Navajo Lake Camping

Pine Main campground is one of several campgrounds in Navajo Lake State Park. It overlooks Navajo Lake, the second largest lake in New Mexico. It is open year-round.

At the time of this writing, March 2023, all of the sites are reservable. Most sites have electric and water hookups. There are several sites with sewer and several sites that are dry camping only. Pine Main is popular and fills most weekends during the summer. All of the sites save two are back-in. Some sites in the B and C loops are small and only accommodate rigs up the 25'. Most sites, though, can accommodate big class A rigs. Many sites offer views of the lake, especially those in the D loop. The bathrooms offer sinks, showers and flush toilets. There is a dump station, which can get crowded some mornings. Camping fees for those without annual passes are $10 for dry sites, $14 for electric/water sites and $18 for the full hook-up sites. Annual camping passes reduce those fees by $10 and are available for New Mexico residents and non-residents.

Navajo Lake offers boating, water skiing, jet boating and fishing. Fish species present are bass, pike, trout, panfish and salmon.

The primary attraction for us, though, is the San Juan River below Navajo Dam. The first 4 miles downstream from the dam are quality waters with only artificial lures and flies with single barbless hook allowed. Downstream of the Crusher Hole Day Use Area, regular regulations apply. This fishery is famous and attracts anglers from all over the world. The water exits the dam at 42 degrees and that is an ideal temperature for trout. The average fish size is 18", with some fish pushing 30". The primary food source is midges, and hooks smaller than size 20 predominate, although larger sizes for streamers, terrestrials and spinning lures can be successful as well. Guiding services are available and are recommended for those visiting the Juan for the first time.