Conchas Lake State Park sits at approximately 4,200 feet elevation in eastern New Mexico's high desert, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between seasons and from day to night. The lake, formed by Conchas Dam on the Canadian River, offers 14,000 acres of water surface for recreation. During spring months (April-May), visitors should prepare for strong winds and occasional rainstorms that can significantly impact camping conditions.
What to do
Kayaking exploration: Paddle along the shorelines at Santa Rosa Lake State Park where water levels vary seasonally. "The area gets lots of wind and sun exposure. There are several large junipers that offer sun and wind shade," notes Emma M., who enjoyed exploring the park's rocky terrain.
Night fishing: Set up after sunset at Conchas Lake State Park for prime fishing opportunities. "We always rent a boat slip and go night fishing!" shares Jennifer A., who considers this her favorite lake in New Mexico.
Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars for deer watching, especially at Bell Point Campground. "Deer cover the campground. Each camp site has a covered wind break area for eating lunch," reports Natalie F., who visited with children and dogs.
Desert hiking: Follow trails through Santa Rosa Lake State Park to observe desert flora. "Gorgeous hiking trails that meander through rocky terrain filled with a diversity of desert plants. Several were in bloom when I was there in October," writes Emma M.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors appreciate the well-maintained restrooms at Rocky Point Campground. "HOT showers and clean bathrooms. 10 min walk down to lake. Beautiful area with lots of wildlife walking through the campground," according to Neil P.
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week stays at Conchas Lake offer more solitude. "The weekends usually have a lot of people that disappear during the week," mentions Levon, who found the clear waters great for bass and walleye fishing despite occasional weekend boat traffic.
Unique art installations: For a completely different glamping experience near Conchas Dam, ART City offers artistic camping environments. "If you're driving across 40, you've seen all the typical RV parks in the area: patches of dirt, some with hookups, maybe a pool so they can call it a resort. This is nothing like that," explains Christian.
Covered picnic areas: Almost all sites at Santa Rosa Lake State Park include shade structures. "All sites had picnic tables, some sites had electricity and water, and some sides just had water," reports Amy H., who found the camp hosts very friendly.
What you should know
Water availability fluctuates: Water systems may be shut down for repairs at Bell Point Campground. "Water was unavailable due to repairs, the dump station and showers were closed - making our stay shorter than expected. There were porta-potties available at the restrooms," warns Nikki P., who also noted "the only place around to get water is in the town of Tecumcari, at least a 30 min drive."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the area. "Cell signal only at the scenic overlook," reports Robert E. about Rocky Point Campground. Nikki P. noted "ATT signal is good and Starlink worked great" at Bell Point, while Marc found "minimal cell or WiFi" at Santa Rosa Lake.
Weather considerations: Spring brings challenging conditions. "April-May is a rainy and windy season. So be sure to check the weather before heading out," advises Alexzandra G. based on her experience at Conchas Lake.
Tent pad surface issues: Tent campers may struggle with staking at certain sites. "The tent pads we rock and gravel making it very difficult to stake a tent," notes Jesse H. about North Campground at Conchas Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly ranger programs: Children receive special attention at Conchas Lake State Park. "The rangers gave the kiddos a coloring book and badge when we got here," shares Natalie F., noting that kids and dogs enjoyed the experience despite the rocky hike to the beach.
Interactive art exploration: Families can engage with artistic structures at ART City. "There are exhibits that you can climb on, in which my entire family enjoyed," explains Brittany R., who recommends "checking out this unique place."
Playground access: Santa Rosa Lake State Park offers play areas for younger visitors. "There is a playground for kids and dumping station," notes Scott D., who stopped while traveling through New Mexico.
Stormy afternoon preparation: Pack indoor activities for summer afternoons. "It's hot during the summer with storms that roll in almost every afternoon from June and start slowing down in August. Don't have anything that catches the wind up when they come," warns Levon about Conchas Lake.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: RV sites at Rocky Point Campground require attention to positioning. "Not many level sites," mentions Robert E., who still found it a "great overnight stop for 1 or 2 nights" despite this challenge.
Site selection verification: Double-check site details when booking. "Keep in mind when booking," advises Peaches E. about Rocky Point, explaining that "most cites have full hook ups but some only have electricity."
Electric hookups for climate control: Summer visitors should prioritize electric sites. "Fortunately we had electric power for AC and were comfortable," shares David W. about his June stay at Conchas Lake, where high desert temperatures can become extreme.
Site dimensions: Carefully verify RV site measurements. Kevin K. explains that Rocky Point loop A "sites are all spaced very far apart for a campground," while Butch K. cautions about the handicap site: "the NMSP website has not clearly state that only a van or very short class C would fit in the spot."
