EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

FRIENDS hosts activities for children and adults at
both Eagle Nest Lake and in Cimarron Canyon. In

addition, there are ongoing activities that include:

Interpretive Programs
Trail maintenance and development
Clean-up days

All events are subject to New Mexico State Park regulations.

Polar Bear Plunge and Stomp

January 1, 2024

Registration at 12:00 noon

Stomp at 1:00 pm

Plunge at 2:00 pm

Start the New Year off with the Polar Bear Stomp along one of the Eagle Nest Lake flat trails. The Stomp should take about an hour depending on level of snow (snow depth will determine if you need to wear snow boots or snow shoes). Stomp begins at 1:00 pm. Hot chocolate and cookies will follow.

For those hearty souls looking to start their New Year off with a chill, take the Polar Bear Challenge and plunge into the ice cold waters of Eagle Nest Lake (conditions permitting). Shoes are required to take the plunge. The Plunge starts at 2:00 pm. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

There is no fee to register for either event, however a $5 Park fee per vehicle will apply or show a current annual State Park pass. The time for the Polar Challenge events has been changed since January 1st is on a Sunday. Registration begins at Noon on January 1, 2024, Stomp at 1 PM, and Plunge at 2 PM.

Come to the Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitor Center, 42 Marina Way, Eagle Nest NM 87718. For event info, call 575-377-1594 or see the following for details:

Information Flyer

Event Welcome

Polar Event Layout

RESULTS:

18 Polar Stompers and 50 Polar Plungers provided exciting entertainment for over 200 viewing these events to welcome the year 2023 at Eagle Nest Lake State Park on January 1. Although the wind was rather breezy in the morning, it was mostly calm for the Stomp at 1 PM and the Plunge at 2 PM, making it a nice, cloudy afternoon that was enjoyed by all participating in the events.

Plungers came from as far away as Crestview, Florida. There were Plungers from the Texas cities of San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston and Lubbock. New Mexico had participants from Eagle Nest, Angel Fire, Cimarron, Raton, Taos, Ranchos de Taos, Holman, Albuquerque, Roswell, and Clovis.

The annual New Year's Day Polar Events are hosted by Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks in conjunction with New Mexico State Parks.

Ice Fishing Tournament

January 27, 2024

Ice Fishing is now open on Eagle Nest Lake for foot traffic only. If weather conditions hold, the Ice Fishing Tournament will be held on January 27, 2024.

ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT INFORMATION - JANUARY 28:

REGISTRATION: 6 a.m. - 11 a.m.

WHERE: Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitor Center

END OF TOURNAMENT: You must be in line with your fish to be measured by 2 p.m.

Four Categories: 1. Trout/Salmon 2. Perch 3. Pike 4. Creel (Points for total fish in this category based on entry into one more of the species categories.) $10 fee for each category entered. (To enter the Creel category, at least one of the species categories must also be entered.) No Refunds!

Contestants may begin fishing for Tournament eligible fish any time after registering. New Mexico Game and Fish and State Park Regulations will be enforced!

Prizes will be awarded for "Biggest Fish" in categories 1, 2, & 3. Each contestant will be limited to entering one fish in each of the categories. The total length of the fish will be measured. In case of a tie in length, the girth will be measured to determine the winner. If a tie still exists, the prize will be shared by the winners. Creel winner is based on points for total fish caught in registered species categories.

Cash Prizes will consist of 75% of the registration fees collected for each category.

1st Place - 40% of the cash prize

2nd Place - 30% of the cash prize

3rd Place - 20% of the cash prize

4th Place - 10% of the cash prize

Informational Flyer

Ice Fishing registration form

Ice Fishing rules

Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitor Center, 42 Marina Way, Eagle Nest, NM

The Ice Fishing Tournament at Eagle Nest Lake State Park is hosted by FRIENDS.

Spring Clean Up Day

Cimarron River & Eagle Nest Lake

TBD 2024

Join friends, fellow anglers, and conservationists to help us clean up our state park waters! Meet at 8:30 am at Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitors Center parking lot. Dress appropriate for picking up trash, the weather and possibly getting wet. Bring drinking water and any snacks you want. Trash bags, trash buckets, trash picker tools and orange safety vests will be provided. This fun clean up day includes BBQ lunch and trash picking up prizes at Comanche Creek Brewery!

Children's Fishing Derby

May 11, 2024

Free to all children ages 3-11 at the Gravel Pit Lakes in Maverick Campground in Cimarron Canyon State Park. Registration starts at 10:00 am. Must be in fish judging line by 1:00 pm to have fish judged. New Mexico Fishing Regulations and $5 per vehicle Day Use Fees apply. For more information call 575-377-1594 or 575-377-6271.

Contest Rules:

All entrants must be registered on a bona-fide entry form.
Children must be 3-11 years old.
Only trout taken from Gravel Pit Lakes are eligible.
Free t-shirt to first 100 entrants.
Entrants may be assisted in casting their line, however entrant must reel in their own fish and may only use one pole.
Must be in fish judging line by 1:00 pm to have catch judged.
1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes are given in age groups 3-7 and 8-11.
Children must be supervised by an adult.
Entrant must be present to register and claim prizes.

Bring this entry form with you to sign up for the event.

The New Mexico Department of Game & Fish is a recognized sponsor for the Children's Fishing Derby providing fish in the Gravel Pit Ponds for this event.

Cimarron Canyon State Park Directions

FRIENDS Support for Run for the Wall

May, 2024

FRIENDS will be providing support for the military veterans participating in the motorcycle Run for the Wall event. Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

Week of May TBD: Place flags on Hwy 64
May TBD: Greeting Veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
May TBD: Preparation and serving dinner to the Veterans
May TBD: Preparation and serving breakfast to the Veterans

For more information, contact the Village of Eagle Nest at 575-377-2486.

June, 2024

THIS EVENT WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL FALL.

National Trails Day Hike

In observance of National Trails Day on June, 2024, Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks is coordinating a hike up Clear Creek Trail.

Details:

On Saturday June, 2024

8 AM meet at Clear Creek Trailhead at Hwy 64 Mile Marker 292 in Cimarron Canyon. At 8:15 AM leave trailhead to hike Clear Creek Trail.

To register for this hike, please reply to this email prior to June 2 with your name and the number in your party. No charge for the hike, just need an approximate number of participants. All NM State Park regulations apply.

Clear Creek Trail info: Moderate to moderately difficult - see pictures and more info at link below.
Distance: About 4-miles round trip passing three waterfalls. But participants don't have to hike to the end unless they want to see the 3rd waterfall.

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

From Eagle Nest, drive east on Hwy 64 to mile marker 292 in Cimarron Canyon and park near trail head. Hiking Trail follows Clear Creek and crosses several log bridges. A short section of the trail is steep and narrow. The trail ends at the third waterfall and returns along the same route.

For pictures and more information about the trail, go to The Clear Creek Trail in New Mexico website.

Annual FRIENDS Summer Membership Drive, Board Elections and Potluck

July 18, 2024

Come see what FRIENDS is all about. Share your ideas and help us plan events for 2024-2025! Meeting time is from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitor Center at 42 Marina Lane in Eagle Nest.

FRIENDS will provide the main dish and iced tea for the potluck. Attendees are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to share.

If you would like to attend this meeting via Google Meet, please send an email to friendsenccparks@gmail.com no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Friends is a volunteer membership organization that supports activities to enhance visitor experience at Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks. Annual Membership Fee $30 (includes immediate family). Active Members receive a Day-Use Pass for Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks.

8th Annual Eagle Fest

August, 2024

Join Eagle Nest as we celebrate our 8th Annual EagleFest in August 2024. Enjoy a weekend of Hot Air Balloons, music, your favorite vendors and much more. Events will be held at the Enchanted Eagle Park in Eagle Nest, NM and hosted by the Village of Eagle Nest. Bring your family and friends for a weekend of fun.

For details, call 575-377-2486 or visit eaglenest.org.

Fall Clean Up Day

Cimarron River & Eagle Nest Lake

September 30, 2023

Join friends, fellow anglers, and conservationists to help us clean up our state park waters! Meet at 8:30 am at Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitors Center parking lot. Dress appropriate for picking up trash, the weather and possibly getting wet. Bring drinking water and any snacks you want. Trash bags, trash buckets, trash picker tools and orange safety vests will be provided. This fun clean up day includes lunch and trash picking prizes at the Lucky Shoe in Eagle Nest!

EVENTS AT EAGLE NEST LAKE
HOSTED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

July 4, 2024

Firemen's BBQ & EMT 911 Sundaes
4th of July Fireworks over the Lake

The Firemen's BBQ and the Parade in Eagle Nest are on schedule.

Enjoy delicious BBQ at the 41st Annual Eagle Nest Volunteer Fire Department BBQ Benefit. Barbecue beef, beans, coleslaw, roll and beverage will be $12 per plate donation. The EMT 911 Sundae proceeds will benefit the Eagle Nest Volunteer Ambulance Service.

The Fireworks over Eagle Nest Lake might be a laser light show if they can get one scheduled at this late date. Even though the fireworks over Eagle Nest Lake are safe, having fireworks might make others think fireworks are OK, and out of respect for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire victims, it would be best not to have 4th of July Fireworks over Eagle Nest Lake.