Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Ute Lake

Ute Lake State Park is just a couple of miles outside Logan, NM. It was formed by a dam on the Canadian River and is one of the longest lakes in the state at nearly 13 miles.

There are several campgrounds available, ranging from primitive to developed with water and electricity.


Let's take a look at the three campgrounds near the dam, from smallest to largest, starting with the South Side Area.


There are just a handful of sites here and I didn't notice any drinking water.



Above and below are views of the dam.


There is a clean vault toilet available. If you have a self contained RV and a boat, this would be a good place to stay. Why? Because there is a boat ramp here not nearly as busy as the others across the lake.






If you swim north across the lake and continue west about three miles and then trudge ashore, you will be at the Logan Area.


There are over 40 sites here, about half with electricity. Down near the lake are Beaver Cove and Oldham Circle. Both have great views.



Up on a rise is the RV campground. 24 sites with water and electricity. Three of those have 50 amp service and all are first come first served.



On the lake shore you will find two boat ramps, several docks, and a small marina.



Behind those rocks is a great safe place for the kiddos to splash about.






The lake is like a mini Lake Powell, with lots of canyons to explore by watercraft.

The main campground and park office are located about three miles east of the Logan Area.


There is a modern restroom with showers (as with Logan Area) and a nifty play area.





The group shelter has four electric hookups and there is a multi lane boat ramp.




Freddy and I stayed here for a week, a Monday night through Sunday night. It was sunny until the weekend, when several storms said hello. So these photos will be a mixture of sunny and cloudy days.

For example:



There are four areas to camp. On your right after you enter is Zia. 24 sites with water and electric. Four of those have 50 amp service. These can all be reserved.



Next to that towards the lake is Roadrunner, consisting of about 20 dry sites with shelters.



A few hundred yards east past the playground is Yucca, where we stayed.


The 47 sites are all gigantic pull throughs. You could fit a 200 foot motorhome easily. Each has electricity and water, 6 having 50 amp service and 13 available for reservations.





Closer to the lake and boat ramp is the tent area. Pretty and empty in the mid-week sun.






Cloudy when the campers came.






Same thing with these lake views.

Weekdays.





Weekend.


But someone brought joy to those campers. Someone who doesn't care about the rain. Someone called...Freddy the Wonderpup!

We spent some time on Sunday afternoon in the tent area. Freddy played with all the kids and posed for several pictures including this group portrait.


As the sun started to set and the clouds cleared in the west. This happy camper was telling me about all the little frogs in the lake.


Freddy said he wanted to check out the frogs and when I turned back from answering him she was gone. Just a little red ring left on the shore.


We headed back to our trailer. There were still some clouds in the east. We both laughed at this microburst pouring down on just one RV.


A nifty view awaited us.


Not too shabby. We smiled at each other.

Regards,
Greg and Freddy