Labor Day weekend is just around the corner and many El Paso residents may be planning short road trips to take advantage of the three-day weekend. If you’ve been waiting for Bonito Lake in New Mexico to reopen so you can spend some time there, you’re in luck!
After two devastating forest fires in the last decade, Bonito Lake is finally open
Starting at sunrise this Friday, August 30, eager visitors can grab their fishing poles and head to the scenic lake that has been closed to the public for far too long. The city of Alamogordo is rolling out the red carpet – at least for fishing fans.
Bonito Lake was originally scheduled to reopen on May 25, but then another setback occurred when the Blue 2 fire ruined the celebration and the lake remained closed even longer. But now the wait is finally over!
Courtesy of Mark Stambaugh via Pictures of New Mexico Facebook
A bit of history:
In 2012, the Little Bear Fire devastated the area around Bonito Lake, and when the Blue 2 fire followed, monsoon rains washed gravel and sediment from the mountains into the lake.
Fast forward to 2023: After an extensive restoration effort, Bonito Lake has been refilled with water. And now it’s ready for you!
“Bonito Lake is an alpine reservoir high in the Sierra Blanca Mountains northwest of Ruidoso, New Mexico. It is a popular destination for anglers and campers, and although it is surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, it is not part of the national forest.”
Currently the lake is only open for fishing.
But don’t worry, there’s more fun to come. The City of Alamogordo is working hard to restore the lands surrounding the Rio Bonito and Bonito Lake and plans to offer more recreational activities soon.
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Gallery Credit: Courtesy of lake.com
