This alpine lake park is located on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway  and is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the high mountains of the Moreno Valley, including views of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico.

At 8,200 feet in elevation, Eagle Nest Lake State Park offers a cool retreat from the summer heat for fishermen, boaters, campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. An abundance of animals makes Eagle Nest Lake an ideal location for wildlife viewing. Known for fishing and it’s a serene setting, we welcome you to visit this glacial valley park.

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This park offers developed campsites with fire grills, picnic tables, and a shade structure for your comfort. The park is known for its opportunities in birding, hiking, biking, paddlin,g and fishing. Campsites are by reservation only, but we do offer first come-first serve sites in the off-season. Please be aware of winter closures. Check Parks Alerts for more information

Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground

This is one of the nicest state parks we have visited.  Eagles Nest is about 19 miles west of Taos near the Carson National Forest.  The campground is on the west side of a beautiful lake I the town of Eagles Nest.   This is one of the most beautiful places in Northern New Mexico and well worth the visit.  The campground caters to the RV and boating community.  They have first class facilities including two boat launches, group meeting venues, and a huge visitors center.  The facilities are well maintained and have been recently upgraded.  The sites are spacious but exposed with no tree cover or privacy.  The view more than makes up for these negatives.  The altitude of the site provides for a nice summer climate and a frozen winter park near top class downhill skiing.  You will need to make reservations well in advance to get a spot at this popular venue. They are typically full throughout the weak.  They have fresh water taps throughout the site, a dump station, and nice site toilets and showers.   

Beautiful Mountain Lake 

This park isn't really meant for camping in my opinion although you can.  I would find a nearby state park to camp in (Cimarron Canyon) and just visit the lake and town.  If you have a camper, this one would be ok.  The bathrooms are pretty nice and the scenery is awesome, but it doesn't really feel like camping.  Eagles Nest is awesome though, and you are a short drive to Angel Fire, Red River and Taos.  The fishing is great on the lake too, specially if you have a boat.  If not, you can rent one from the local shop and even take a guide if you want.  Trolling for trout is the best way to catch lots of fish in my opinion.  You can also snag for Salmon during the spawn.  Overall, great place to visit but I would find another camping spot nearby.

Camping is OK, find something nearby

April is a little early in the season, so there were lots of open spaces and was still a little cold...

Chilly in April 

We just needed somewhere to stay for the night as we went through the area and it’s only $10 to camp for the night. The lake is really pretty! The campground itself is very basic. There’s a few reservable sites and the rest are walk up (19 in total). There were only vault toilets but very well maintained which was nice. It would be great if you were planning on lots of lake activities and wanted to be close but for us it was just a great place to rest from driving all day.

Decent stop going through the area

Amost all the sites have a lake view, with little obstruction from other sites. There is plenty of room between sites, allowing for a level of privacy. There are no trees, but the views make that OK. If you want to fish, go to the marina on 64 ( leave the park and turn Left…on the left side about 1/4 mile down). You'll pay $17 for a day, but you can buy more days. Don't think you can get a way with no license, you can't! Even on weekdays, the officers checked. Still, great fishing and almost a guarantee that you will catch at least one trout.  

As for hiking there are great hikes within 45 minutes, toward Taos and Angel Fire. Stop by the Eagle Nest Visitor center off 64 for a map or two. We hiked the South Boundary Trail, off the El Nogal trailhead just outside of Taos, off 64 W. 

I recommend the Taos Mothership Brewery in El Prado (20 min drive from the trailhead) for a beer and nachos. If you have a dog with you, great patio area. 

We enjoyed the quiet of Eagle Nest Lake and the availability of a nice walking trail and great trout fishing. We will go back!

Quiet, clean and beautiful 

Mountains, lake, prairie dogs, deer...a little piece of heaven.  Here in the off season, had the campground to ourselves.   No power, no sewer, pit toilets.  Loved this place!  

Don't let the drive in fool you.

Eagles Nest Lake State park campsites are pretty wide open like the valley it is in. There is a nice cement pad with an awning and fire pit. Not much else and I wouldn't recommend it for tent campers. There were a few people braving the cool nights and crisp mornings. Water available when you drive in and that is about it. So plan on boondocking. Our site was level and drive through. The drive through sites are not huge so if you have a big rig you might want one of the back in sites. The sky was beautiful at night with the milky way visable. If it wasn't so cold I would of been taking photos. Access to the lake is a relatively short walk and may change if the lake wasn't so low.

Wide Open Spaces

Clean pit toilets available, beautiful view of snow capped mountains and lake. Prairie dogs, deer, and birds abound 

Beautiful mountain & lake views

Great spot that is quiet and has great view of lake and Mountains all around. Cool at night and just right during day. All the RV parks around here that have good reviews are way too close together. I am glad I didn’t go by the reviews as the trailers are almost touching. There is no water or electricity on site but water is available in the park. First time dry camping and it was great with no problems. Close to Red River and Angel Fire and Taos. 

Great Views and quiet

Perfectly located on a picturesque a beautiful lake with the Sangre de Cristo mountains as a backdrop. The drive into the park isn’t that impressive, but it just makes me more appreciative of the beauty of this place, which is set behind several RV/trailer parks. The campground is small with ample space between sites. Each site has a gravel pad, covered picnic table set on a concrete pad and with a view of the serene and pristine lake. There’s a pier and boat ramp, a day use area and an office/store. The campground gate closes at night, with an on site ranger. 

Awesome wildlife in the area. The deer would come by every evening and the prairie dogs were constantly entertaining. There’s a hiking trail worth checking out too.

This was the perfect place to spend the Fourth of July holiday. The parade in Eagle Nest was perfect small town America! Must see in the area is the Vietnam Veteran’s Museum, the Cumbres &amp; Toltec railroad and nearby Chama and Angel Fire.

This truly is the land of enchantment!

Ground are nice with prairie dogs and skies full of birds. There is a boat launch for aquatic activities. NO electric or showers. 

Excellent spot for nature, exercise and relaxing.

Reserved site 13 online while in the park. Beautiful view of mountains &amp; lake from the campsite. Campground has back-in &amp; short pull-thru sites. Site 13 is a pull-thru. Water &amp; vault toilet centrally located. Clean toilet. Campground in open area of sage. No privacy, but sites appear to be reasonably separated. No concerns with drinking water. Great AT&amp;T &amp; T-Mobile data service. Nice easy hiking trail. The field around campsites contain groundhogs, rabbits &amp; birds. 