Santa Cruz Lake is a scenic little trout lake in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Chimayo – a 121-acre reservoir northeast of Santa Fe, set in a red-rock canyon and managed as a BLM recreation area. Stocked with rainbow trout and ringed by camping and trails, it’s a quiet, close-to-the-capital fishing and hiking spot in some of northern New Mexico’s prettiest country. This guide is part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.
Santa Cruz Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~121 acres
- Depth: varies with the season (up to ~30 ft of fluctuation; the dam stands about 90 ft)
- Elevation: ~6,500 ft, in the Sangre de Cristo foothills of northern New Mexico
- Location: near Chimayo, about 30 miles northeast of Santa Fe
- Top fish: rainbow trout (stocked), brown trout
Fishing Santa Cruz Lake
Santa Cruz is managed primarily as a trout lake, periodically stocked with rainbow trout by New Mexico Game and Fish, with brown trout and other species caught occasionally. A New Mexico fishing license plus a Habitat Management/Improvement validation is required. The cool, clear canyon water fishes well from the bank, float tubes and small boats, and the scenic red-rock setting makes it a rewarding place to cast year-round.
Boating, camping and recreation
The Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, offers camping, hiking trails, picnicking and boat access in a dramatic canyon below the Sangre de Cristos. Boating and paddling are popular on the quiet water, and the trails offer views over the lake and the surrounding high desert. There’s no developed swim beach; this is a fishing-and-camping lake. The famous Santuario de Chimayo is just down the road.
Water level
Santa Cruz Lake’s level can fluctuate substantially (up to about 30 feet) with irrigation use and the season, so check current conditions before a boating trip.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Santa Cruz Lake is near Chimayo, about 30 miles northeast of Santa Fe, off NM-503/County Road 88 in northern New Mexico. Chimayo, Española and the High Road to Taos are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a New Mexico license plus a Habitat Management validation is required.
- Fluctuating level: the lake level varies a lot – check before launching.
- Camp & hike: a BLM recreation area with campgrounds and trails near Santa Fe.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Santa Cruz Lake?
Stocked rainbow trout, with brown trout and other species caught occasionally.
Can you camp at Santa Cruz Lake?
Yes – the BLM-managed Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area has campgrounds, trails and boat access.
Where is Santa Cruz Lake?
Near Chimayo, about 30 miles northeast of Santa Fe, in northern New Mexico.
Related: explore the small lakes of New Mexico, or head back to the New Mexico Lakes Database.
Explore more New Mexico lakes: the largest lakes in New Mexico and the deepest lakes in New Mexico.
