A Local's Guide to Grindstone Lake: Ruidoso's Best Kept Trail System
A Local's Guide to Grindstone Lake: Ruidoso's Best Kept Trail System
I have walked the Grindstone Lake loop more times than I can count. Early morning in June when the light comes through the ponderosas at a low angle and the lake is completely still. Mid-October when the aspens on the far shore are yellow and the air has gone sharp. Late December with snow on the trail and ice forming at the edges of the lake.
It never gets old. Every time I'm at the cabin, I try to get over there at least once. It's five minutes away and it is one of the best things Ruidoso has going for it, and a remarkable number of visitors never even know it exists.
That's about to change for you.
The Basics
Grindstone Lake is a reservoir managed by the Village of Ruidoso, sitting at about 6,800 feet in a pine-ringed canyon just south of the village center. The loop trail runs 4.2 miles around the perimeter of the lake, with a mix of paved path near the dam and packed dirt trail through the pines and junipers on the far side.
- Distance: 4.2 miles (full loop), easily shortened
- Elevation gain: Minimal (this is not a lung-buster)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace
- Cost: Free
- Dogs: Yes, on leash
- Strollers: Paved section near the dam is stroller-friendly; the dirt trail is doable with a jogging stroller on a dry day
Getting There and Parking
From the village center, head south on Sudderth Drive and turn onto Grindstone Canyon Road. The parking area near the dam is the main access point. It's clearly signed. Get there before 8am on summer weekends if you want a guaranteed spot. By 9:30am on a Saturday in July, the lot fills up.
There's also a secondary access point on the far side of the lake, accessible via the neighborhood roads above the east shore. Locals use this when the main lot is full.
From 2nd Street Retreat: You're looking at about 5 minutes. It's genuinely around the corner.
The Trail in Detail
Starting from the main parking area near the dam, the trail runs east along the south shore on a well-maintained paved path. This section is open, sunny, and has the best views back toward the dam and the peaks above.
About a third of the way around, the pavement gives way to packed dirt trail as you enter the pine forest on the north and west shores. This is my favorite section. The trees are dense here, the trail narrows, and you lose sight of the water for stretches. It feels like actual backcountry rather than a village park.
The west shore section has some minor undulation. Nothing serious, but enough to get the heart rate up briefly. There are a few social trails heading down toward the water. Follow your instincts.
The trail reconnects with the paved section and loops back to the dam. The whole thing is well-marked; it's essentially impossible to get lost.
Fishing at Grindstone Lake
The lake is stocked with rainbow trout by New Mexico Game & Fish. This is a legitimate fishery (not just a token stocking) and I've watched people pull decent-sized fish out of the deeper sections near the dam and the north shore inlets.
What you need:
- New Mexico fishing license (available at Lowe's Market, sports shops, or online at wildlife.state.nm.us)
- Trout stamp required
- Single hook, artificial lures or bait. Check current NM regulations.
Best spots: The north shore, particularly around any visible structure or where the inlet streams enter. Early morning and evening are prime time.
Technique: Light spinning gear, PowerBait for bait fishing, small spinners or soft plastics for lures. The water is clear at Grindstone, so subtlety helps.
Best season: Spring through fall. The lake can partially freeze in winter and fish go deep and slow.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Non-motorized watercraft are permitted on Grindstone Lake. You can launch from a couple of spots near the dam area. Just look for the beach access.
The lake is small enough to feel friendly even for beginners. A full paddle around the perimeter is maybe 30-45 minutes. The morning glass on the water before any wind picks up is something. If you're bringing kayaks, arrive early and beat the afternoon breeze.
Bird Watching
This is an underrated feature of Grindstone. The mix of water, pine forest, and open meadow edges creates genuinely good birding habitat. In summer, watch for:
- Western tanager (the yellow-red one, unmistakable)
- Steller's jay (bold, noisy, will steal your snacks)
- Osprey (occasionally fishing the lake in summer)
- Great blue heron (usually one around somewhere)
- Broad-tailed and rufous hummingbirds (abundant June–August)
- American kestrel on the open fence lines near the dam
Early morning is when the bird activity is highest. Walk quietly, stop often.
Season by Season
Spring (March–May): The trail can be muddy in spots after snowmelt. Wildflowers start appearing in April: locoweed, penstemon, and the first wild irises. The lake fills up from snowmelt and looks dramatic. Fewer people than summer.
Summer (June–August): Peak season. Trail is in excellent shape, lake is full, trout are active, hummingbirds are everywhere. Start your walk before 8am to beat the heat and the crowds. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, so plan accordingly.
Fall (September–October): My personal favorite. The aspens on the northeast shore turn yellow-gold in mid-to-late October. The air is crisp, the light is golden, and the trail is never crowded. The fishing is often excellent in fall as trout feed heavily before winter.
Winter (November–February): Quiet and beautiful if you're up for it. Snow on the trail, sometimes ice at the lake edges. Bring microspikes if there's been recent snow. You will likely have the whole loop to yourself.
Personal Notes
I've had some genuinely memorable mornings out here. One April, I came around the north shore at about 7am and found a mule deer standing knee-deep in the shallows, completely unbothered. Just stood there drinking while I froze on the trail, not wanting to spook her. We stayed like that for maybe two minutes before she walked into the pines.
Another time in October, the aspens had turned overnight and the whole east shore was golden in the low morning light. I stopped walking and just stood there being grateful I'd gotten up early.
Grindstone is like that. It gives you things you didn't know to expect.
Quick Tips
- Bring water. The altitude is real and the trail dries you out faster than you'd think.
- Sunscreen. The UV at 6,800 feet is no joke, even on partly cloudy days.
- Go early on weekends. Parking and trail crowds make a genuine difference.
- The far side of the lake (north and west shore) is where you find the solitude and the wildlife.
- Connecting trails: From the upper portions of the trail, there are unmarked connections into Lincoln National Forest if you want to extend your hike. Bring a map if you're exploring beyond the lake loop.
Five minutes from 2nd Street Retreat, Grindstone Lake is the kind of place where you go for a morning walk and come back with your head cleared out and your priorities reorganized. The cabin will be there when you get back, and the coffee maker's ready to go.