Stinking Lake — also known as Burford Lake — is, remarkably, the largest natural lake in New Mexico and its single most important waterfowl breeding ground. This alkaline lake sits on the Jicarilla Apache Nation in Rio Arriba County, and the great conservationist Aldo Leopold once called it the “greatest natural wonder” in the state. It is a wildlife lake, not a resort. This guide is part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.
Stinking Lake at a glance
- Also called: Burford Lake
- Location: Jicarilla Apache Nation, Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico
- Distinction: the largest natural lake in New Mexico — a large alkaline lake and marsh complex
- Wildlife: the state’s most important waterfowl breeding area — 10+ duck species and 30+ water-bird species nest here
- Access: tribal land managed for wildlife — a breeding refuge, not a developed recreation lake
New Mexico’s greatest natural wetland
For all its unglamorous name, Stinking Lake is a genuine natural treasure. It is New Mexico’s largest natural lake and the heart of one of the state’s most important wetlands — an alkaline lake and marsh that, together with several smaller lakes nearby on the Jicarilla reservation, supports an astonishing breeding population of waterfowl. Aldo Leopold, who studied the region, judged it the greatest natural wonder in New Mexico.
A haven for waterfowl
At least 10 species of ducks and 30 species of water birds breed at Stinking Lake and its neighbors — a density that stands out even among the wetlands of the West. Because these tribal waterfowl habitats are productive only for a few weeks before freezing over, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has authorized special Jicarilla waterfowl seasons since 1986. The lake is managed above all for these birds.
Visiting Stinking Lake
This is tribal land managed for wildlife, not a public boating or swimming lake. Access is controlled by the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the lake’s value is ecological rather than recreational. Anglers and boaters who want to fish the reservation should head instead to the tribe’s stocked trout lakes such as Stone, Mundo and Enbom, with a Jicarilla permit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest natural lake in New Mexico?
Stinking Lake (Burford Lake), on the Jicarilla Apache Nation in Rio Arriba County, is New Mexico’s largest natural lake — a large alkaline lake and the state’s most important waterfowl breeding area.
Can you fish or visit Stinking Lake?
It is tribal land managed for wildlife, not a developed recreation lake, and access is controlled by the Jicarilla Apache Nation. For fishing, the tribe stocked lakes (Stone, Mundo, Enbom) are the place to go, with a permit.
Why is it called Stinking Lake?
The name comes from the smell of its alkaline, marshy water; it is also known by the more formal name Burford Lake.
Related: explore more 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.
