umner Lake State park is on the grassy plains just northwest of Fort Sumner. Sumner Lake is located where the Pecos River and Alamogordo Creek come together. The dam at this intersection divides the lake into two large sections - the Alamogordo Arm and the Pecos River Arm. It was established in 1966 as Alamogordo Reservoir; the name was changed in 1974 to Sumner Lake which was named after nearby Fort Sumner, to avoid confusion with the growing town of Alamogordo. Construction was done in the 1930s by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with the help of workers of the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps; some remnants of their artistic rockwork are the five rock bridges on the main road on the east side of the lake. The dam can be viewed from various vantage points at the lake.

Piсon, juniper, mesquite, grasses, and yucca cover the hillslopes and mesas surrounding the lake, and various wild flowers and cacti, including cholla and prickly pear, are common. Cottonwood trees grow along Alamogordo Creek and the Pecos River. Falcons, mountain bluebirds, ducks, and geese are plentiful. A few bald eagles inhabit the area as well. Antelope and deer roam the countryside. The State Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with walleye and northern pike, large-mouth bass, catfish, crappie, green sunfish, and bluegills. Trout are found in the river below the dam. Unlike most of New Mexico’s lake parks, the lake offers access to the live river below the dam. The Pecos River flows from the base of Sumner Dam for approximately 250 yards within the park boundary before entering private ranch land.

Sumner Lake State park staff provides weekly summer interpretive programs for visitors and outreach programs to local schools and social groups during fall and spring. Staff also offers several special events at the park throughout each year.

Sumner Lake State park offers a visitor center with exhibits, 50 developed campsites, 16 Electric, and 16 with water and electric, primitive campsites, allows horseback riding, showers, group shelters, electric hook-ups, restrooms, dump stations, boating/boat ramps, fishing, playground, trails, and R.V. pull through sites.

Park Elevation is 4,310 ft.
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.

32 Lakeview Lane
Sumner Lake, NM 88119
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.