Bluewater Lake sits in the high desert of western New Mexico, about 20 minutes south of I-40, making it a practical overnight stop for westbound travelers and a reasonable destination for weekend campers based in the region. The park sits above the lake's shoreline, with most sites on elevated terrain that gives at least a partial sightline toward the water. Wild horses roam the area. Austin C. notes that "wild horses roaming around the lake were also pretty cool," and multiple visitors have reported the same, including a herd spotted grazing beside a camper after dark.
Site quality is one of the more discussed topics in reviews. A significant share of sites are uneven, and campers with rigs that can't self-level should check conditions before committing to a spot. Pull-through sites on the hillside tend to offer better lake views and more level ground. Dispersed camping along the lake is also available, where RVs and trailers spread out with more spacing between groups. Sites closer to the bathrooms and playground trade lake views for hookup access, with electric and water available in that area. Jennifer W. observed that "most sites have at least a glimpse of the lake," which holds for the majority of designated spots on the hillside.
Fishing and boating are the main draws on the water, with a launch ramp near the campground. A trail at the north end of the campground leads to a dam overlook, a 10 to 15 minute walk on a narrow but level path. Amenities include vault toilets distributed throughout, one flush toilet building, a shower house, and a dump station. Verizon and Starlink have both been reported to work well here. An EV charging station is also on site.
The campground runs from April through October. Water levels in the lake can drop noticeably by late fall, and some facilities including the shower house may be closed at the shoulders of the season. Midweek visits in spring tend to find the campground largely empty. Memorial Day and summer weekends draw larger crowds, though dispersed camping absorbs some of that pressure. Reservations are available for roughly half the sites, with the remainder first-come, first-served. Monsoon season in July and August can bring significant rain, so campers should come prepared.
Those wanting to compare nearby options can browse campgrounds around Bluewater Lake State Park, including Bluewater Lake State Park Campground on the lakeside and the Bluewater Lake State Park Campground in the Canyonside Rimrock area, which offer different site configurations within the same park.
Description
Bluewater Lake SP has changed their operating hours to as follows:
Site Entrance gate hours for Bluewater Lake during the summer, April 1st to Oct 31st are 6 am -9 pm. Entrance gate hours for the winter, Nov 1st to March 31st are 7 am to 5pm. Any arrivals after the scheduled hourly closure will not be able to get to sites until the next morning. If you are unable to arrive to the campground within the time frame provided please park outside the gate entrance in the provided parking area until the following morning.
ATTENTION: For the two group shelters, the check in/out time is: 9:00 am / 8:00 am.
GALLUP 30 MILES EAST
New Mexico is beginning our Outdoor Recreation Plan and needs your input! The plan will:
- Address the state and nation's outdoor recreation trends and their economic impacts
- Inventory the state's resources and address how best to protect them
- Help determine the state's priorities for awarding federal funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Warning 6 Alerts are In Effect
There are 6 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 6 Alerts are In Effect
There are 6 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
THE CUSTOMER MUST CONTACT THE PARK TO ADVISE THEM OF LATE ARRIVAL THE SITE WILL BE RELEASED FOR RESERVATIONS / FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER 4:00 P.M.. NO REFUND WILL BE DUE.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.
To ensure compliance with ADA regulations, vehicles parked at handicap campsites must visibly display a valid handicapped placard or possess a license plate indicating handicapped status; otherwise, relocation will be required.
The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations (NMSA 66-3-1011, 16-2-33 19 NMAC Ch 5 Sec 2.16 A).
Make it your goal to extinguish hot coals. If your campfire is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Drown it with water, stir it with a shovel, and repeat until your campfire is out cold! Learn more from Smokey Bear.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBluewater Lake State Park Campground is located in New Mexico near Prewitt
Directions
EXIT INTERSTATE 40 AT EXIT 63 (PREWITT) ONTO HWY 412. GO SOUTH 7 MILES ON HWY 412 ENDS AT THE PARK ENTRANCE.
Address
HC 73 BOX 3419
Prewitt, NM 87045
Coordinates
35.30229489 N
108.107287 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/15/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 39 usersLast on 7/15/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/20/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/15/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 39 usersLast on 7/15/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 29 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 2 hrs 4 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 18 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 3 hrs 16 min from Flagstaff, AZ
























































