Actually several small lakes bordered by high red bluffs, Bottomless Lakes State Park offers a variety of activities including hiking, swimming, fishing and scuba diving.

The lakes are water filled sinkholes in the local gypsum terrain. Odd geology and water chemistry create homes for unusual plants and animals, like the Pecos sunflower.

Are the Lakes Really Bottomless? 
The lakes' greenish-blue color creates the illusion that the lakes are bottomless.  Cowboys added to the lake's mystique when they failed to find the bottom of the lakes by tying their saddle ropes together.  In fact, they range in depth from 17 ft. to 90 ft. 

First of Its Kind
In 1933 the Bottomless Lakes area was set aside as New Mexico's first state park.

Lake Highlights
Lea Lake is the deepest lake at 90 feet and is the only lake where swimming is allowed. During summer, visitors can rent paddleboards and pedal boats for a small fee. Devil's Inkwell is 32 ft. deep and is named for its steep sides and dark water, the result of algae growth. This lake, as well as Cottonwood Lake, are stocked with rainbow trout in winter.

The Outdoor Classroom @ Bottomless Lakes
	Teachers now have more reason to consider a field trip to Bottomless Lakes State Park. The "Bitter Water, Bottomless Lakes" (BWBL) curriculum offers 4th and 5th grade teachers several field trip and classroom activities tied to New Mexico science standards. Lessons include habitat, geology, adaptations, and water quality. Click HERE for the BWBL page.
Park Superintendent Steve patterson leads 5th graders from Berrendo Elementary School in Roswell in an exploration of water quality using aquatic insects.

Getting There
From Roswell, head east on US 380 for 12 miles and then south on NM 409 for three miles.

          Park Map

Camping Reservation Site Map

    Park Brochure

    Park Management Plan

Park Photo Tour

    Fast Facts

          Gate Hours
24 hours. Lea Lake Campground/Day Use Area locked at 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. during summer months.

         Park Manager
         Joe Kasuboski
          (575) 624-6058
     FAX: (575) 624-6029
joe.kasuboski@state.nm.us
             Address
       HC 12, Box 1200
      Roswell, NM 88201

               Land
          1,400 Acres

         Lake Surface
             45 Acres

            Elevation
            3,500 feet

          Precipitation
           12.2 inches

         Temperature
         January  56/29
         April       77/51
         July        92/68
         October  74/46

Current Fire Restrictions