Abiquiu Lake

A Little Piece of Information About Abiquiu Lake

Abiquiu Lake

Abiquiu Lake is a reservoir located in Rio Arriba County, in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Water of the Rio Chama is impounded by the earth-filled Abiquiu Dam, 1,800 feet (550 m) long and 340 feet (104 m) high, completed in 1963 and raised in 1986. The 5,200-acre (21 km2) lake is over 12 miles (20 km) long, and lies at elevations of up to 6,100 feet (1,860 m).

The shoreline area near the dam is a recreation area managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Available activities include camping, picnicing, hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing.

Abiquiu Lake Rio - Arriba County -North-Central New Mexico

Abiquiu Lake, located in Rio Arriba County in North-Central New Mexico, is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Abiquiu Lake offers recreation areas for camping, boating, swimming, kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, water skiing and more.

Surrounded by pine, juniper, and sage, as well as red sandstone cliffs and mesas, Abiquiu Lake was constructed by impounding the Chama River, a tributary of the legendary Rio Grande River, in 1963 as a project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Measuring 1,540 feet long and rising 321 feet above the riverbed, Abiquiu Dam, an earthen filled dam, is the second of three dams constructed in the Chama River watershed.

Fishing is a popular pastime at Abiquiu Reservoir. Visitors with a New Mexico fishing license can cast in their line for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and rainbow trout. Geocaching, the treasure hunting game using a GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants, is also allowed at Abiquiu Lake, but only with prior authorization from the lake manager.

Visitors who want to relax and enjoy Abiquiu Lake will have a great time at the Riana Campground, located on a 150-foot rock bluff overlooking Abiquiu Lake. Open from April 1-October 15, visitors have access to campsites as well as a playground, showers, dump station, visitor center, and fishing areas.

When not in the water, Abiquiu Lake visitors may enjoy nearby attractions including the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Ghost Ranch, and Chaco Canyon. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico opened in 1997 dedicated to the internationally-known artist for whom the museum is named. Georgia O'Keeffe lived in Abiquiu as well as Ghost Ranch. The 21,000 acres of Ghost Ranch, formally called Piedra Lumbre (shining rock), was part of a land grant to Pedro Martin Serrano for the King of Spain in 1766. Now owned by the Presbyterian Church, visitors can enjoy a number of activities, including a guided tour centered around Georgia O'Keeffe and the Ghost Ranch Landscape. Finally, visitors may enjoy the Chaco Canyon which contains the largest stone ruins in the US, including Pueblo Bonito, Chettro Ketl, and Casa Rinconada.

The beautiful rugged terrain of Abiquiu Lake offers a fun and exciting retreat from civilization. Whether you prefer adrenaline-pumping activities such as waterskiing or just want to take in the sights, there is something for everyone at Abiquiu Lake.

Abiquiu Lake  Visiting Hours:

The Army Corps of Engineers managed Abiquiú offers panoramic views, RV & tent sites, boat ramps, playground & picnic areas. Great hiking, biking, water sports & fishing. Visitors Center. The Boat Ramp is open year round & a portion of the campground is open year round.

Abiquiu Lake  Contact: 505•685•4371

Abiquiu Lake  Directions:

Abiquiú Lake is 7.75 miles north of the Abiquiú Post Office on Hwy 84, off Highway 96.

In NM Rio Arriba, US Highway 84, 18 miles NW of Española and 7 miles NW of Abiquiú via US Highway 84 at NM 96.

Abiquiu Lake  Background

Abiquiú Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer managed lake, with recreation areas and a campground. Federal Recreation Passports are accepted. This 5,200-surface-acre reservoir offers some of the finest fishing in northern New Mexico. Reptile fossils 200 million years old have been found in the area. The area includes a fine panoramic view of the Cerro Pedernal (Flint Mountain) from the dam. The scenery of the area includes Pinon (Pine), Juniper and Sage among colorful rock formations.

Surrounding attractions include: Ghost Ranch, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, San Pedro Wilderness, Cumbres Toltec Railroad, Chaco Canyon, Bandelier Nat'l Mon., Taos and Santa Fe, NM.