Navajo Lake State Park is situated amid the San Juan River Canyon lands which is covered by Pinon and Juniper woodlands. The San Juan River itself has lush cottonwood bosques. The general park area was first occupied by the ancestors of today's Pueblo and Navajo peoples. Navajo Lake State Park was established in 1962 when the U.S Bureau of Reclamation completed Navajo Dam. The dam is one of the largest earthen dam structures built by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the United States. Navajo Lake backs up water on the San Juan River and the Pine River. When the lake is full it contains 15,610 acres of surface water. The park attracts nearly 500,000 visitors a year.

The Pine visitor center was built by the National Park Service in 1965 as part of its nationally significant Mission 66 program, and is the only Mission 66 building at a New Mexico state park. Remodeled in 2016, interpretative exhibits are available inside the visitor center. The Sims Recreation Area at the lake contains three original Mission 66 group picnic shelters.

Navajo Lake is the second largest lake in the state, with multiple campgrounds, two marinas, and two boat docks. Navajo Lake is a haven for boaters including motorized boat, canoes, kayaks, and sail boats. The lake offers excellent conditions for water skiing. In addition to boating the lake offers some of the best fishing, hiking, and camping in New Mexico. The San Juan River is a world-class fly fishing destination and features a campground, day use areas and a serene trail along the river.
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.