Deer Lake Estates

Lake Estates Deer Lake Estates is a small community located at the upper end of Senorito Canyon in the Nacimiento Mountain chain on the western side of the Jemez Mountains along State Highway 126 east of Cuba, NM. The majority of Deer Lake Estates is located in Sandoval County, with a small portion located just across the county line in Rio Arriba County. The elevation of Deer Lake is approximately 8,500 feet. Eureka Mesa is to the north of Deer Lake Estates, and Bluebird Mesa is located to the south. On the eastern edge of Deer Lake Estates is Senorito divide, which is the western boundary of the Rio de las Vacas watershed. The community of Deer Lake Estates is comprised of a mixture of full time residences, vacation homes and unimproved land.

History of Deer Lake Estates

Deer Lake Estates was formed from the Eureka Ranch by the G&H Land Company in 1961. It includes 178 residential lots, varying in size from one-half acre to a little over one acre. Until the mid-1970s, State Highway 126 (then a dirt road used primarily by logging trucks) ran through the middle of Deer Lake Estates. When State Highway 126 was paved from Cuba to the summit of Senorito divide, the location of the highway was moved to the south side of Senorito Canyon, and access to Deer Lake Estates was relocated to mile marker nine, with the entry being across the dam forming Deer Lake.

Deer Lake Association

The interests of Deer Lake Estates property owners are represented by Deer Lake Association. Deer Lake Association was formed at the time Deer Lake Estates was created. Routine administrative matters and day-to-day operations are handled by a five-person board of directors.