Bottomless Lakes State Park, State park with natural lakes in Roswell, United States

Bottomless Lakes State Park lies about 15 miles southeast of Roswell along the eastern escarpment of the Pecos River valley. Its nine small lakes sit in sinkholes dissolved in the gypsum-rich Seven Rivers Formation, where water from the San Andres aquifer rises along faults. Most are nearly ringed by cliffs; Lea Lake has a sandy western shore, and Lazy Lagoon, the largest at about 26.1 acres, fills a former river channel.

Bottomless Lakes State Park was established in 1933 as the first state park in New Mexico. The lakes lie at the base of an escarpment of the gypsum-rich Seven Rivers Formation, where groundwater from the San Andres artesian aquifer rises along faults and dissolves the gypsum, forming sinkholes or cenotes. The southernmost lake, Dimmitt Lake, is not part of the park and belongs to the Fin and Feather Club, a local hunting and fishing club.

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.