Where is it?
Bear Canyon Lake is in north-central Grant County in the Mimbres Valley, about half-way between Highway 152 and Highway 15 on New Mexico Highway 35.
Bear Canyon Lake is an easy drive from Rose Valley RV Ranch and is a popular destination for fishing, picnics, bird watching and more.
The man-made lake is located off Highway 35 and is a great lunch stop for drivers taking the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway. Access to the lake is via a short gravel road which rises steeply as it leaves Highway 35. While it is easily passable by almost all vehicles, drivers with long trailers or heavy vehicles should investigate the road's condition before driving up to the lake.
The lake has a boat ramp and several fishing areas; the entire shoreline of the lake is easy to reach by foot. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are in the lake, and regular fishing reports on the lake are available from the New Mexico Game and Fish Department. Boating on the lake is restricted to electric motors or self-propelled craft, and the entire lake is a no-wake zone.
On the road up to the lake, look off to the left at a view that captures the essence of the Mimbres Valley: horses grazing in lush, irrigated fields, family farms, and plenty of rugged landscape. It's easy to see why this valley has been a desirable place to live for thousands of years.
Once back on Highway 35, look for the lake's spillway. When the lake is full, the spillway creates a small, beautiful waterfall. The resulting creek passes beneath Highway 35.
