Sumner Lake State Park

Sumner Lake State Park offers a convenient boat launch facility located northwest of Fort Sumner on the Pecos River. The main campground features one primary ramp with three launching lanes, with an additional boat dock available. The park sits at 4,310 feet elevation on the grassy plains where the Pecos River and Alamogordo Creek meet to form Sumner Lake. This is a reservoir-based access point, so paddlers should expect lake conditions rather than river current.

The state park provides comprehensive amenities including 50 developed campsites (many with electric hookups), a visitor center, showers, restrooms, dump stations, and RV facilities. Parking is abundant throughout the park. Note that water levels fluctuate seasonally, ranging from approximately 4,262 to 4,250 feet elevation with storage capacity varying significantly. The park allows horseback riding, fishing, and features hiking trails and playgrounds.

**Important:** No river running is permitted below Sumner Dam. This is strictly a lake access point. Visitors should be prepared for variable road conditions in some park areas, particularly primitive camping zones which may require high-clearance vehicles. Reservations are recommended and can be made through the New Mexico State Parks reservation website (32 Lakeview Lane, Sumner Lake, NM 88119).