Nestled in the heart of New Mexico is a village in the Sierra Blanca mountains. It’s a place you may never have heard of, but you should: Ruidoso. The beauty of the area and the fantastic array of things to do and places to see means it’s the perfect place for any vacation. With all the outdoor activities in Ruidoso and Ruidoso family activities, it’s a must-see and a place that will live in your heart forever.

One of the most amazing Ruidoso sites is cool, shimmering Grindstone Lake at the Grindstone Lake Recreation Area. Grindstone Lake is one of the best places in the state to enjoy all the outdoor fun and adventure you could imagine – from paddling and hiking to biking, disc golf, swimming, and so much more! It’s all about family, fun, and the best of what New Mexico offers.

We’ll tell you about some of the unbelievable Ruidoso outdoor activities you can expect at Grindstone Lake Ruidoso. Please read all about it and then explore our Ruidoso cabin rentals that will put you near all the action. 

Pre-Visit Information

The Grindstone Lake Recreation Area and Trail System is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, so if you want to make the most out of your visit, you’ll need to be aware of some things before you get here. If you’re coming in the low season (effective around the start of September), reservations are not required for weekend visits, and you can use the area from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The water park and swimming are closed during the low season, but there are still many other things to do, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, disc golf on a 27-hole, par 81 wooded courses, picnicking, hiking, and more!

To preserve the natural resources in the high summer months, the Village of Ruidoso requires weekend advance parking reservations in the Grindstone Lake area from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you want to park at Grindstone Lake in the summer months, there is a fee of $10 per vehicle. A reservation is not required Monday through Thursday. You can even bring your furry friends! Book one of our pet-friendly cabin rentals in Ruidoso and bring your pup along for all the adventures! Just make sure they stay leashed while out and about.

Wibit Water Park

If you’re looking for unique activities to enjoy in Ruidoso during the Summer months – from Memorial Day to Labor Day – one of the best ways to enjoy Grindstone Lake is at Witbit Water Park. It’s an inflated platform that includes super-fun slides, tall towers, trampolines, ramps, and bridges the whole family can enjoy. It provides endless ways to jump, splash, bounce, and laugh for the kids. You can buy your pass for the Witbit Water Park at the lake. A Daily Witbit Pass is $20 per person, but you can pair it with passes for pools and party rentals at an additional cost. The Witbit Water Park is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grindstone Family Fun Park

When you’re not splashing around in the water, there are many other ways the whole family can enjoy the area. One of the most popular is the Grindstone Family Fun Park at 525 Resort Drive. This fantastic place features entertainment for everyone, including tractor rides, a giant slide, a tunnel to explore, picnic areas, a bounce house, and a petting zoo! Since it’s so close to all the fun at the lake, you can pair a day of exploring the water with a day exploring endless land-based family fun!

Equipment Rentals

If you come to the lake with nothing but a thirst for adventure, it’s okay! You can rent equipment there. Boat rentals, fishing equipment, and snacks are offered in the summer months through Labor Day, with concessions open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fishing & Boating

Grindstone Lake is a great place to view wildlife. The residents include black bears, herons and Osprey, mule deer, elk, and eagles. But the most popular is the fish! The lake is the perfect place to head out in a boat and cast your line for some great Ruidoso fishing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, catfish, and smallmouth bass. If you want to fish at Grindstone Lake, you need a license. You can pick one up at Western Auto or online from the Department of Fish and Game. From sunrise to sundown from boats, fishing is permitted from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. from the shore. Make sure to avoid fishing from fenced or buoyed areas.

If you decide to take out your boat, a daily pass is $5 (annual passes cost $20). All vessels, including boats, hand-propelled boats, sailboats, paddleboats, paddleboards, and more, require a permit. You can purchase one at the Grindstone Lake self-pay station, which accepts cash only. You can buy one Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation office at 535 Resort Drive in Ruidoso. Follow all boating regulations around wakes, prohibited areas, and safe boating practices.

Hiking Trails

Swimming, fishing, and boating are natural treats in the Grindstone Lake area. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t many fun places to explore around the lake, on dry land. For mountain bikers, the Grindstone Trail System is one of the best. It features miles and miles of scenic views for bikers at all skill levels. Open since 2014, an 18-mile loop through the Lincoln National Forest is a great option. If you don’t want to take the whole loop, you can turn it off for shorter adventures. The system boasts terrific views of Sierra Blanca. It’s also a great trail system for hikers. Make sure to watch out for horseback riders! Take Resort Drive to Grindstone Lake Road for about 0.3 miles until you find the public parking area to get to this fantastic spot.

Ruidoso rentals are the best way to get close to all the fantastic water and land adventures at Grindstone Lake. We have you covered if you want to explore all the tremendous Ruidoso outdoor activities or spend the day at a Ruidoso park taking in the local culture and a picnic. Mountain Air Cabins has the Ruidoso cabin rentals with a hot tub you want for the vacation you and your family need.

You will find Ruidoso cabins with all the best a “home away from home” can offer when you rent with Mountain Air Cabins. We care for these homes like they’re our own, and we are always available to guests if they call. We offer the direct booking to get the property you want when it’s available. Most of our cabins are located a short distance from the Upper Canyon, so you can enjoy your coffee while watching the wildlife and feeling the cool mountain breezes.

Whether you want one bedroom cabin rental for a romantic getaway or a four-bedroom cabin for everyone to come and enjoy, we can help, and with pet-friendly cabins in Ruidoso, everyone (and we mean everyone!) can stay and play.

The Ruidoso area is waiting for you – including the treasures and fun of Grindstone Lake. So don’t delay! Reach out and book with us today.