Spend a beautiful day at a shimmering Ruidoso mountain lake.
Discover detailed visitor information for Grindstone Lake, one of Ruidoso’s most popular recreation areas offering paddling, hiking, biking, disc golf, swimming, and more.
NEW! Grindstone Lake Webcam
Top Grindstone Lake Attractions and Activities
Don’t miss Ruidoso’s unique attraction, the Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake, a floating, inflatable platform perfect for family fun, birthday parties, and special events. Open in summer only (Memorial Day to Labor Day Monday). Check the Parks and Recreation Facebook page for any weather-related announcements or changes in hours.
Head to the water for a day of paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more. The Dam House at Grindstone Lake is open for boat and bike rentals, fishing equipment, food, and drink at Grindstone Lake from May to September.
Ruidoso's Grindstone Lake Trail System now has even more opportunities for recreation. Hike and bike brand-new trails located in Ruidoso, off of Carrizo Canyon road at Mud Canyon Rd. Constructed by EcoServants, the connector trails provide free access to the existing Grindstone Lakes Trail System.
Enjoy the Ruidoso experience from beautiful Grindstone Lake via a live HD streaming tourism webcam from its scenic location at Ruidoso’s most popular recreation area.
Grindstone Lake Recreation Area returns to low-season operations effective September 6, 2022. Open 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, weekend reservations are no longer required, and while the WIBIT Water Park is closed for the season, you can still kayak, paddleboard, hike, bike, horseback ride, picnic, and enjoy disc golf.
This family-focused entertainment venue offers a petting zoo, tractor rides, giant slide, tunnel, picnic area, and a bounce house. Located at 525 Resort Drive near Disc Golf Course and Grindstone Lake.
From pristine high-mountain lakes and streams to sparkling reservoirs and meandering rivers, discover the best places to cast a line in Ruidoso.
Climb Sierra Blanca, hike through alpine meadows, alongside the Rio Ruidoso, explore a forest on horseback? You decide! Thanks to over a million acres of National Forest and wilderness areas, virtually every corner of Ruidoso is waiting to be discovered. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails are plentiful.
"The climb to Grindstone Mesa can be painful, but the payoff is anything but: Views of Sierra Blanca and surrounding mountains are spectacular." — AAA NEW MEXICO JOURNEY magazine
SEE GRINDSTONE LAKE IN ACTION
DISCOVER UPCOMING EVENTS AT GRINDSTONE LAKE
Experience the thrill of XTERRA Ruidoso from August 15-17, 2025! Set against the breathtaking Grindstone Lake, this event features full and sprint triathlons, a scenic 10K trail run, and a kids’ race—all designed for athletes and outdoor lovers alike. This event welcomes athletes, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to the lush trails of Grindstone Lake, promising adventure for all.
With courses at Grindstone Lake and Ski Apache, add disc golf to your list of fun things to do in Ruidoso. Better yet, bring your own disc and it’s free fun for the whole family.