We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

El Vado Lake, New Mexico, USA

Also known as:  El Vado Reservoir

El Vado Lake, situated in New Mexico’s northern mountains, is located west of Tierra Amarilla in Rio Arriba Counnty. Surrounded by acres of mixed juniper and sandstone formations, El Vado Lake is a delightful getaway. The lake stretches five miles, and has approximately 12 miles of shoreline. Recreational activities include boating, swimming, waterskiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. El Vado Lake was formed by impounding the…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to El Vado Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for El Vado Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About El Vado Lake, NM

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - New Mexico - North-Central, NM -

    El Vado Lake, situated in New Mexico’s northern mountains, is located west of Tierra Amarilla in Rio Arriba Counnty. Surrounded by acres of mixed juniper and sandstone formations, El Vado Lake is a delightful getaway. The lake stretches five miles, and has approximately 12 miles of shoreline. Recreational activities include boating, swimming, waterskiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing.

    El Vado Lake was formed by impounding the waters form the Chama and Brazos Rivers which flow from the San Juan Mountain Range. The construction of El Vado Reservoir began in 1933, and its original purpose was to provide conservation storage for irrigation use on the middle Rio Grande lands. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District completed the dam in 1935, and the dam was updated and modified in later years by the Bureau of Reclamation which now controls the dam. El Vado Dam is steel and earth- filled and is one of the few dams in the world to incorporate a metal face to impound water.

    Boating and water skiing are favorite pastimes on El Vado Lake. Unlike some of the other nearby likes, El Vado is not designated as a no-wake lake. However, El Vado does offer a large area for flat-water paddlers. That way kayakers or canoers can enjoy their time at the lake as well as other boaters. There is a boat ramp located at the north end of the lake via State 95. In addition to boating, fishing is very popular at El Vado Lake. Largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill and kokanee salmon are some of the fish anglers enjoy catching. El Vado Lake is stocked annually with two-inch rainbow fry by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Visitors need a state fishing license and a trout stamp.

    Visitors can enjoy five different campgrounds at El Vado Lake State Park. Three of the five campgrounds are developed and the other two are primitive. There is a five and a half mile scenic trail along the Rio Chama that connects El Vado Lake with the nearby Heron Lake. Nature watchers may enjoy viewing red-tailed hawks and ospreys or bald eagles in the winter. The State Park is managed by the New Mexico Division of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation.

    Winter or summer there is something for everyone at EL Vado Lake. When temperatures begin to rise during the summer months, you can expect El Vado Lake to be full of water skiers and pleasure boats and watercrafts of all kinds. When cooler months arrive, hunters and anglers become prominent around the lake. Visitors will have a fun and relaxing time no matter when they visit.

    Things to Do at El Vado Lake

    These are some activities in the El Vado Lake, NM area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Hunting
    • Birding
    • State Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in El Vado Lake?

    El Vado Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Brown Trout
    • Kokanee Salmon
    • Lake Trout
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Salmon
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at El Vado Lake

    If you’re considering a El Vado Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a El Vado Lake Vacation

    Our interactive El Vado Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    El Vado Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: US Bureau of Reclamation

    Surface Area: 3,200 acres

    Shoreline Length: 12 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 6,901 feet

    Maximum Depth: 170 feet

    Water Volume: 195,440 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1935

    Drainage Area: 492 sq. miles

    El Vado Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop El Vado Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    SHOP NOW
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More El Vado Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The El Vado Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New El Vado Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this El Vado Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: