places to go with water (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: camping, live in, restaurants)

[BlueRose]

Hi Everyone- BlueRose here. I moved from the North Bay area of Cali and its been about a year and a half now. Things in my new life have gone remarkably well. This state has been good to me: I met someone and fell in love (going on a year now), have a job I really like and a beautiful German Shepherd found her way into my home. I never would have been able to afford a place in Cali to have a dog. I am glad I made the move, though it was hard the first 6-8 months.

I live in Los Lunas and would like to know where are some nice places to go where there is some water, I am missing the water. Where are the rivers, lakes etc, that are not too far from here to go for the day? and a overnight?

What is Pecos like? I would like to walk my dog near water....

Ideas??? Thanks!!!

[6 FOOT 3]

I hear your frustration BlueRose.....as i feel the same as most of the lakes are in the non populated areas of the state. I asume water recreation types and not just fishing lakes? Your at Los Lunas so you can take NM 6 and take it ti I-40 and go to Bluewater lake just past Grants which has camping, water sking and jetsking etc ...or You can head south on I-25 to Elephant Butte Reservoir and Caballo reservoir 2 hours south and be at the largest and 3rd largest lakes in NM.

The Pecos is a nice river but most of it's recreation is down by Artesia and Carlsbad at Brantley reservoir and on the river itself. There's Conchas, Ute and Santa Rosa reservoirs but they are out on I-40 by Santa Rosa so that's a good ways away.

The upper Rio Grande has some good one's like El Vado, Heron and Abiquiu but these are north of Santa Fe and also Navajo reservoir next to Farmington.

That's my thoughts and i'm sure others can answer.
6/3

[Devin Bent]

When I get water deprived I go to Nambe Lake and Falls. Admittedly it is not too close to you. But some of the lakes in NM are formed by damming rivers that irrigate quite few a few fertilized fields before they get to you -- while Nambe Lake has crystal clear water down from New Mexico's highest mountains -- the Sangre de Christos.

The lake can be approached by hiking trails from various locations including Santa Fe or you can drive up there from 503 paying the Nambe Pueblo a nominal fee.

The Falls are approached from below. I wish I had a photo. At the end you wade though the crystal clear stream with high rock walls on both sides. If you are brave you can climb up two mini falls to get to the pool below the longest fall. I have only done one and I heard somebody say "That old man is going to kill himself."

Admittedly, the water is cold. It is not for sissies.

It does get people -- but it is not part of any state or federal system -- so it is surprisingly uncrowded except for July 4th when the Pueblo has a festival.

For a photo, go here Nambe Falls pictures from waterfalls photos on webshots

[mortimer]

BlueRose wishes;]

> I live in Los Lunas... where are some nice places to go where there is some water, ...
> I would like to walk my dog near water....

Are there trails near the river in Los Lunas?

In Albuquerque, there are beaucoup trails along the Rio Grande in the bosque where you can not only be near water, but your pooch can romp in the canals and get all muddy and nasty.

[Pintada Kid]

Santa Rosa soon to become the Biggest tourist attaction in the State has lakes everywhere plus the Pecos river. It has Lakes for Boating close by to the North and to the South and to the East plus all the Lakes around town and the Blue Hole and the ParK Lake the Biggest Swimming pool in the World check out the lake where they dropped a plane into the water so the Scuba Divers can Train its by the Rodeo Arena and the National Guard armory or you can head a few miles south from there and vist PDL Puerto De Luna and go to the River there thats under the Bridge, They have a two beautiful churches there and its a place where Coronado Named it Port of the Moon and the Bar Billy The Kid use to Frequent is still there. Lots of People for Santa Rosa Days and County fair and Bike Rally and Car show and Sports. I actually think Santa Rosa is the Most Beautiful Little Town in New Mexico and they have Great Mexican Food in the Restaurants check out Johnnys Comet Drive Inn. el pintada kid