Bonito Lake Tour – Lincoln County
Date and Time:
Sat, Apr 11, 2026; 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Event Organizers:
John Pijawka
jastro@windstream.net
We’ll visit Bonito Lake and Blue Hole via the abandoned West Lake Campground owned by the City of Alamogordo and currently managed by the New Mexico Game and Fish “OPEN GATE” Program. We’ll be hiking the perimeter of the lake to the spillway and dam, and a short scramble up to the dam. We’ll discuss the history of the lake, the Bonito Pipeline and the geology of the area. The campground has been abandoned since the Little Bear Fire in 2012. We’ll also visit Blue Hole, a hidden spring across from the Rio Bonito on our way back. Please dress accordingly to the weather. Elevation is an easy 250′ with approximately 3.5 miles of hiking with several stops as needed. If we’re lucky, we might encounter some wild horses. No dogs please and appropriate for participants 18 years and older. Registration is limited to 6-8 participants. Ask leader for approval before bringing dogs or children.
Lincoln County – from the intersection of SR 48 & 37, proceed on SR 37 past Bonito Hollow Campground then turn on to Bonito Lake Road (FR 107 is dirt) approximately 5-6 miles (going around the lake) to the first left hand turn going over the bridge and proceed to either locked gate. Plenty of room!
fyi you can’t find the west lake campground on google maps (because abandoned) but there’s still as sign, and here is a map pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/RacqFpDQHZ2dZk4U8
Please note internet reception is unreliable.
Leader: John Pijawka jastro@windstream.net
Location: Bonito Lake and Blue Hole
Level: Easy
RSVP no later than April 9, 2026 at
wwww.riograndesierraclub.org/calendar
Level: Easy
Signup Instructions: wwww.riograndesierraclub.org/calendar
Bring: Water, snacks and sun screen
Signup Restrictions: If you want to bring children or dogs, please contact the leader for approval first.
Additional Directions: Lincoln County – from the intersection of SR 48 & 37, proceed on SR 37 past Bonito Hollow Campground then turn on to Bonito Lake Road (FR 107 is dirt) approximately 5 miles (going around the lake) to the first left hand turn going over the bridge and proceed to either locked gate. Plenty of room!fyi you can’t find the west lake campground on google maps (because abandoned) but there’s still as sign, and here is a map pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/RacqFpDQHZ2dZk4U8 For folks coming from the north, take I-25 South to exit 139 at San Antonio and proceed 73 miles on 380 East to Hwy 37. Look for a brown Forest Service sign between mm 2 & 1 and you’ll come to FR 107/ Bonito Lake Road.
