Day Trippin' › New Mexico › From Albuquerque › Best beaches and lakes
Our picks for the best beaches and lakes within 3 hours of Albuquerque: 17 places, 0 under an hour away, 6 between 1 and 2 hours and 11 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 87102.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Spence Hot Springs, 1 hr 22 min north of Albuquerque.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: Ancho., Public domain
#1 · Hot spring · 1 hr 56 min north
A historic hot springs resort with a dozen mineral pools of different minerals, between Santa Fe and Taos.
Heads-up: Soaking pools are for ages 13 and up; under 18 must be with an adult. Book soaking passes ahead online or by phone.
Photo: Katie Sekelsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
#2 · Swimming · 2 hr 11 min south
New Mexico's largest state park, a big reservoir on the Rio Grande with beaches, boating and swimming.
Heads-up: Boat rentals and a marina. Accessible fishing pier and trails. Wear a life jacket. Leashed pets allowed. Summer heat is intense.
Photo: Kfasimpaur, Public domain
#3 · Lake · 2 hr 20 min south
A reservoir framed by the Caballo Mountains with boating, swimming, fishing and hiking.
Heads-up: Day-use hours 6 am-9 pm. Leashed pets allowed.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#4 · Lake · 2 hr 22 min east
A lake on the grassy plains north of Fort Sumner for boating, swimming, fishing and birding.
Heads-up: Open 24/7. Waterfowl hunting in marked areas. Dogs on a leash no longer than 10 ft.
Photo: Unknown, Public domain
#5 · Town · 2 hr 51 min southeast
A mountain resort town ringed by national forest, with a walkable Midtown, nearby lakes and horse racing at Ruidoso Downs.
Heads-up: The All-American Futurity runs Labor Day weekend. Grindstone Lake and Ski Apache are close.
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided, Public domain
#6 · State park · 2 hr 53 min south
A quiet park on the Rio Grande near Las Cruces with a cactus garden, short trails and paddling and swimming spots.
Heads-up: Swimming only in the north day-use area and not within 150 feet of the dam. Life jackets required for paddlers. Observatory opens once a month for events.
Photo: theturquoisetable, CC BY-SA 2.0
#7 · Waterfall · 1 hr 34 min northeast
A double waterfall and lake run by Nambe Pueblo, with short trails to the falls, fishing and kayak rentals.
Heads-up: Pueblo-run; closed in winter. No entry after 6 pm. The low trail crosses the river, so expect wet feet. Fishing and watercraft fees extra; life vests required. Leashed dogs welcome.
Photo: Anjbe, Public domain
#8 · Lake · 1 hr 35 min west
A lake in pinon and juniper hills below the Zuni Mountains, known for tiger muskie fishing and boating.
Heads-up: About 25 miles west of Grants. Gate 6 am to 9 pm in summer, 7 am to 5 pm in winter. Swimming not stated. Dogs on a leash no longer than 10 ft.
Photo: Jeff Vincent, CC BY 2.0
#9 · Hot spring · 2 hr 4 min south
A historic bathhouse district where hot mineral water rises at about 98-115 degrees, soaked in at several private bathhouses.
Heads-up: The town was called Hot Springs until 1950. Each bathhouse sets its own hours, rules and rates; book ahead on weekends.
#10 · State park · 1 hr 39 min north
A pine-ringed mountain lake in the Jemez with trout fishing, paddling with electric motors only, and trails for hiking and biking.
Heads-up: No swimming. Day-use hours 7 am to 4 pm. Elevation 7,650 ft. Dogs on a leash no longer than 10 ft (state park rule).
#11 · Lake · 1 hr 52 min northeast
A breezy lake north of Las Vegas popular for windsurfing, boating, swimming and fishing.
Heads-up: Gate hours change by season. Dogs on a leash no longer than 10 ft.
Photo: en:User:G._Thomas, Public domain
#12 · Lake · 2 hr 2 min north
A big reservoir on the Rio Chama below red mesas and Pedernal Peak, with a swim beach, boating, fishing and an overlook trail.
Heads-up: Swim beach has no lifeguards and was closed in 2025. Alcohol is not allowed. Campground by reservation April 15 to Oct 15.
Photo: QKC, CC BY-SA 3.0
#13 · Ghost town · 2 hr 58 min south
A silver-mining ghost town from 1878 with a restored schoolhouse and chapel and a self-guided walking tour.
Heads-up: Open 9-4, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Day use only. Parts of the townsite are private, stay on roads and trails. No artifact collecting.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#14 · Lake · 3 hr northwest
New Mexico's second largest lake, with marinas, a swim beach, boating and famous fly fishing on the San Juan River below the dam.
Heads-up: Accessible fishing piers. Boil-water advisory on the Cottonwood system. Dogs on a leash no longer than 10 ft.
#15 · Lake · 2 hr 54 min southeast
A mountain lake minutes from downtown Ruidoso with summer swimming, trout fishing, paddling and 18 miles of hiking and bike trails.
Heads-up: Summer parking pass required, no cash. Swimming Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day; kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket. Boat permit needed for kayaks and paddleboards. Leashed dogs.
Spence Hot Springs (1 hr 22 min), Williams Lake Trail (2 hr 55 min)
Our top picks are Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs (1 hr 56 min), Elephant Butte Lake State Park (2 hr 11 min), Caballo Lake State Park (2 hr 20 min), Sumner Lake State Park (2 hr 22 min) and Ruidoso (2 hr 51 min). The page lists 17 places in all.
17: 0 under an hour away, 6 between 1 and 2 hours and 11 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 87102.
Spence Hot Springs, about 1 hr 22 min north of Albuquerque.
2 need no pass or fee, including Ruidoso and Lake Valley Historic Townsite. Fees change, so check each place.
15 of the 17 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.