Heron Lake State Park
3 notices: Restriction: Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, ch… · Restriction: Fireworks are prohibited in Heron Lake State Park. · Announcement: Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, ch… — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 192 campsites
- Official site
- emnrd.nm.gov(575) 588-7470
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 8
Partial closure Closure: All boat ramps (and courtesy docks) at Heron Lake State Park are currently unavailable for…All boat ramps (and courtesy docks) at Heron Lake State Park are currently unavailable for boaters due to extremely low lake levels. These ramps and… (more)
All boat ramps (and courtesy docks) at Heron Lake State Park are currently unavailable for boaters due to extremely low lake levels. These ramps and docks will remain unavailable until lake levels improve. Those visitors planning to launch watercraft should call the park office to check for conditions prior to arriving. (575)588-7470
Posted by the park. Official alert
Construction Closure: Rio Chama Trailhead and access to the Rio Chama Trail is closed due to construction in the…Rio Chama Trailhead and access to the Rio Chama Trail is closed due to construction in the area. Access to the Rio Chama River can be gained at the… (more)
Rio Chama Trailhead and access to the Rio Chama Trail is closed due to construction in the area. Access to the Rio Chama River can be gained at the North El Vado Day Use Area.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Partial closure Closure: Heron Lake is closed to the use of operation of all Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's). This inc…Heron Lake is closed to the use of operation of all Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's). This includes but is not limited to Off Highway Motorcycles,… (more)
Heron Lake is closed to the use of operation of all Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's). This includes but is not limited to Off Highway Motorcycles, Side-By Sides, Quad Runners, and Snowmobiles.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Fire restriction Restriction: Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, ch…Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of… (more)
Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Fire restriction Restriction: Fireworks are prohibited in Heron Lake State Park.Fireworks are prohibited in Heron Lake State Park.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Fire restriction Announcement: Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, ch…Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of… (more)
Stage II Fire Restrictions: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Announcement: We want everyone to go home safe. Wear life jackets when in or around water for your safet…We want everyone to go home safe. Wear life jackets when in or around water for your safety.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Announcement: Heron Lake State Park is open for Day Use (6a-9p).Heron Lake State Park is open for Day Use (6a-9p).
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Rio Arriba County, about 45 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs, Heron Lake State Park covers about 5,233 acres.
The park supports cross-country skiing, mountain biking, ice fishing, winter sports, and canoeing and kayaking. Overnight options include 192 campsites across 2 camping areas, with RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, and showers.
Pets
Pets are allowed at most state parks and must be on a leash at all times. Only service dogs are allowed at Rio Grande Nature Center and Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Parks.
Statewide rule from New Mexico's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, statewide flat rates with resident/non-resident pricing (since Jan 1, 2025): NM resident day-use $5 (residents exempt Oct 1 – Apr 30), non-resident $10; walk-in/bicycle no charge. Camping per night: primitive $10 resident / $15 non-resident; developed $15 / $20; utility fees water $5, electric $10, sewer $5. Federal passes not accepted.
Statewide fee rule from New Mexico's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
New Mexico park passes
- Annual Day-Use Pass/Permit (ADU) — New Mexico resident — $75. Day-use entry, calendar year (expires Dec 31) Details
- Annual Day-Use Pass/Permit (ADU) — non-resident — $150. Day-use entry, calendar year Details
- Annual Camping Permit (ACP) — New Mexico resident — $300. Camping (resident only; proof of NM ID and plate) Details
- Lifetime Veterans pass (NM veteran with 50%+ disability) — No charge Details
From the New Mexico state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-664-7787
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground Facilities 8 developed campgrounds; 192 Developed Campsites; 54 Water & Electric Sites; RV Dump Station; Potable Water; Group Campsites | 192 | 54 Water & Electric Sites; Potable Water | — |
| Primitive Camping 3 Primitive Camping Areas; Shoreline Camping; Boat-in Camping | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Campground Facilities: 8 developed campgrounds; 192 Developed Campsites; 54 Water & Electric Sites; RV Dump Station; Potable Water; Group Campsites
Primitive Camping: 3 Primitive Camping Areas; Shoreline Camping; Boat-in Camping
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCanoeing and kayakingCampingFishingPicnickingSwimmingHikingBikingMountain bikingWildlife viewing and birdingWinter sportsCross-country skiingIce fishing
Trails
Trails: 2.5 Mile East Meadow Trail; 5 Mile Salmon Run Trail; 5 Mile Rio Chama Trail; Mountain Biking; Wildlife Viewing; Birding
Boating and paddling
Boating: Motorized (No Wake); Non-motorized; Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard; Sailing; Camping; Education Programs; Fishing; Rio Chama Quality Waters; Heron Lake; Picnicking; Swimming
Boating Facilities: Boat Dock; Boat Ramp (CLOSED); Marina
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Group facilities
Water
- Marina or boat slips
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 640 State Road 95
Los Ojos, NM 87551 - Nearest town
- Pagosa Springs — about 45 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.6656, -106.6910
- Phone
- (575) 588-7470
- mark.schichtle@emnrd.nm.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- New Mexico State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated May 26, 2026
- WordPress REST API: child pages of the official 'Find a Park' page (35 pages), plus coordinates from that page's map pins
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology