Navajo Lake
Navajo Lake is a large high-altitude reservoir straddling the New Mexico-Colorado border, popular for year-round fishing, boating and shoreline camping.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Colorado Plateau |
| Subregion | High Desert Plateau |
| Country | United States |
| State | New MexicoUtah |
| County | San Juan County (NM)Archuleta County (CO) |
| City | Navajo Lake State Park |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 36.83 |
| Longitude | -107.35 |
| Maps |
7:14 PM LOCAL TIMENavajo Lake sprawls across the Colorado Plateau, filling a broad valley between San Juan and Archuleta counties. Created by damming the San Juan River, it forms one of the largest lakes in the region — roughly 150 square kilometers — with clear, cold water at elevations around 2,000 meters. The lake's perimeter offers shallow coves and steep shoreline bluffs, and its vast size makes it a key stop for multi-species fishing and resort-scale water sports. Around the shores you'll find a mix of campgrounds, day-use facilities and lodging options, with access points suited to boating, kayaking and shoreline hikes. Beyond the water, the region is characterized by semiarid mesas, pinyon-juniper woodland and native grasslands, with high-desert climate that can vary markedly across seasons. Nearer to the lake, you'll find points of interest like Navajo Lake State Park, and multiple boat ramps and trailheads link to regional route networks. Whether you're aiming for winter ice fishing, summer water skiing or scenic drives along the rim, the Navajo Lake area rewards careful planning and layered outdoor plans.
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