Ute Lake State Park Campground

By Dave Heath On

Ute Lake State Park is located on Ute Lake near Logan NM. Ute Lake is the largest man made lake in New Mexico and is on the Canadian River. The lake is 13 miles long and is home to various boating, water sports, and fishing activities. The state park consists of 7 camping loops, a nature center and a boat ramp. Two of the loops, Yucca and Zia have electricity available with either 50/30/20 or 30/20 amps.

Ute lake state park is located near Logan NM which is 25 miles north of Tucumcari, NM and I-40. We used this campground as a stopover between Albuquerque and Amarillo as we headed east for the winter. There is not a lot in the area outside of a quiet campground with low light pollution and water sport activities.

The campground has a dump station near the entrance/exit of the park. The Yucca loop has views of the lake and dam. Each site has a picnic table that is covered and enclosed on two sides by block walls for wind protection. The campground is a mixture of pull through site and back in sites. All of the pull through sites in the Yucca loop could accommodate a 60’ unit.

Review

We used this campground as stop over on our way east so that we could work during the week. We stayed for 3 nights arriving on a Sunday and leaving on a Wednesday for Amarillo. We chose the campground for its price and also for it’s location between our first stop in Gallup and our next stop in Amarillo.

We arrived around 5:15 on Sunday and went to our site. The entrance gate was closed the entire time we were there. So plan to have your site information handy so you can drive to it. The campgrounds are not well marked from the main drive so also have a map handy to figure out where to turn. Our vehicle pass was on the site post near the electric box at our site. We did not interact or see a camp host during our stay, but as it was off season and only the Yucca loop was open they may not have been on duty.

The park was quiet and calm which we appreciated and as expected there was limited shade. The sites are spacious and spread out so you are not on top of any neighbors. The Yucca loop was maybe 20% full as this was off season for the park.

The dump station is only available on your way out as it starts near the entrances to all of the loops. There are three lanes and two dump bays.

If you are driving I40 across the country and want a good spot to stay off the beaten path for a few days to relax and recharge I would recommend this state park.

Campground Information

The campground is split up into multiple loops. Yucca Electric loop is located near the lake and open year round. The other Electric loop is the Zia Electric loop which is closed from September to April. There are three other loops without electricity. Check the reservation system for length restrictions but all the Yucca pull through sites can easily accommodate larger units.

Each site has electricity offering 20/30 amp service and water. Some of the sites also have 50 amp service. Make sure to check as I thought I reserved a 50 amp site but it was only a 30 amp site. The campground offers both back in and pull through sites. A dump station is provided near the entrance to the campground.

Ute Lake State park is located at 3200’ or 975 meters in elevation so the winters will get snow.

There are public bathrooms spread throughout the campground each contains both a bathroom and multiple shower stalls. The bathroom closest to our site was clean when I checked it out.

Amenities

  • Electricity: Yes 20/30 – Yucca and Zia loops, 50 amp is available.
  • Water: Yes
  • Sewer: No – Dump Station Available

Extras:

  • Pool: No
  • Cable: No
  • Wifi: Yes, Viasat (Sattelite based internet). Pricy
  • Cellular:
    • AT&T: ✔️ ( 4 Bars)
    • Verizon: ✔️ (3 Bars)
    • T-Mobile: ✔️ (2 Bars)
    • Sprint: ❓
  • Fire pit: Yes
  • Picnic Table: Yes (Not easily moved)
  • Check in Time: 4PM
  • Check Out Time: 2PM

Fees / Limits

Fees: 

  • Reservation Fee: $12.00
  • Nightly Fee: $14.00 For water/electric. $10.00 for primitive
  • Extra vehicle fee: $7.00 per vehicle per day.

Note: The nightly fee includes one tow vehicle (Either towing or being towed).

Limit: You can stay a max of 14 days.

Notes

  • The roads from I40 to the park are under construction in October of 2021 and can be rough.
  • If possible I recommend getting a pull through site to make it easier to setup and for the space of the site.

Information

Address: 1800 540 Loop, Logan, NM 88426

General Directions: Take Exit 333 on I-40 and head north on Rte 54 to Logan NM. Turn Left on Rte 540 in Logan NM and drive 2.2 miles the park will be on left.

Website: Ute Lake State Park

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