Eagle Nest Lake State Park
Guide

Anglers won’t be disappointed by the fishing or the views at Eagle Nest. Whether you’re casting from a boat in the middle of the water or from a spot you’ve hiked to along the shoreline, you can soak up some Rocky Mountain sun and enjoy some high country tranquility. Konakee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass are just some of the species anglers can pull from the water. If you pull a norther pike, do the lake a favor and keep it! The pike were introduced accidentally and have a detrimental effect on many of the other stocked species.

Kayaks, motorboats and even sailboats are a common site on Eagle Nest Lake in the dog days of summer. The lake’s high elevation (it sits at about 8000’) means that temperatures are rarely sweltering, even in July and August. Paddlers and sailors can explore over 2,400 acres of pristine alpine water, taking in the dramatic views of nearby mountains and rocky, tree-covered slopes that dip into the lake. The park’s boat launch is conveniently located right by the campground, and there is a marina and boat rental concessionaire on site as well.

For those wanting to stretch their legs and take in the lake or explore Moreno Creek, the park offers several miles of hiking trails. Trailheads can be found at the visitor center and at the Moreno Day use area. Additional trails, which offer great views of sheer canyons walls and rugged, pine-clad mountains, can be found at nearby Cimarron Canyon State Park. If you are seeking a truly stunning vista (and if you don’t mind working up a sweat) take a short drive west to Carson National Forest and take the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail (#67). This calf-and-quad- shredding trek gains nearly 3,000 ft in just over two miles and rewards hikers with a marvelous panorama from atop New Mexico’s highest point.

Eagle Nest Lake and the surrounding mountains and forests are prime, montane habitats home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Bear, elk, deer, fox, coyote and marmot are all common to the area, and cougars and bighorn sheep can be occasionally seen too. The lake’s waters attract both seasonal migrants and permanent residents. Take a pair of binoculars and look out for osprey, hawks, herons, pelicans, and, of course, bald eagles, who frequently nest along the shore.

Anglers need not put away their reels once the weather turns frosty. Extremely cold nights at 8000’ means Eagle Nest Lake usually accumulates a healthy layer of ice on its surface by the end of December. Ice fishing is a popular winter pastime in the area, and there is even an annual ice-fishing tournament on the lake. Ice-fishers should note that the opening of the lake to ice-fishing varies seasonally (depending on the ice’s thickness); you can check with the State Parks Division of New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources department to get up-to-date conditions.

Snowmobilers can buzz around and even onto Eagle Nest Lake once winter snows blanket the area. Though it’s in New Mexico, Eagle Nest’s northerly location and high elevation makes its climate similar to much of the Colorado Rockies. The park receives an average of 62 inches of snow per year, and that snowfall is spread out over several months, meaning the snowmobiling window is a long one. And if you’ve thoroughly explored Eagle Nest, Carson National Forest and its many miles of snowmobiling trails is right nearby.