Established Camping
North Shore Campground at Santa Cruz Lake - CLOSED
About
Bureau of Land Management
Note: The North Shore Campground at the lake near the boat ramp is currently CLOSED until further notice due to a halt in construction.
Thirty miles north of Santa Fe, NM , the snow-fed waters of the Rio del Medio and the Rio Frijoles begin a 2,000-mile journey and a 7,000-foot descent to the Gulf of Mexico. For a time they gather at Santa Cruz Lake at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Chimayo, behind the 125-foot Santa Cruz Dam.
Built in 1929 by the Santa Cruz Irrigation District, the dam is 535 feet across and 90 feet deep at the overflowing spillway. The lake covers 121 surface acres with water in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, providing recreational opportunities for anglers, picnickers, campers, and boat lovers alike. The scenic lake at base of Sangre de Cristo mountains offers boating, fishing, hiking and camping.
Access
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
TravelerGreat Spot, But Confused About Where to Camp
Sign states that camping is $9, sign at entrance to official campground states that campground is closed- it appears to be under construction, but if you follow the road straight from the pay box instead of turning left to the campground there are a few pull offs with little tent signs on them and numerous covered picnic tables with fire rings. I think you were supposed to park in the spots and then walk to a picnic area- but there is no flat, clear ground to set up a tent on. In April we had the park mostly to ourselves other than a few people fishing during the day, so we opted to take the picnic table right next to the parking spaces and were able to camp in our converted school bus with no complaints.
The area is beautiful with our spot up on a hill overlooking the lake. There were a decent number of people fishing both on shore and in boats, but overall it was quiet this time of year.
No cell service in the area with AT&T
Location
North Shore Campground at Santa Cruz Lake - CLOSED is located in New Mexico
Directions
About 30 miles northeast of Santa Fe. From Santa Fe: take US 84/285 N to NM 503 in Pojoaque. Turn right onto NM 503 and continue on this scenic 'High Road' towards Chimayo. Pass CR 98 which turns left to Chimayo and continue on NM 503; first you will see the Overlook Campground turnoff on the left, then continue towards and past Cundiyo to Santa Cruz Lake Rd (CR 98A) which is approximately 5.5 miles past the Overlook Campground turnoff. Note: There is no Recreation Area entrance sign at Santa Cruz Lake Rd off NM 503 from the South. From the North: Take NM 503 South from NM 76 (east of Espanola) to Santa Cruz Lake Rd; turn right.
Coordinates
35.9805 N
105.91442 W