camp unless planning to be out on the lake all day. Felt like a goldfish in its bowl. Cranky entrance woman. Opened the window and said, "Wadda ya want". Seriously.....not like any of the other CO state parks we have been.
Written 9 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
desertlavender
Tucson34 contributions
Jul 2021
We organized a reunion at Navajo Lake based on a wonderful weekend we spent there 10 years ago. Little did we know that since then the lake level has dropped precipitously, to the point where access to the lake requires a treacherous hike. How cruel, to be camped near a beautiful lake that you can’t get to in 100-degree heat! A few of us stronger hikers made it down to the “beach”, but of course it was jam-packed with noisy jet skis and ghetto blasters. A nearby all-night party turned ugly with screaming and threats of violence. Two sets of campers spoke to the ranger about it, but she told us we should have called 911 and then drove off because she thought the partiers should “get some sleep”. What a total $hit show. BTW we shelled out over $260 for our sites. Would have been better off at a cheap motel with a swimming pool!
Written 26 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dale L
Indian Valley, ID70 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
The river and canyon land were great for judging a AKC retriever performance event.
But really this is a world class fly fishing Mecca. We only saw a small portion of the park but in Oct it was absolutely beautiful with the autumn yellow cottonwoods and populars. The canyon is very picturesque and the river as out of a movie or postcard. This river is famous for its fish and the tiny fly patterns used to catch them.
Will come back someday for what this local is really meant for, fly fishing. Highly recommended.
But really this is a world class fly fishing Mecca. We only saw a small portion of the park but in Oct it was absolutely beautiful with the autumn yellow cottonwoods and populars. The canyon is very picturesque and the river as out of a movie or postcard. This river is famous for its fish and the tiny fly patterns used to catch them.
Will come back someday for what this local is really meant for, fly fishing. Highly recommended.
Written 9 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colorado traveler
Pagosa Springs, CO47 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
The views are beautiful and our first day was very pleasant. Shoreline was pretty. The second night was very noisy until quite late, maybe midnight. No one seemed to do anything about it. The bathroom in the lowest campground is out of service for maintenance so the closest restroom is quite a walk from the nonelectric sites where we camped. The toilets were a total wreck and I wouldn't want to be the one cleaning them. Don't know if this is typical or not, but they were clean when we arrived on Friday and again Sat morning. Otherwise, this is a nice destination with plenty of space to roam and pretty sites.
Written 20 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GREGORY S
Sandia Park, NM87 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
A well kept park with two major campsites. RV friendly dump sites. Electric and water as well as covered picnic tables. The staff are friendly and hard working.
Written 15 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon H
10 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
We finally found the park that was in New Mexico so we could use our state parks pass. It was so crowded and the sites were so close together.
There were not many sites left. There was one that would accommodate our RV that was on the water. It was empty but it was a host site. When I went to reservation site on computer it was listed as walk-in. They still wouldn't let us have it for 1 night because if there was an "emergency" they would need it.
We finally got in a small pull-through that we could not get level. The people across the way kept letting their kids come through our campsite. They were messing with our satellite wires and teasing our dogs (who were inside). Beautiful lake but terrible campgrounds. We left early the next morning.
There were not many sites left. There was one that would accommodate our RV that was on the water. It was empty but it was a host site. When I went to reservation site on computer it was listed as walk-in. They still wouldn't let us have it for 1 night because if there was an "emergency" they would need it.
We finally got in a small pull-through that we could not get level. The people across the way kept letting their kids come through our campsite. They were messing with our satellite wires and teasing our dogs (who were inside). Beautiful lake but terrible campgrounds. We left early the next morning.
Written 17 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone tell me if there are camp sites next to the water and if so which ones? Thanks!
Written 27 August 2019
Yes on the New Mexico side there are campsites near the water within the state park or if you have a boat or drive out of the state park you can beach camp as well.
Written 27 August 2019
If the campsite is 15 miles always from the lake can I drive there do do we have to walk?
Written 7 August 2019
you can drive directly to the marina to get to the lake.
Written 7 August 2019
Sorry about the long delay in getting to your question. Navajo Lake can be "iffy" during the winter. For the exact answer you need to contact them directly. Generally speaking- the lake is open year round and only a few camping spots hard to get into during snow or ice conditions.
Written 11 January 2019
Truthfully can't answer as we were only on the river below dam but there are boat launch areas at the reservoir and most certain that swimming would be possible? I would check out the state park web site for more information.
Written 6 May 2018
Depends on Carrier and it's spotty
Written 17 September 2016
I have never fished this lake before...we are staying in a cabin on the Colorado side. I'd like to know how to fish this lake from the shore as I have no boat...what do I need to know about the fishing?
Written 18 August 2015
We did not fish. We only rode by the lake once in a thunderstorm and there were no people fishing.
Written 19 August 2015
Which loop did you camp at ? We are looking at Cottonwood as we will be fly fishing.
Written 20 May 2015
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