South Area Campground

Overview

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to explore and enjoy the many recreational opportunities that Conchas Lake has to offer. Whether you are planning an extended camping trip at one of the designated campsites, or a fun-filled day on the water with family and friends, we hope your visit is safe and that you return often. Eastern New Mexico’s unique terrain attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over. Whether your passion is hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, photography, admiring beautiful sunsets, or art, the Conchas Lake area is sure to accommodate.

Stop at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Administrative Office and Visitor Center for a brief introduction to the park environment and nearby features. The Visitor Center displays will introduce you to the history of the area, the Corps’ mission, area archeological features, and existing recreational facilities.

Conchas Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed lake; however, most campgrounds and recreation areas are managed by New Mexico State Parks. Federal Recreation Passports for these areas are not accepted. For information about NM State Park recreation areas please call the Conchas Lake State Park Office at 575-868-2270 or visit their website at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/conchas-lake-state-park/

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers two separate Day Use Picnic Areas –the Captain Kramer Day Use area across from the Conchas Dam Administrative Building and the Juniper Day Use area located in the Southside Recreation Area. A water access point Boat Launch Ramp and Campground are also located in the Southside Recreation Area.

Recreation

Camping

The Southside Recreation Area Campground contains 20 primitive camp sites with water only, picnic shelter, grills, and fire pits. These sites are $10 per night. Water is available from April - November only.

Fishing

Conchas Lake provides excellent fishing. The lake is stocked by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish with bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and walleye.

The lake is open all year to fishing.

New Mexico fishing licenses and copies of fishing regulations are available from vendors throughout the state

Water Sports

Boating, sailing, and water skiing are all permitted at Conchas Lake.

Boat launch ramps are available at the Corps-managed Southside Recreation Area. Fees are $5 per vehicle. This fee is covered by America the Beautiful Passes so please display pass on the dashboard of your vehicle. Fee can be paid using credit/debit card at our NEW electronic fee machine located outside of our Ranger Station building on the Southside.

New Mexico State boating laws and Corps regulations apply to all boaters at Conchas Lake. Copies of all regulations are available at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Administrative Building Visitor Center and Southside Ranger Station; copies can also be obtained at the NM State Park Office.

Federal and State laws require a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket be available for each person on board a boat. Children 12 years old and younger MUST wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket while underway. Each person on board a Personal Watercraft (PWC), kayak, canoe, or rubber raft, must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket.

When on the lake, stay at least 300 feet from the dam. When winds of 15-20 mph are forecasted or blowing, boaters are cautioned to stay out of open water. Boaters and skiers should be watchful for submerged stumps, logs, rocks, and other obstructions, especially in shallow water and along the shoreline. Always remember that operation of a watercraft under the influence of alcohol can be fatal. Please use good judgment.

Natural Features

Conchas Lake does not allow hunting. Some of the many mammals seen in the area include Barbary sheep, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, beaver, badger, mountain lion, bobcat, porcupine, coyote, muskrat, raccoon, red fox, swift fox, black-tailed jackrabbit and desert cottontail. The lake also provides habitat for seasonal waterfowl as well. Canada goose, white-fronted goose, mallard, gadwall, pintail, teal, American widgeon, shoveller, redhead, ringed-neck duck, canvasback, lesser scaup, common golden-eye, bufflehead, ruddy duck, hooded merganser, common merganser, and the American coot are some of the birds spotted.

On August 15, 2009, there was a rare sighting of a Blue-Footed Booby at Conchas Dam. Normally sighted on the Gulf of Mexico and farther south to Peru, the rare bird sighting was quickly confirmed by bird experts. This was the first sighting ever in New Mexico. Word traveled fast. Over 1,000 bird enthusiasts and curious visitors came to Conchas Lake from all over New Mexico and across the nation including Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Washington, California, Connecticut, Montana, Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri to catch a glimpse of the rare bird.

The zebra mussel is an invasive species that can alter the natural ecosystem and out-compete native species if introduced into fresh water lakes or streams. They range in size from microscopic to two inches. They cluster together, causing problems for boat motors, pipes and dams. In order to prevent the spread of this nuisance species, each boat that enters the water at the south side boat ramp is inspected. The zebra mussel inspection program started the summer of 2009 and has inspected over 2,800 boats. To help educate the public, there are several signs, a billboard, and decals on the rangers’ trucks. There is a project website and PSA as well. The Corps also works in cooperation with (NM) State Parks, who perform the inspections on the north (boat) ramp, by sharing numbers weekly.