Navajo State Park•Colorado

00:00     Title
00:15     Navajo Lake New Mexico State Park  
07:10     Navajo Colorado State Park  
11:00     Fin  

Navajo Lake straddles the border of Colorado and New Mexico. This mile high Rocky Mountain Range lake is a man made reservoir that serves to prevent San Juan River flooding during the spring snow melt season. After a winter of severe drought, the shoreline can greatly recede and the shallows may be become unnavigable. On the opposite extreme, after a heavy winter snow, this lake will be full to the brim. For this reason, checking on the water level conditions is best to do before packing the bags. This is especially true on the Colorado side of this reservoir because the shoreline may or may not be found where it is expected to be when glancing at a map. Another thing to keep in mind is the reservoir water level is allowed to deplete to low levels during late summer to make room for incoming snow melt water in the next spring season. 

The Navajo Dam Reservoir Lake is managed as a state park by both Colorado and New Mexico. The deep water end of the lake is in New Mexico and the marina is located near the Navajo Dam. The shallow end of the pool is in the Colorado side of the line and there are far more beaches to be found. The Navajo Dam serves as a flood retention device for the San Juan River, which flows all the way west to Lake Powell, Utah, where it merges with the Colorado River. 

Upon arrival at the main body of deep water, it truly is a beautiful sight to see! Desert lakes are always fascinating and this high desert lake setting is as picturesque as can be. Towering rock outcrops and high mesa plateaus covered with sparse juniper and piñon forests surround the branching arms of Navajo Lake. Plenty of colorful sandstone bedrock enhances the imagery and adds a bright contrast to the deep blue water. The Navajo Lake setting certainly is like paradise in this mountainous high desert region.

Finding the way to points of interest around Navajo Lake is easy to do, because both State Road 151 (paved) and County Road 169 (dirt road) run along either side of the long Colorado Navajo State Park shoreline. The town of Arboles is located next to the lake and amenities can be found in this area. The Windsurfing Beach is located near Arboles and this is a popular spot during summer. It is easier to get to the main marina in New Mexico by boat from Arboles and the lengthy winding road will eventually get you there too.

There are many campsites in Navajo Colorado State Park, but as mentioned earlier, some of the campsites may or may lot be lakefront real estate, depending on water depletion. For this reason, it is best to check the Navajo State Park website ahead of time or look at a satellite image. This will prevent lost time scrambling for a better spot when arriving in the blind.

The deep end of Navajo Lake certainly is navigable and there is a lot of room to roam when boating. There are many hidden coves between the branching high mesas that definitely would be cozy for house boats. This big lake is a haven for small sail boats and wind surfing, especially during the breezy spring season. The Navajo Colorado State Park is where the lush green mountain meadows meet the high desert and it is a peaceful place to be!