Sumner Lake State Park: Beachfront camping, boating and fishing near Santa Rosa, New Mexico

GO NEW MEXICO

Three-sided camping shelters beside a gravel road in a dry, open campground — Three-sided shelters line the loop that has electricity and water at Sumner Lake State Park.

Gravel road through dry grasslands and low hills under a clear blue sky at sunset. — Heading north on scenic gravel road through high desert plains near Sumner Lake State Park.

Wide view of a calm lake with muddy shoreline under a colorful evening sky. — Primitive camping is allowed on the shoreline at Sumner Lake State Park.

Low rocky hill with scattered shrubs under a clear blue sky beside a paved road. — Along the backroad to Sumner Lake State Park.

Oval information sign for Sumner Lake State Park with maps and illustrations on a wall. — An interpretive sign greets visitors with maps and activity tips at Sumner Lake State Park in eastern New Mexico.

Gravel trail bordered by low timbers running through dry grass and scrub under an overcast sky — A narrow gravel path cuts through scrub and junipers near Sumner Lake State Park, inviting hikers to explore the quiet desert terrain.

Exterior of Sumner Lake State Park visitor center beside trees and desert landscape. — The Sumner Lake State Park visitor center welcomes campers and day visitors exploring this Pecos River recreation area.

Picnic shelters and grills on a dry, rocky campsite with scattered trees under a gray sky. — Picnic shelters stand over a quiet campsite that overlooks Sumner Lake at the main campground on the west side.

With beachfront camping sites and easy reservations, Sumner Lake State Park offers uncrowded spring camping

Donn Friedman GO New Mexico

Published April 19, 2026 - 9:14 a.m.

Adventurers can boat, fish, camp, hike and swim at Sumner Lake State Park along the Pecos River.

Sumner Lake State Park is south of Santa Rosa and northwest of Fort Sumner, a little more than two hours from Albuquerque. Other parks on the Pecos nearby include Santa Rosa Lake and Villanueva.

The most often-traveled route takes you on N.M. 203 about 10 miles heading east from U.S. 84. For a wilder adventure, get off the pavement and take the scenic route through Santa Rosa and the Pecos River Valley with historic Puerto de Luna along the way. Be sure to watch for cattle living the life of open-range grazing as mesas and rocks give way to flat, dry grasslands.

For just $10, New Mexico residents can set up primitive campsites along the beach. The main westside campground is open, while other campgrounds open soon for spring and fall. You can check for open dates and make reservations at .

The main campground provides spots for glamping with electricity and three-sided hard structures for shelter from the wind and sun. Bathrooms near the visitor center have running water and flush toilets.

Sumner Lake State Park, featuring a 4,500-acre reservoir created by , was established in 1960 as and renamed in 1974, honoring the nearby Fort Sumner and its namesake, Col. Edmund Vose Sumner, according to.

During the first few days of April, the beach and main camping area had vacant spots.

Until May, New Mexico residents can visit the park, like most state parks here, during the day for free. Some sites are walk-up and most require reservations through .

The lakefront on the grassy plains is home to many birds and rattlesnakes, which signs warn are known to come out as the season heats up.