U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District Lake Statuses - March 2024.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District is taking proactive measures at our lake offices across the region amid health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public safety is our top priority and we are being proactive to reduce risk to guests, volunteers, and lake personnel.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience in helping us prioritize public safety during this time.

See the current operating statuses for USACE-Albuquerque District lakes below. Please note that state and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing, the use of face masks, and group-size limitations) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.

This page will be updated with any further changes to operating statuses as they occur.

Click on a tab for a summary of the recreation status at that lake.

The day-use recreation areas are open year round. This includes the Cerrito Day Use Area; the Overlook Day Use Area, including picnic areas; and the downstream Rio Chama Day Use Area.

**Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Abiquiu Lake will begin charging a $5 fee for general day use. Click here for more information.**

The boat ramp is open year round and the boat launch fee still applies.

Fire Restrictions: Fires must be contained in designated fire rings or grills.  

The group shelters are open. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov  

Camping: The Riana Campground is closed for the season (The recreation season is from April 15 to October 15 annually). It will reopen April 15, 2024.

The main office/visitor center is open for phone calls and is open to the public. 

Abiquiu Lake is a no-alcohol facility.

State and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing, the use of face masks, and group-size limitations) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.

Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at (505) 685-4371 with additional questions.

The lake is open for day-use recreation including fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, boating, and swimming.  

Cochiti Lake remains a no-wake lake.

Visitor Center: Hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday.

Cochiti Recreation Area (Westside of lake):

Cochiti Boat ramp: A $5.00 boat launch fee is required for all motorized and trailered vessels using the boat ramp to launch. The fee can be paid onsite or online (www.recreation.gov). There is also a new fee machine on the Cochiti side which accepts payment. Please properly display the day-use slip or ticket on your vehicle. 

Cochiti Swim Beach: Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. There is a $5.00 Swim Beach fee per vehicle. Charcoal is NOT allowed in the designated swim beach area.

​Cochiti Campground: The campground will close for the season on Dec. 1, 2023. Please note that all camping at Cochiti Lake, including the group camping site, is by reservation only. First-come, first-served sites are no longer available. Our aim is to provide a more user-friendly recreation experience and we hope this change aides you in your planning efforts. To make reservations please visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 to speak to a reservation specialist.

Tetilla Peak Recreation Area (Eastside of lake):

Santa Cruz Day Use Area: Scheduled to open on April 15, 2024. 

Santa Cruz Road: Scheduled to open on April 15, 2024.

Tetilla Peak Campground: Closed for the 2024 recreation season. 

Tetilla Peak Boat Ramp: Scheduled to open on April 15, 2024.

Other information:

  • ​Stage II fire restrictions are in effect. This means building, maintaining, attending to or using a fire, campfire, or stove is prohibited. This includes the use of charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • America the Beautiful passes are honored for day-use fees.
  • Fee machines are active and day-use passes may be purchased onsite.
  • Charcoal is NOT allowed in the designated swim beach area.​
  • Visitors are strongly encouraged to bring their own personal floatation devices and lifejackets as the Loaner Life Jacket program is not in operation at this time.

The USACE-Albuquerque District reminds the public that Cochiti Lake is a no-alcohol facility.

State and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing, the use of face masks, and group-size limitations) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.

Contact the Cochiti Lake Main Office at (505) 465-0307 with additional questions.

**The USACE Southside Recreation Area has gone cashless. Please pay all recreation fees at the fee machine located in front of the Ranger Station. Thank you!!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed recreation areas at Conchas Lake are open. This includes the Captain Kramer Day-Use Area and the Southside Recreation Area which contains the Southside Campground, Juniper Day-Use Area and Boat Ramp.

The Visitor Center, located inside the Administrative Building, is open for calls and walk-ins. The Southside Ranger Station is also open for calls and walk-ins. 

Camping: The USACE-managed Southside Campground is still open on a first-come, first-served basis, however the water lines have been winterized and there is no water available at the campsites. The Southside Recreation Area Campground contains 20 primitive camp sites with water only, picnic shelter, grills, and fire pits. These sites are first come, first served only, and cannot be reserved.

State and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing, the use of face masks, and group-size limitations) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.

Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Administrative Office (575-868-2221) or the Southside Ranger Station (575-868-2435) with additional questions.

For updates on recreation areas managed by N.M. State Parks, please call the Conchas Lake State Park office (575-868-2270) or visit their website at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/conchas-lake-state-park

The USACE-managed day-use recreation areas at Santa Rosa Lake, including the Overlook Day Use area, hiking trails, picnic areas, and the equestrian trail are open. 

The main office and visitor center are open for phone calls and public walk-ins.

It's recommended the public check the N.M. State Parks website for the status of their recreation areas at Santa Rosa Lake. The boat ramp is open. The Rocky Point campground electric sites (operated by N.M. State Parks) is open, however the Juniper Park campground (also operated by N.M. State Parks) is closed.

State and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing, the use of face masks, and group-size limitations) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.

Contact the Santa Rosa Project Office at (575) 472-3115 with additional questions.

The USACE-managed day use recreation areas are currently open and include the Disc Golf Course, John Martin Dam, and the Hicklin Springs Petroglyphs.

The main office is open 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday and can be reached by phone at 719-336-3476 and by email at JohnMartin@usace.army.mil, for information, to book tours, educational programing, and to reserve the shelter.

The State Park is open. The information below is for the Colo. Parks & Wildlife-managed recreation areas: Please note that some of the information below is from CPW and is subject to change without notice here. More info on CPW-managed recreation areas can be found on their website or by calling 719-829-1801.

The former CPW State Wildlife Area is still open to hiking, fishing, hunting, and day use activities. Currently there are closures along the South Shore for threatened and endangered species habitat protection, as well as certain shore access areas for waterfowl resting.

As of Sept. 1, 2023, operational management of the state wildlife area reverted back to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All state hunting and fishing regulations still apply and will be enforced by CPW wildlife officers. All other day use activities will fall under USACE Title 36 management. 

Click here to see a map showing the State Park boundary and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fee Boundary.

Dispersed camping in the former state wildlife area is no longer permitted. Camping is still available at the State Park and surrounding private campgrounds.

Both boat ramps are closed. NOTE: The boat ramps are closed annually from Nov. 1 until March 15 the following year for waterfowl resting.

State Park Fees:

Daily Passes

Daily Vehicle Pass - $10 per vehicle 

Annual Passes

For more information on passes, including multiple vehicle passes, large quantity discounts, and specialty passes such as disability, military, etc., see the CPW Parks Pass Information page.

Camping:

Summer (May 1-Oct. 31):

Point Campground Basic Campsite:

  • Sun-Thurs. $18/night
  • Friday-Sat. $20/night

Lake Hasty Electric Hook-up Campsite:

  • Sun-Thurs. $27/night
  • Fri-Sat. $29/night

Winter (Nov. 1 to April 30):

  • Point Campground Basic Campsite: $18/night
  • Lake Hasty Electric Hook-up Campsite: $25/night

Group Camping:

Caddoa Shelter Group Campsite: Call for rates: 719-829-1801 ext. 3 to reserve.

Facilities:

Group picnic areas: Call 719-829-1801 for rates.

Visitor Center conference room: Call for rates. Please call 719-829-1801 to reserve.

 

The USACE project office/visitor center is open to the public and phone calls will be answered Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

For information on Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW)-managed recreation areas, including camping, click here or phone 719-846-6951.

Long's Canyon: Due to flood damage, the road is closed to vehicle traffic past the self-serve station. Hiking trails and lake access for fishing is open to foot traffic.

Contact the USACE Trinidad Lake Main Office at (719) 846-7990 with additional questions.