El Vado Lake is a reservoir located in Rio Arriba County, in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States.

The area was formerly part of the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant.

[1] The eastern shore of the lake is the El Vado Lake State Park, featuring over 100 camping and picnic sites, and two improved boat ramps.

Unlike nearby Heron Lake, boat speeds are not restricted.

A 5.5-mile (8.9 km) hiking trail runs to the north, crosses the Rio Chama Gorge via a pedestrian suspension bridge, and then connects to the Heron Lake State Park.