About Ute Lake State Park
Ute Lake State Park is in a rocky canyon in the Canadian River Valley and along Ute Creek. This reservoir is one of the longest lakes in the state at nearly 13 miles. Ute Lake is named after Ute Creek. Ute Dam was completed in 1963 by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission to store water from the Canadian River for use in New Mexico. In 1983–84, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation increased the capacity of Ute Lake by raising the dam and building the largest Labyrinth Weir Spillway in the United States, on the north side of the dam. It was the first dam in the United States to use soil-cement protection on the slopes of the dam instead of riprap. The park was established in 1964. One of New Mexico's beautiful state parks, the reservoir offers the best walleye fishing in New Mexico, and provides good fishing for both white and largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie. Ute Lake State Park offers a full marina and many water-oriented activities, but a lot of folks just come to sit back and angle for the trophy fish: fish caught here hold several New Mexico state records. Ute Lake offers a visitor center, camping, allows horseback riding, showers, group shelters, electric hookups, restrooms, dump stations, boating/boat ramps, marina, fishing, playground, trails and R.V. pull through sites. The entry gate is open 24 hours a day, every day. Park Elevation 3,762 ft Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.
