Lake Sumner State Park: New Mexico’s Hidden Gem

Secluded on a fork of the Pecos River is Lake Sumner State Park in New Mexico. It’s a quiet oasis for outdoor hobbies like boating, hiking and birdwatching. Just 20 minutes northwest of Fort Sumner, the lake is a treasure near the border with Texas.

This peaceful getaway is central to Albuquerque, Roswell and Lubbock, all of which are within 150 miles. The park is home to the lake, a massive dam and places to access the river. There’s a boat ramp and tons of places you can get in the water on foot. You can stop by for an easy day of fun or reserve a campsite for an overnight stay.

Sumner Lake Park Map (PDF) from nm.gov

I was surprised by how bright blue the lake’s water is. The rocky shore is lined with sharp cliffs of massive sandstones. Around the lake are all kinds of local wildlife and plants. I loved seeing the little cacti with blooming flowers.

Does this sound like a place you want to see? Keep reading for details on visiting Lake Sumner State Park.

CONTENTS:

1. Things to Do at Lake Sumner
2. Sumner Dam: Background and History
3. How to get there
4. When to Visit
5. Safety Precautions

Things to Do at Sumner Lake

Outdoor activities include boating, camping, fishing, hiking trails, mountain biking, swimming and water-sports. The lake is stocked with fish like bass, catfish, crappie, walleye and northern pike. If you’re lucky, you might spot rare wildlife like antelope, falcons or even a bald eagle.

Camping is a great option and there are 50 developed campsites in the park with a variety of electric and water configurations available. There’s an RV dump station for people traveling in a camper. If you really want to rough it, shoreline camping is available as well.

See this map of campgrounds in Lake Summer State Park.

The Visitors Center is where you’ll find the pay station and a set of restrooms. You can pop inside for more information about the park. A helpful park ranger helped us out by giving us the lay of the land as well as a map. She told us that on one side of the park was the sprawling lake area. On the other side was the river and dam section.

Starting with the lake, my friends and I took off in a direction that looked more isolated. We couldn’t have made a better choice. A curved path led to a serene and secluded cove off the beaten path.

Granted the lake wasn’t crowded at all and it doesn’t seem to get busy very often. New Mexico is one of America’s least populous states, especially outside the Albuquerque area.

Sumner Dam: Background and History

Lake Sumner is a byproduct of Sumner Dam which you can actually walk to inside the park. In the 1930s, the dam was built for added support against flooding from the Pecos River. It serves the same function for the community to this day.

Try to see the dam if you can. It’s a short hike south from the Visitor Center along the shore of the lake. It’s a 164 feet tall structure with water blasting through a hole in the middle. I certainly hadn’t seen anything like this up close before.

Overflow from the dam is what created the lake all those years ago. Thinking about it, the dam symbolizes the nature of humans. We find ways to solve problems while creating something beautiful in the process. The dam protects the people from flooding while creating a natural landscape everyone can enjoy.

Even though Sumner isn’t a natural lake, it’s still full of things to explore. On the way to the dam, you’ll pass an alluring sign that says “Hazardous Area”. And because you can’t resist a little danger, you can follow the path onto brick ledge.

There, you can stand in the middle of the water on a ledge that’s only a few feet wide.

I couldn’t tell if the water was deep but I moved as slowly and safely as possible. I got some cool photos so I 100% recommend going out onto the ledge if you can do so safely.

How to get to Lake Sumner State Park

The park is accessible from US 84 Highway whether you’re coming from northwest or southeast. Just exit onto state highway NM-203 and ride it about 8 miles down to West Campground Lane.

You’ll start to see the water about half way down NM-203. Keep following the route and you’ll see the sign marking the entrance. From there, you should come upon the Visitors Center and now you’ve made it!

When to Visit Sumner Lake

Traffic peaks in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable. Summer isn’t out of the question if you have a tent, camper or other covered area.

Just make sure you’re very careful if you visit in summer. We are talking about a lake in the desert, so it gets extra hot in the afternoon. Seriously, the sky is wide open in New Mexico, so it can be really dangerous to go unprotected.

Safety Precautions

Keep these safety precautions in mind for your visit to Sumner:

• Water Safety – Life vests are a must for any visitor to Lake Sumner. If you plan to swim, check conditions on the state’s website.
• Sun & Heat – Make sure to drink water, wear sunscreen and take breaks from the sun.
• Dangerous Animals/Insects – Watch out for rattlesnakes and other dangerous animals and insects.

Conclusion

Though New Mexico has dozens of famous parks like White Sands and Taos, lesser known destinations can be just as beautiful to see. Lake Sumner offers plenty of things to do and doesn’t get nearly as crowded.

Lake Sumner is an excellent stop if you’re driving from Texas to Albuquerque or Santa Fe. If you’re heading that direction, check out these four things you must do in Santa Fe.