After Years of Devastation, This NM Lake Reopens—But There’s a Catch!

Labor Day weekend is upon us and many El Pasoans may be planning short road trips to take advantage of the three day weekend. Well, if you’ve been waiting for Bonito Lake in New Mexico to re-open so you can enjoy some time there then you are in luck!

After two devastating wildfires in the past decade, Bonito Lake is finally open

Starting at sunrise this Friday, August 30th, eager visitors can grab their fishing rods and head out to the scenic lake, which has been off-limits to the public for far too long. The City of Alamogordo is rolling out the welcome mat—well, at least for fishing fans. 

Originally set to reopen on May 25th, Bonito Lake faced another setback when the Blue 2 fire decided to crash the party, keeping the lake off-limits even longer. But now, the wait is finally over! 

A bit of history:

Back in 2012, the Little Bear Fire scorched the area around Bonito Lake, and when the Blue 2 fire followed, monsoon rains washed gravel and sediments from the mountains into the lake. 

Fast forward to 2023, after a massive restoration effort, Bonito Lake was filled with water once more. And now, it’s ready for you! 

"Bonito Lake is an alpine reservoir located high in the Sierra Blanca mountains northwest of Ruidoso, New Mexico. It is a popular fishing and camping destination, and although it is surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, it is not a part of the national forest."

 

For now, the lake is only open for fishing

But don’t worry, more fun is on the horizon. The City of Alamogordo is hard at work restoring properties around the Rio Bonito and Bonito Lake, with plans to bring back more recreational activities soon.