Upper Thumb Rock Picnic Area

There are actually two Thumb Rock Picnic Areas, upper and lower. Both of them are located within a few steps of Peña Blanca Lake. Upper Thumb Rock is situated on a low hill overlooking this 49-acre body of water that provides year-round fishing for bass, catfish, bluegill and sunfish, and in cooler weather, for stocked trout. Lower Thumb Rock is located along a seasonal stream that flows into the lake at the base of the hill topped by Upper Thumb Rock. A set of stone steps leads down to the shore from Upper Thumb Rock, which is the more open of the two areas. Lower Thumb Rock is more sheltered than its hilltop neighbor and provides access to the lake via a short trail that is barrier-free. The public boat launching ramp is only a short distance away as well. Though these two lakeside picnic areas are open year-round, the 4,000 foot elevation of the area means the weather can be quite cool here during the winter and early spring. That may come as a surprise since the Mexican Border is only a few miles away. But cool weather makes the trout fishing better, and since the area is so much less crowded when it is cool, that may be the best time to visit.