The Dam House

My family and I were staying in Ruidoso and we were there from Las Cruces New Mexico getting my daughter from NMSU. We went out to grindstone for fishing loved it me and my daughter tried to hike the mountains but couldn't do it LOL but the fishing was great the weather was great it was a very nice Lake Big Lake full of people only said things Campground wasn't open there's a lot of people pulling in with campers and they had to turn around to leave because the campground was closed but other than that it was really nice like I said Lake was full bunch of people fishing caught a lot of trout

The lake is beautiful. Nice waters and super awesome hiking/biking trails all around. You can do it til your heart is content. The only downside is there is A LOT of people there and unfortunately they leave their trash behind. Take the trails to avoid the crowds. During two bike rides I didn’t encounter anyone on them. Such a shame because they offer amazing views.

What a great place to swim, paddle, fish, bike, or just hang out! Very family friendly and great for picnicking. There's a path all the way around the lake, so there's plenty of lake shore to find a secluded spot for hanging out. The dam is off limits, so you will need to hike or bike around on the trails to get to the far side. There are port-o-lets and trailer-based restrooms on the parking lot side and a ways down the path on the same side of the lake if you follow the wide path, but it is very primitive on the far side with only a single-track hiking/biking trail. We visited in July and the water was cool and refreshing (I would guess about 70°F). Entry fee is $5 per car, but free if you bike in. There's plenty of parking, but if you visit on the weekends, be aware that you may need a reservation. There's a boat launch and boathouse where they rent all sorts of watercraft, from paddle boats (leg-powered), to canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. When we were there, there w...