Grindstone Lake Recreation Area and Trail System
111 Wiggins Way, off Resort Drive
This multi-use trail system, designed by the International Mountain Biking Association, consists of 5 trails totaling 18 miles and is open to mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Please be courteous in interactions with fellow trail users.
Grindstone Lake Webcam. Enjoy your favorite view from home.
SUMMER RESERVATIONS SYSTEM:
Summer Parking & Boat Permits Now Available
Parking Permits
Season Dates: Parking fees are in effect from Saturday, May 23 through Labor Day (September 7).
Where to Purchase:
Parking permits are available at the Parks & Recreation Office only
📍 535 Resort Drive, Ruidoso, NM
Rates:
• Ruidoso residents (“locals”): $10
• Lincoln County residents: $20
• New Mexico residents: $30
Non-Resident Parking:
• $10 per vehicle
Payment Information:
• No cash accepted for parking permits
FISHING AND BOATING
The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, and on occasion, catfish and smallmouth bass. Anglers love this lake because it is one of two public waters in the area where you can use a non-motorized boat. The shoreline can get fished pretty heavily, especially around holiday weekends.
Shore Fishing Hours: 5:00 am to 11:00 p.m.
Vessel Fishing Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Boat Permits
Daily Pass: $5 | Annual Pass: $20 (valid through December 31)
All vessels require a permit. A “vessel” includes boats, hand-propelled boats, sailboats, paddle boats, paddle boards, and any watercraft used or capable of being used as transportation on water.
Permits can be purchased:
• At self-pay stations at the lakes (cash or check accepted)
• Online (available April 1)
• Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation Office (535 Resort Drive, Ruidoso, NM)
Annual permits are valid for use at both Grindstone Lake and Alto Lake.
Fishing Licenses & Permits
Anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico Fishing License or Game-hunting & Fishing License. Need a license? Licenses are available online (click here), by phone at 888-248-6866, or by license vendors.
Boating is allowed year-round (see Use of Vessels on Lake section for what is allowed). A permit is required and is available for purchase at the lake or by calling Parks & Rec at 575-257-5030.
DISC GOLF
Grindstone Lake is home to a 27 hole, 81 par heavily wooded disc golf course, home to the annual New Mexico Disc Golf Championships.
Grindstone Disc Golf Course, Ruidiso, NM
Learn more about Grindstone Lake at the official Ruidoso tourism website, DiscoverRuidoso.com.
Check out the TripAdvisor reviews of Grindstone Lake here.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Grindstone Lake is frequented by various wildlife such as black bears, mule deer, elk, blue heron, Osprey’s, and the occasional Bald or Golden Eagle. The most common of the visitors is the Osprey which can be seen diving into the lake in the spring or fall on their migration across the country. A viewing area has been dedicated to viewing these wondrous birds and their acrobatic feeding routine.
WHAT’S NEW(S)
GRINDSTONE LAKE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Pets must be on a leash.
A New Mexico fishing license for those 12 years and older is required.
Shore Fishing Hours: 5:00 am to 11:00 p.m.
Vessel Fishing Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Use of vessels on the lake.
"Vessel" defined. As used in this article, the term "vessel" means and includes boats, hand-propelled boats, sailboats, paddle boats, and every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
“Electric Trolling Motor” Must be a self-contained unit that includes an electric motor, 12 Volt marine battery, propeller and controls, and is affixed to an angler's boat, either at the bow or stern.
“No Wake” Means moving at the slowest speed possible while still maintaining steerage and less than 5 miles per hour.
Prohibited areas. No vessel shall be used or operated on Alto or Grindstone Lake in the areas fenced or buoyed around the water intake structures and water diversion entry points.
Operation and safety standards; boating permit. No vessel shall be used or operated on Village of Ruidoso Lakes except in accordance with the following requirements:
Motorized vessels with electric trolling motors restricted to no wake speed, may be used on Grindstone Lake. Only non-motorized boats will be allowed on Alto Lake. Vessels which exceed 19 feet in length may not be used on Alto or Grindstone Lake
No person shall use any vessel on Alto or Grindstone Lake in a careless or reckless manner or so as to interfere with the reasonable use or enjoyment of the lake by any other person.
No vessel may be used on Alto or Grindstone Lake unless the user has obtained a boating permit from the Village Parks and Recreation Department. The boating permit may be obtained by: Completing an application & paying the applicable fee for an annual permit, one-day permit or three-day permit.
Every vessel shall have such permits, licenses and titles as required in NMSA 1978, § 66-12-1 et seq., the New Mexico Boat Act.
Every vessel shall be equipped as required by the New Mexico Boat Act.
Each occupant of any vessel on the lake is required to wear, at all times, a personal flotation device of a type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Every vessel shall, at all times, observe the rules of the road established by the United States Coast Guard for inland waters, in addition to laws of the state and local ordinances and regulations.
Recreational swimming and diving from any vessel is prohibited.
No person under the age of 16 years shall operate a vessel upon the lake except with the authorization of a guardian. The operator of a vessel being used for recreational purposes shall require a child age twelve or under who is aboard the vessel to wear a personal flotation device approved by the United States coast guard as required in NMSA 1978, § 66-12-1 et seq., the New Mexico Boat Act.
No vessel shall be operated on the lake during an electrical storm.
Vessel operation, other than in the designated areas, is prohibited.
The owner or operator of each vessel assumes all risks of the operation of the vessel. The owner or operator of the vessel assumes all civil liability for operating the vessel on Alto or Grindstone Lake.
Vessels may be used on the lake from sunrise to sundown.
All vessels shall be prepared for loading or unloading in the designated parking/loading areas only
All vessels must be transported by hand from the designated parking/loading areas to the lake.
Sec. 62-32. - Fishing
(a) Fishing shall be permitted at Alto or Grindstone Lake with the proper license and in compliance with appropriate state law.
(b) Fishing will be allowed from sunrise to sundown from vessels which are lawfully operated on the lake, and from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from the shore.
(c) Fishing shall not be permitted on Alto or Grindstone Lake in the areas fenced or buoyed around the water intake structure and the water diversion entry point.
Sec. 62-33. - Swimming or wading; dogs.
Swimming shall be permitted at Grindstone Lake from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, sunrise to sundown. Swimming shall be at the swimmer's own risk.
Children age twelve or under must wear a personal flotation device approved by the United States coast guard as required in NMSA 1978, § 66-12-1 et seq., the New Mexico Boat Act.
Swimming shall not be permitted in Grindstone Lake in the areas fenced or buoyed.
Dogs are allowed in the water and leash laws shall remain in effect for the surrounding areas at Grindstone Lake.
- Concessionaires.
All concessionaire operations at Alto or Grindstone Lake, approved by contract with the Village of Ruidoso, shall be exempt from licensing regulations, unless otherwise provided by contract.
LOW-SEASON OPERATIONS
Grindstone Lake Recreation Area returns to low-season operations after September 7, 2026, as follows:
HOURS OF OPERATION: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Parking passes will not be required after September 7, 2026.
The Wibit Waterpark will be closed for the season, and the swimming season will be over after September 7, 2026, but you can still kayak, paddle board, fish, hike, picnic, and play disc golf.