Storrie Lake State Park is six miles from the historic Las Vegas, New Mexico and is open year-round, although water and other amenities are only available from May through mid-September. The park boasts six campgrounds around the lake with a total of 45 developed campsites. However, only one campground with 10 campsites are reservable. The 1,100-acre lake is a great place to fish, swim, boat, or do some windsurfing. In fact, it is so popular that the Hobie Cat Flotilla 48 racing is held here during the season.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range makes a stunning background as you sit by the lake and watch the sun go down or you can watch the sunrise from one of the many campsites available. These mountains have an elevation of 14,351 feet at Blanca Peak, and they are the southern subrange of the Rocky Mountains. The name of these mountains is thought to refer to the reddish hue you can see during sunrise and sunset.
If you need any food or supplies for the RV or boat, it is a short 10-minute drive to the town of Las Vegas where you will find everything you need. This town is famous for its legends about Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday living or visiting there. Stop by the historic museum to learn more before heading out of town.
Not far from Interstate 25, you can find Storrie Lake State Park on highway 518. The drive from the interstate is straight, level, and easy for any size motorhome or rig to maneuver. Once you get into the park, you will find that much of the park is made with RVs in mind so you should have no trouble getting around. As you head around the lake, you may run into some spots with low clearance due to tree branches so be alert.
If you are in a big rig, the south campground is the best spot to reserve because all the sites are pull-thru. However, there are also several at the other end of the park at the boating campground that would work too but they are not reservable so get there early. Once you park your trailer or campervan, you can walk around the entire park with no problem to get to the lake, visitor center, one of the shower houses, restrooms, or the playground.
If biking is your thing, make sure to attach some bikes to the RV because the level ground and paved roads make it fun and easy to get around on two wheels. If you have a boat, it is best to reserve one of the South Area sites or get there early to get a spot in the Boating Campground because there are not many, and it fills up fast.
The South Area Campground is the only one that allows reservations here. It has 10 campsites, seven with electricity and water access. These are all pull-thru sites easily accessible for any rig and trailer up to 40 feet. The playground for the kids is right inside the campground, and there is a restroom at the south end of the campground. The lake is within 500 feet of each site, and they all have a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. You can bring your pooch but make sure they are on a leash of no more than 10 feet long.
The North Area Campground has 10 campsites right next to the water. All have water access, a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table. There's potable water available in the campground as well and two picnic shelters with vault toilets. You can bring your pooch but make sure they are on a leash of no more than 10 feet long.
The Boating Campground has 10 campsites that are large enough for a big rig and trailer with electric, a fire ring, tent pad, and picnic table. The boat ramp here has two launching lanes that are 36 feet wide and 260 feet long. You can bring your pooch but make sure they are on a leash of no more than 10 feet long.
Whether you have a bass fishing boat, pleasure cruiser, canoe, or kayak, you will have plenty of room on the 1,100-acre lake so be sure to hook up the boat trailer before heading out. The boating campground is at the north end of the park, and they do not take reservations, so it is best to get there early. If you are planning a day on the lake with the boat, bring sunscreen because the New Mexico sun is abundant and bright.
Are you looking to catch a trophy bass or catfish or just want to get some panfish for dinner at the campsite? Then make sure you pack your poles and fishing tackle in the rig before you head out. Bring along a net too so that you can haul in the huge ones. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department stocks the lake regularly with bass, catfish, and rainbow trout but there are also sunfish, bluegill, and bream.
Storrie Lake is a fantastic spot to swim no matter where you go in. You can jump from the dock or wade in on the sandy beach, whatever you prefer. However, there are no lifeguards so swim at your own risk and watch out for others. The restrooms and showers are available at the campgrounds or by the visitor center as well as a picnic area. So leave the RV at the campsite and walk to the lake for a dip before dinner.
The Waterfront Campground has five campsites with water access and is right next to the entrance, visitor center, shower house, and restrooms with running water. There is also an RV dump station between this campground and the South Area Campground. You can bring your pooch but make sure they are on a leash of no more than 10 feet long.
This small campground is just outside the state park and has a shower house, restrooms with flush toilets and running water, and a sheltered picnic area.
You are also allowed to camp on the beach but there are no amenities, no reservations, and it is first-come, first-served.
The campground is open all year and during the off season is the best time to go if you are not interested in swimming. In fact, the cooler months are the best time to catch rainbow trout if you are looking for dinner. You probably won’t even need to reserve your spot, but if you have a large RV or motorhome, it is best to reserve one of the pull-thru sites in the South Area Campground just to be sure.
Storrie Lake was built in 1916 by R.C. Storrie who was hired by the Las Vegas Land Grant trustees. The lake was completed in 1921 and sold in 1922, but they left his name on it. The visitor center at Storrie Lake State Park can give you the background information on the lake and the historic Las Vegas, New Mexico area. They have historical photos of the Santa Fe Trail and images of the Old West characters in 19th century Las Vegas as well as other artifacts from that century.
You can picnic anytime in New Mexico since it rarely gets below 35 degrees even in the wintertime. There are picnic tables, BBQ pits, pavilions, and plenty of gorgeous views to see while you eat. While you are waiting for the food to cook, you can play a game of horseshoes and then work off the calories afterward with a game of volleyball. There’s vault toilets available for your convenience, but the other facilities are closed from October through April.
