fenton lake state park

Visiting Fenton Lake is easy and only adds a few miles if you are doing the Gilman Tunnels road. The small lake looks pristine and quiet in early morning light and is quite photogenic in beautiful surroundings.

This is one of the prettiest state parks I have stayed in. We got site #9, which has a great view of the valley. This park is relatively quiet, kept clean, and the camp host was very friendly. Convenient to many great day hike trails, Jemez scenic byway, and Valles Caldera. Reserve in advance if you plan to stay more than one night.

The lake is small, but great for fishing, especially with kids. The campsites and toilets were clean. Our spot was 16. Quiet and a GREAT view. More chipmunks than I've ever seen anywhere else in NM! If you have kids under 12 head over to the Fish Hatchery. There's a stocked area and kids can fish free there. Lots of kids caught fish.

Between the shady trees and the easy access to fishing for visitors in wheelchairs, this lovely small lake is worth the drive through Whiterock and the winding road through the mountains. Sadly, the burn scars from several fires are clearly evident but makes one appreciate the ferocity of nature. The only complaint is that for the $5 fee we paid to enter, both toilet blocks were appalling and looked like they had not been attended to in weeks. Those with sensitive noses or weak stomachs would have a tough time using the facilities, resulting is some looking for rocks and bushes to duck behind.

Fenton Lake State Park is a truly beautiful park located within a couple hours' drive from either Santa Fe or Albuquerque. We drove in from Santa Fe, enjoying the scenery along Highway 4. We reserved our campsite online and obtained the last site without hookups. Sites with hookups are even more limited and can book up several months in advance. Other campsites are first-come-first-serve and fill up quickly. All sites were taken promptly Friday late afternoon for the weekend. The roads to get into the campground were decent but quite dusty, and the area is still recovering from fires a few years ago, so there was a very fine ash still present on the ground. Fire hazard was high the weekend we visited, and winds were moderate. Drinking water is available to pump yourself near the lake and there are many restroom facilities located throughout the campground. None of the facilities we used, however, contained more than just a toilet. There are numerous trails to hike and explore, and dogs are allowed on leashes. We saw two large deer on one of our hikes, and the scenery was truly beautiful. There was evidence of past fires in many places, however, with visibly burned trees, brush and meadows. Fishing is allowed with the proper license and several boaters used the nice boat launch ramp to launch their small crafts.We were actually surprised fires were allowed in the campgrounds as dry as it was, but rangers patrolled all campsites regularly. The campsites were quite smoky when campers had fires going, especially when winds died down in the late evening. Bottom line: Fenton Lake State Park is worth a visit for a nice day trip or for overnight camping. Just plan ahead and reserve a site online if you wish to camp.

With the news saying this and other areas nearby were open again because the fires were out, we showed up at 6:30 PM on a Friday night, whoops, campground full! Had to camp at the nearby Jemez Falls Campground instead.Came back Saturday morning, even then all the campsites were full and we had to drive around for an hour before finding site 2 available. There's a nice playground around the middle of the park that is sure to please the kids!The lake itself is for fishing only, and it was packed with people! There's a very nice 1 mile hiking trail that follows the river (stream?).The campsites were a bit rundown, the picnic tables have seen better days. We were pleasantly surprised when our fellow campers abided by the 10 PM quiet time.There really needs to be more camp sites, considering how close this park is to Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Fenton Lake was unexpected. It was prettier and cooler than I had imagined. The winding road up to the lake was pretty as well. After being in Albuquerque for a month during the heat wave, it was a refreshing break to get out of the desert and the city. It was in the 50's when we arrived early in the morning but by 10am it was warming up quickly. There are a lot of signs of what not to do, I guess it's to protect the wildlife and the lake which is good for fishing but no swimming is allowed.

We live in ABQ and drive up here for a day of fishing, or just a lollygagging picnic. We bring friends, or come alone, or I camp alone, or camp with grandkids . . . either way we enjoy our stay every time. Sounds to me like some of the other reviewers did something stupid and expected the Rangers to go along with it. Don't do the same. The rules are no different than any other place and neither is the enforcement. The renegade spirit runs roughshod over this state sometimes; just got to use some good sense and you'll be fine. I love Fenton because you can catch fish all day long. There are good spots around the lake, and there are better spots. It's up to you to find them. You'll enjoy your time here regardless. Camping is beautiful, but be sure to bring cots, or some extra good padding to sleep on because there are lots of uneven areas, and chunky sized rocks that can give a hip a fit! Campsites 1, 2 & 3 have the added benefit of a lovely stream that winds through them. River otters and beaver bounce around in the streams in the evening and early morning to the delight of anyone who happens to be awake enough to enjoy them. I suppose there are a few fish in that stream, but not often. There could be a deep hole from time to time, but you'd have to want to follow the stream for some while before finding one. There's a nice wide stream coming out of the dam that feeds into a couple of lakes built by beavers, before getting to campsite #1. It can all be so glorious when the weeds are high and the wildflowers are abundant. Be smart about storing your food at night. The raccoons have figured out how to open just about everything, but they haven't mastered the bungee cord. Watch out for bears and mountain cats.

We showed up late to camp. The entire campground was empty. Our tent site was covered in ice so we spread out a little bit. One vehicle, two tents. The next morning the ranger showed up and charged us for 3 sites! He said we were occupying three different sites. Unbelievable. I guess we were helping Him meet his quota for the weekend.

recently my friend and I went fishing at fenton lake. We paid our parking fee of $5.oo for the VAN we went on. Later in the day, the park ranger gave us a citation for not paying a $15.00 fee required for a BUS as noted on the entrance parking fee notice. We tried to explain to theindivual officer that our van was not a BUS but a van. Looks that this fellow does not know the differance between a VAN a BUS.Educate this fellow on the differnce or change the fee sign to include the fee for vans. Vans are of different sizes and can be the size of a SUV or a truck.Anyway, fishing was good that day.

I drove into this park to check it out. Very few sites have electricity, many are unlevel and hard to get into. I talked to the local "Barney Fife" inside the park and he was not courteous or friendly. He was on some sort of ego trip that I did not have time for. I left the park and will not come back. Close this park and save the taxpayer some money or get someone who will project the image that New Mexico would be proud of.

Fenton Lake lies in the heart of the Jemez Mountains on State Highway 126 just a short drive from Jemez Springs. The trip up to the park is a very pleasant drive, paved all the way, with outstanding scenery along the way. It's not uncommon to see rabbits and squirrels along the road driving in.The park does require a daily user fee but it's fairly low and well worth it. They offer overnight camping with prepared sites and vault toilets scattered throuighout the camping area which is alongside the stream that feeds the lake.Fishing is good, with trout easily caught either from the shore or from your boat. It's very cool under the pine trees during the hottest summer months, and it's a great place to come for a picnic lunch. You're not supposed to feed the chipmunks that sit beside your table begging for food, but do as your conscience dictates.

New Mexico has some wonderful and beautiful state parks, and Fenton is tops on my list for just enjoying nature for what it is. If you're wanting/expecting a lot of goings on and activities and you're someone that needs a lot of amenities and constant "manufactured" entertainment, then Fenton Lake State Park may not be for you.Like most mountain lakes, it is small...because of it's size, nothing beyond a small electric trolling motor on the back of your fishing boat/raft is allowed. For some, this may detour you....for others like myself, it is one of the qualities I like best; the lake is quiet and can be enjoyed for it's natural beauty. It's a haven for anglers and paddlers alike. Did I mention that it is beautiful? Because it is!It's one of those places I can just walk the trails and look out on the lake and just appreciate the beauty...I can just sit their in my camp chair and listen to the wind whistle through the pines (without the roar of some motor boat)...or the kids playing at the little playground, without a care in the world. All of my stresses just seem to float down the stream or get carried away in the breeze.The campground has 35 total sites. Several of these sites are reservable in advance, while the bulk are fist come-first served (FCFS). For those so inclined, there is a hookup loop (electric only) consisting of five electric hookup sites. Personally, though I camp in a camper, I prefer the other sites throughout the park as the sites in the electric loop are very, very close together. The non-hookup sites are more spacious and most have good separation from the neighbors.The area around the lake is for day use only, and there are no campsites right on the lake. Personally, I like this as well as it allows full public access to the shoreline without some angry camper looking at you like you're intruding in their campsite. This is a popular state park and the campground will fill on most weekends during the "camping season". If you're adverse to making reservations and prefer to pick your own site when you get there (like me)...I advise to arrive before or around noon on Friday, particularly if it's a holiday weekend.Check in time is 4:00 PM, but you can check in earlier if sites are unoccupied. Check out is 2:00PM.If you are more accustomed to RV Parks/Resorts, you will most likely find Fenton Lake SP to be on the "rustic" side as most of our state parks are. For me, it's downright developed as I generally boondock camp/dispersed camp along the numerous forest roads in the Jemez and elsewhere. If you are a person that simply enjoys and appreciates nature for what it is, I don't see how you could not enjoy Fenton Lake State Park....well, I guess you could end up with a loud camping neighbor that doesn't understand quiet hours :) ...but barring that, you should enjoy.

The park has tall pines and is well kept. The lake is stocked and quiet - no motors allowed..

always my favorite place to get away and have a wonderful time out in nature. ive never had a bad time.