Bottomless Lakes State Park
Bottomless Lakes State Park: New Mexico’s First State Park and Desert Cenote Wonderland
Fifteen miles southeast of Roswell, the Chihuahuan Desert holds an impossible secret: a chain of nine deep, jewel-blue sinkholes filled with crystal-clear groundwater. These are the Bottomless Lakes, New Mexico’s oldest state park (established 1933) and one of the most geologically bizarre landscapes in the American Southwest. The lakes aren’t really bottomless, of course — but when cowboys first tossed weighted ropes into the deepest pools and the weights never seemed to reach bottom, the name stuck.
These aren’t ordinary lakes. They are cenotes — collapsed sinkholes formed over millennia as groundwater dissolved underground gypsum deposits, creating caverns that eventually caved in. The result is a string of pools ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep, their waters glowing an otherworldly blue-green against the surrounding red bluffs and desert scrub. It’s a landscape that feels more like Mexico’s Yucatán than eastern New Mexico.
Park Facts at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | 15 mi SE of Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico |
| 📐 Park Size | 1,400+ acres |
| 💧 Lakes | 9 sinkhole cenotes (17-90 ft deep) |
| 🏊 Swimming | Lea Lake only (lifeguards in summer) |
| 🤿 Scuba Diving | Lea Lake — up to 90 ft depth |
| 🛶 Paddling | Non-motorized boats on Lea Lake |
| 🥾 Trails | Multiple desert trails + wetlands boardwalk |
| 🏕️ Camping | Tent + RV sites with electric hookups |
| 💰 Day Use Fee | $5/vehicle |
| 📞 Phone | (575) 624-6058 |
The Nine Lakes: How Cenotes Form in the Desert
The Bottomless Lakes formed through a process called suffosion. Groundwater flowing through underground gypsum deposits slowly dissolved the rock, creating caverns beneath the surface. When the cavern roofs grew too thin to support the weight above, they collapsed — forming bowl-shaped sinkholes that filled with crystalline groundwater from the same aquifer.
The Nine Sinkhole Lakes
| Lake | Depth | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lea Lake | 90 ft | Swimming, scuba, paddling — the main recreation lake |
| Lazy Lagoon | 90 ft | Deepest alongside Lea Lake, scenic overlook |
| Mirror Lake | ~30 ft | Still, reflective surface surrounded by red bluffs |
| Devil’s Inkwell | ~30 ft | Smallest and most dramatic cenote |
| Figure Eight Lake | ~25 ft | Named for its hourglass shape |
| Pasture Lake | ~17 ft | Shallowest of the nine |
| Lost Lake | ~20 ft | Secluded, off main trail |
| Cottonwood Lake | ~25 ft | Named for surrounding cottonwood trees |
| Dimmitt Lake | ~20 ft | Quiet, less visited |
Lea Lake: Swimming, Scuba Diving and Paddling
Lea Lake is the only lake where swimming is permitted, and it’s magnificent. A sandy beach slopes into water that turns from pale turquoise in the shallows to deep sapphire blue toward the center, where the cenote drops to 90 feet. Scuba diving is popular here — divers can explore the full 90-foot depth with visibility ranging 5-20 feet depending on conditions. Non-motorized boats including kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are allowed.
Hiking Trails
| Trail | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Bluff Trails (Red Bluff East/West) | 1-2 mi | Dramatic red bluff overlooks above the lakes |
| Wetlands Boardwalk | 0.5 mi | Boardwalk through desert wetland ecosystem |
| Lea Lake Foot Trail | 1 mi | Loop around Lea Lake shoreline |
| Desert Uplands Loop | 2 mi | Desert scrub, Chihuahuan ecosystem |
| Lazy Lagoon Path | 0.5 mi | Access to the park’s deepest cenote |
| Skidmarks Trail | Varies | Mountain biking + hiking through desert |
Camping
Bottomless Lakes offers both tent and RV camping with electric hookups at select sites. The campground sits near Lea Lake, providing easy access to swimming and paddling. Fall and spring are ideal camping seasons — summers can exceed 100°F, while winters are cool and clear with exceptional dark sky stargazing (the park’s remote location means virtually zero light pollution).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bottomless Lakes really bottomless?
No — the name comes from cowboys in the 1800s who tried to measure the depth by dropping weighted ropes. The weights were pushed sideways by underwater currents, and the ropes never seemed to go taut, leading to the “bottomless” legend. The deepest lakes (Lea Lake and Lazy Lagoon) reach about 90 feet. The lakes are actually cenotes — sinkholes formed by dissolved gypsum deposits.
Can you scuba dive at Bottomless Lakes?
Yes! Scuba diving is permitted in Lea Lake, which reaches 90 feet deep. Shore entry from the beach makes access easy. Visibility ranges from 5-20 feet depending on weather and season. Water temperature drops significantly below the thermocline. While no on-site certification checks are required, proper open water dive certification is strongly recommended. The nearest dive shops are in Roswell.
Which lake can you swim in at Bottomless Lakes?
Only Lea Lake is open for swimming. It has a sandy beach and a designated swim area with lifeguards on duty during summer months. The water is refreshingly cool even in summer. Non-motorized boats (kayaks, canoes, SUPs) are also permitted on Lea Lake. The other eight lakes are available for viewing and fishing only.
Why are the lakes blue-green?
The stunning blue-green color comes from a combination of the extreme depth, clarity of the groundwater, and aquatic plants and algae growing in the cenotes. Minerals dissolved from the surrounding gypsum deposits also contribute to the coloration. The color is most vivid on sunny days when the sunlight penetrates deeply into the clear water.
