Bottomless Lakes State Park

Bottomless Lakes is a protected area with natural sinkholes in Roswell, New Mexico. These sinkholes form water pools with turquoise and greenish shimmer in the desert landscape, surrounded by rocky shores and trails along the slopes.

The site opened in 1933 as the first park in New Mexico and was meant to offer visitors relief in the dry plains. Before that, the land had been used by ranchers who found water for their herds in the sinkholes.

The name comes from settlers who could not see the bottom in the clear pools and believed them immeasurably deep. These lakes are now visited by locals for swimming and picnicking, especially on hot summer weekends.

Trails and viewpoints connect the individual pools so you can visit several in one day. On hot days shaded spots are scarce, so an early or late visit helps you avoid the heat.

Despite the name, the deepest points only reach about 90 feet (27 m), which is easily grasped by swimmers and divers. The water color comes from minerals and underground inflows that tint each pool differently.

Location: New Mexico

Inception: 1933

Website: https://emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/bottomless-lakes-state-park

GPS coordinates: 33.31920,-104.33200

Latest update: December 20, 2025 01:50