Santa Rosa Lake State Park, Recreational state park in Guadalupe County, New Mexico.
Santa Rosa Lake State Park is a recreation area of roughly 1,400 acres (565 hectares) in Guadalupe County at 5,560 feet (1,700 meters) elevation with a large reservoir surrounded by gentle hills and arid plains. The water is the center of the park, where visitors come to fish, boat, and camp.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Santa Rosa Dam in the 1970s to store water and prevent flooding in the surrounding region. The dam created the lake that is now the park's defining feature.
The park sits on lands historically used by Native American groups, and visitors can see archaeological remnants scattered across the terrain. Walking through the area gives a sense of how people adapted to this high desert environment over time.
The area is accessible via New Mexico Route 91 about 7 miles north of Santa Rosa city and has multiple boat ramps and camping areas. Visitors should be prepared for the dry conditions and bring plenty of water, especially if planning to hike.
The lake supports rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and catfish that thrive in the cooler water, creating a productive fishing destination in the middle of an arid landscape. This abundance of fish in such a dry region surprises many first-time visitors.
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