Best Swimming Holes and Water Activities Near Ruidoso
August in Ruidoso means the monsoon is in full swing, the pines are green and fragrant after afternoon rains, and the days are warm enough that the idea of getting into cold mountain water goes from theoretical to urgent pretty quickly. Fortunately, there are several good options within a short drive of town.
Here is the honest picture of the swimming and water activity options near Ruidoso.
Grindstone Lake
Grindstone Lake is the most accessible swimming option in the Ruidoso area, a reservoir less than two miles from Midtown off Sudderth Drive. The lake is fed by Grindstone Creek and holds water well through the summer. There is no designated swimming beach in the formal sense, but the south shore area near the dam has a grassy bank and shallow access where locals wade and cool off.
Swimming is technically at your own risk at Grindstone: no lifeguard, no formal swimming area designation. The water is cold year-round, typically in the 60s Fahrenheit even in August. Wading is the more common activity for families with small children. The lake is also good for fishing and the walking trail that loops the reservoir (4.2 miles) offers multiple access points to the water's edge.
Kayak rentals are periodically available at the lake in summer. If you want to be on the water rather than in it, a kayak or stand-up paddleboard is an excellent way to spend a Grindstone morning.
Alto Lake
Alto Lake is about 12 miles north of Ruidoso near the village of Alto, off NM-532 toward Ski Apache. This is a small reservoir managed jointly by the Village of Alto and the New Mexico Game and Fish, primarily known for fishing but also used for light recreation by locals.
The water access at Alto is better than at Grindstone for families looking to wade or swim in a more natural creek-and-lake setting. The surrounding pines and the mountain backdrop make it a genuinely scenic spot. There is no formal swimming area here either, but the shallow areas near the inlet are calm and approachable.
Check current conditions before visiting. Water levels at both Alto and Grindstone vary with snowpack and seasonal rainfall. In a dry year the lakes run lower.
Bonito Lake: Current Status
Bonito Lake, further up the mountain near Ski Apache on the Lincoln National Forest, was the historic swimming hole of choice for Ruidoso visitors for generations. The fire impacts in this area have affected the watershed and access, and the lake's operating status changes from season to season based on water quality testing and infrastructure conditions.
Before planning a trip to Bonito Lake, check the Lincoln National Forest website (fs.usda.gov/lincoln) or call the Smokey Bear Ranger District in Ruidoso at (575) 257-4095 for current access status. Do not assume it is open. The ranger district is straightforward about the situation and it changes year to year.
The Ruidoso Municipal Swimming Pool
For guaranteed, lifeguarded swimming, the Village of Ruidoso operates a municipal pool at 515 Sudderth Drive. It opens Memorial Day weekend and closes in early August, which catches people out: if you are here in late August the pool is already done for the year.
Admission is $5 per person, and there is a waterslide plus a shallow area for young children. Season passes and party rentals are available through Parks and Recreation.
If you are visiting with kids who specifically want to swim rather than wade in a cold mountain lake, the municipal pool is the answer. Lifeguards, clean water, predictable temperature, and a straightforward experience.
Creek Spots Along the Hiking Trails
The Rio Ruidoso and its tributaries feed several creek access points along the trail system. The South Fork Trail, Cedar Creek Trail, and the upper canyon tributaries all have sections where the creeks run cold and clear and the pools in the creek bed are deep enough for wading and the occasional small swim.
These spots are not swimming holes in any formal sense: they are natural creek pools created by log jams and bedrock formations, typically 2 to 4 feet deep at most, and they are cold enough that 10 minutes in the water is usually plenty. But on a hot August day after 5 miles of hiking, a cold creek pool is exactly what the altitude ordered.
The best creek swimming is in late summer when the monsoon has raised water levels but before September's drop in temperatures. Look for pools on the South Fork Trail about a mile and a half in from the trailhead, in the deeper sections of the creek where it bends around exposed bedrock.
Grindstone Lake Kayaking
If you want water activity without full immersion, Grindstone Lake kayaking is worth repeating as its own category. The lake is calm enough for beginners, the paddle around the perimeter takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace, and the views from the water are different and quieter than anything you see from the trail.
Check with local outfitters about current rental availability. Options rotate seasonally, so call ahead rather than assuming you can show up and rent.
One Last Note
Water safety in mountain settings is different from ocean or pool swimming. The water is cold enough to cause cold water shock quickly, especially for children and people who are not expecting it. Wear footwear in the creek beds. Do not enter swift water during or immediately after monsoon rain. Respect the no swimming designations at the dam faces on the reservoir.
The mountains provide the water, the shade, the cold, and the beauty. The rest is on us.
A note from the cabin side: 2nd Street Retreat guests regularly do a morning hike with a creek swim stop, then come back and nap on the porch while the afternoon storm rolls through. That is a very good Ruidoso summer day, and the hot tub in the evening after a cold creek is a contrast that works in every direction.