Photos: Camping in Santa Rosa Lake in eastern New Mexico

Santa Rosa Lake State Park in New Mexico - Photo: Still Gravity.
Santa Rosa Lake, New Mexico - License our images here.
    
This man-made lake is a fresh oasis against the aridness of the surrounding area. The dam of the Pecos River at the old Horseshoe Bend created this lake in 1981. The old river bend can be seen in Google Maps. 

The name Santa Rosa comes from the city 10 miles downriver, but the original name of the reservoir was Los Esteros - estuary in Spanish. 

Crossing the river in the 19th century meant being "West of Pecos". This was a way of saying "welcome to the wild West" with all its dangers associated. 

Canyon of the Pecos River in New Mexico - Photo: Still Gravity.
The beautiful canyon of the Pecos River after the dam. 

The Spanish explorer Coronado crossed these lands in 1540 and the area remained part of Mexico until they lost it after the war with the United States. This region was known as Agua Negra Chiquita - "Little Black Water". The town of Santa Rosa was born in 1890. 

In the 20th century, Santa Rosa lured Hollywood and became a set for some movies. A scene of The Grapes of Wrath was shot here. Then came the Interstate 40 and the new highway stole most of the travelers of the old Route 66. Like in many other towns of the West, the economy of Santa Rosa suffered.

Sign of the historic Route 66 in New Mexico - Photo: Still Gravity.
Sign of the famous Route 66.        

In Santa Rosa Lake State Park, we camped at Rocky Point Campground - 4,800 feet elevation. Pinyon pine, juniper, and yucca cover the grounds of the park, so we got some dots of green by the campsite.

Rocky Point Campground in Santa Rosa Lake State Park, New Mexico - Photo: Still Gravity.
Entrance to Rocky Point Campground in Santa Rosa Lake State Park. 

This state park has other two campgrounds. Juniper campground is closer to the lake, while Los Tanos is right by the park entrance - this camp is better for tent camping. 

The trails of are easy. Probably less than five miles all together. 

Collage of images of Santa Rosa Lake, the dam, and surrounding area in New Mexico - Photos: Still Gravity.
The lake, the dam, and the surrounding plains.

The Pecos River canyon on the other side of the dam is beautiful. We liked it better than the modern lake - second image of the post. 

There are interesting rock outcrops in one of the trails.     

Eroded rocks in one of the trails of Santa Rosa Lake State Park, New Mexico - Photo: Still Gravity.
Nice creations of the wind. 

Check a montage combining our photos with some videos in this link.

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