Abiquiu Lake
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

The Chama River flows through the center of the valley and was dammed in the mid 1960's to form Abiquiu Lake. While there are a couple of housing developments bordering parts of the lake, most of the lake is a State Recreation Area. The lake offers boating, swimming and excellent fishing. Upstream from here on the Chama River is that rafters' paradise designated as a National Scenic Wild River area. Also upstream from here is the famous Monastery in the Desert, accessible by a road heading south and west from above the Ghost Ranch area. Crossing the dam and heading west will bring you into the Jemez Mountains and the absolutely gorgeous Coyote area.