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

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Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake (Seasonal, Summer only).
Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake (Seasonal, Summer only).

HEAD’S UP, SUMMER VISITORS! 2025 Wibit Water Park Opening Delayed Due to Low Water Levels: The Ruidoso Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake will not open as planned due to low water levels. Conditions will be re-evaluated mid-June to determine if the park can be set up later this summer. We appreciate your patience and will share updates as soon as they become available.

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Disc Golf in Ruidoso
Disc Golf in Ruidoso

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.

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Boat Rentals at Grindstone Lake (Seasonal, Summer Only)
Boat Rentals at Grindstone Lake (Seasonal, Summer Only)

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.

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Grindstone Lake Campground (CLOSED INDEFINITELY)
Grindstone Lake Campground (CLOSED INDEFINITELY)

Grindstone Lake Campground remains CLOSED for the summer 2023 season.

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Discover Ruidoso’s newest access point to Grindstone Lake and Trails
Discover Ruidoso’s newest access point to Grindstone Lake and Trails

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.

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Enjoy an At-Home View of Grindstone Lake via Live HD Streaming Webcam
Enjoy an At-Home View of Grindstone Lake via Live HD Streaming Webcam

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.

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Low -Season at Grindstone: All the fun without the summer bustle.
Low -Season at Grindstone: All the fun without the summer bustle.

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.

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Best Places To Fish In Ruidoso
Best Places To Fish In Ruidoso

From pristine high-mountain lakes and streams to sparkling reservoirs and meandering rivers, discover the best places to cast a line in Ruidoso.

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RUIDOSO TRAILS: Where To Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride in Ruidoso
RUIDOSO TRAILS: Where To Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride 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.

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IN THE PRESS: Grindstone Trail System
IN THE PRESS: Grindstone Trail System

"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

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SEE GRINDSTONE LAKE IN ACTION

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Video - Mountain bike ride at Grindstone Lake Trail - Ruidoso, New Mexico
Video - Mountain Biking Grindstone Lake Ruidoso, NM

Grindstone Lake trail system in Ruidoso, NM consist of roughly 8-12 miles of beautiful single track mountain biking! Climbing is slow and gradual nothing technical on the shorter 8 mile section.

Video - Grindstone Lake, Drone Video, Ruidoso
Video: Sailing at Grindstone Lake, Ruidoso, NM
VIDEO: Hiking Grindstone Canyon in Ruidoso, New Mexico

A short video of last weekend's trip to Ruidoso, New Mexico in which we hiked along Grindstone Trail. 🗺🌲🌳🌲
The Sweetest Journey

DISCOVER UPCOMING EVENTS AT GRINDSTONE LAKE

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2nd Annual John Ashcraft Memorial Family Trail Run at Grindstone Lake
Apr 26
2nd Annual John Ashcraft Memorial Family Trail Run at Grindstone Lake

On April 26, 2025, the Ruidoso community will come together at Grindstone Lake for the 2nd Annual John Ashcraft Memorial Family Trail Run. This scenic 2-mile run honors John Ashcraft’s legacy and supports a local scholarship for graduating seniors. Entry is $30. Sign up at https://bit.ly/2025AshcraftRun or donate at cfolc.org to make a lasting impact.

XTERRA Ruidoso: Ultimate Off-Road Adventure
Aug 15
XTERRA Ruidoso: Ultimate Off-Road Adventure

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.

Ruidoso Grindstone Trails Runs (4M; 8.5M and 13.8M)
Aug 23
Ruidoso Grindstone Trails Runs (4M; 8.5M and 13.8M)

Join the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs at Wingfield Park on August 23, 2025. Celebrate the 11th anniversary with a Half Marathon Heavy (13.8 miles), 8.5 miles, and 4 miles. Events start at 7:00 AM. Proceeds benefit All-Season Adaptive Sports. Top finishers qualify for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. Enjoy commemorative swag, cake, and a post-race party. Register now!