Another lake state park in New Mexico you can visit
It was a very, very windy visit to Ute Lake State Park in Logan, New Mexico (see map below for directions). It was so windy I was afraid I would not be able to fly the drone at all to get the content I needed for my client. Thankfully, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine drone is next level over previous drones for flying in strong winds and producing usable content. I was even helped out by one boat driving across the lake, and two kite boarders zooming over the rough lake surface! On the south shore of the lake you can see it has a rocky coast, fun for scrambling around on. The north shore has a gravely beach of sorts good for a sunset stroll. Have you been to this state park? It is out of the way, 35 minutes NE of Tucumcari, but a nice lake retreat area with the small town of Logan having restaurants, gas, and groceries. Check it out sometime!
Tucked away in the far southeast of New Mexico, Rockhound State Park is a place you probably have seen in the distance if you have ever traveled on I-10. The mountains standout from all the dozens of miles of flatness. The first few times I was in the Deming area, I thought to myself, what an odd name. What is a rockhound anyway or who is it? Only very recently did I learn that a rockhound is a person that goes out looking for rare rocks. Who knew there was an entire state park for such a thing in New Mexico!
Hidden Gem of a mountain lake in northern New Mexico
New Mexico has dual environmental personalities. The lower half of the state is mostly sand and baron. The upper half, is mostly mountainous and tree covered. So when you think New Mexico is a desert state, it’s hard to also picture that there is a place like Eagle Nest Lake State Park that is a mountain lake surrounded by tall grass and other flora. Hiking paths will take you all around the lake with pivoting views of different mountains. This is a place to come and cool off from the extreme summer heat. It was only 74F for a high on this day in late August! Check out the map below to visit this hidden gem mountain lake oasis.
Lathrop State Park in Colorado is notable for several reasons. First, it was the first state park in Colorado. Second, it is made up of not one, but two lakes! Martin Lake is for power boats and water skiers, while Horseshoe Lake is for more peaceful ventures like canoeing and kayaking. No matter which lake you choose there are stunning views of Spanish Peaks. The drone’s eye view shows how close these lakes are separated by a narrow strip of land combining for a very unique state park in Colorado! Have you ever been there?
If you find yourself in Roswell, New Mexico and you want to do some non-alien exploring, nearby Bottomless Lakes State Park is a hidden gem worth seeking out. The lakes are actually sinkholes filled with water, and as always, to my disappointment with such things, not truly bottomless! Some are up to 90 feet deep though, which for the desert, is pretty far down. You can hike all along the ~6 lakes even circumnavigating the rims of each which offer unique views adding even more to the sense of bottomlessness of the water. I had both my camera and drone with me to capture these lakes from all angles. Let me know in the comments if you have been to this state park, or after seeing these images, if you will be planning to visit.
On a recent rural land real estate shoot just west of Grants, I was able to take a detour to nearby Bluewater Lake State Park in a semi-official capacity, as the client wanted drone video of the lake to include with the property drone video. I had never even heard of this state park until I got this photo job neighboring it. In satellite view on Google Maps it did not look that impressive. However, my impression was instantly changed upon driving up, and essentially being able to drive right to the very edge of the lake itself! As you can see, the lake’s name is indeed apt, as its water is a deep blue. And, the park was entirely empty. I had it all to myself to enjoy for nearly an hour. Well, there were a lot of prairie dogs around, and some cows in the distance, but I do not mind animal friends for company. This is another hidden gem that is a short escape from Albuquerque. I highly recommend checking it out, especially on a weekday afternoon when it might be empty!
Traveling all over the state of New Mexico for rural land photography work allows me to explore some off the beaten path places in between shoots. The latest was Spring Canyon State Park, which is really part of Rockhound State Park, and this particular canyon is Lover’s Leap Canyon. That’s complicated! All without mentioning these parks are made up of the Florida Mountains! The trail up Lover’s Leap Canyon is allegedly only 0.9 miles, but it takes over 30 minutes due to how steep and rocky it is. The view just keeps getting better and better as the trail gets higher. Once at the top, take off your backpack, get out a snack, and enjoy the fruit of one’s hiking labors! This is another hidden gem in New Mexico.
