Bottomless Lakes State Park — Attraction in New Mexico

Another Majestic Area of New Mexico!!

I have to say, this is a magical place, please take your time to take it all in. I was in Roswell for a few hours and had a long drive to Odessa. I had always wanted to visit these lakes and finally, I had a few hours left before the sun went down. The Bottomless Lakes State Park is only about 20 miles from Roswell and easy to get to as there are signs everywhere. The scenery is very picturesque and you will find, desert, hills, mountains, that red rock that defines the Southwest, cliffs, and blue blue sky.

My first stop was the Lazy Lagoon a slowly evaporating body of water, still nice to look at but seemed a little too muddy to take the time to go down the hill and check it out. It is still a very nice photo op if that's your thing. My second stop was the first of the actual Bottomless Lakes this one was called Cottonwood Lake. There are parking and campgrounds at all the lakes, some with facilities, but mostly rough camping at the smaller lakes. Cottonwood lake is carved out in the rocks and surrounded by rocky cliffs, be careful, if you want to swim you will need ropes and please use the buddy system as the lake is deep and its in a rocky depression in the ground. It is still a very really nice area to relax walk around and take photos of. Next up was Mirror Lake which is one lake with two sides separated by a sand bar. This lake is a little bigger than Cottonwood Lake and easier to walk around in. One side is flatter and the other side surrounded by rocky cliffs. The next lake was Inkwell lake, near the Devils inkwell campground. this lake is very small and it's literally a hole in the ground surrounded by cliffs, and it's hard to get to the water itself. Be careful here as it could be dangerous if you fall in (I almost did).

The next lake was Figure 8 Lake, like Mirror Lake its two lakes separated by a rocky causeway. A little bigger than Mirror lake and the water is easy to get to. This one I actually walked into a little on both sides, but be wary they have slippery clay bottoms. By the time I reached the 6th lake, Pasture Lake, it was stiflingly hot and the sun had eaten through my sunscreen which I had applied quite liberally, but nonetheless I was starting to get a serious sunburn. Pasture Lake was the last stop on my tour. Lost lake will have to wait for my next trip. Pasture lake is a small and shallow lake surround by sand and wild grasses, hence the name.

Lea Lake, the last Lake in the park is the largest of all the lakes. This is the big one with boating, swimming, a larger camping/RV area, where you can rent paddleboards and pedal boats. I went up to the hilltop and got some great views of the lake there. The trip was great if it wasn't for the massive sunburn I would have stayed a bit longer, but I had a long drive to Odessa and I had to get out of the sun. This is a really unique area of New Mexico, and you can spend a few hours or a few days there. It is worth the effort...

Legend of the Lochness Pad So one day, I was in the water near the dock, just minding my own business when suddenly I felt something brush against my arm. My blood ran cold but I chalked it up to the aquatic grass that resides within the lake's murky sands. I continued about my business, splashing in the water, enjoying the day to it's fullest and that's when it happened. Something brushed my leg this time and fear took over my body. I stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do. After a minute or two, I mustered up the courage, plunged my arm down into the cold water and blindly grabbed at something, anything, just wanting answers. My mind was racing. "Was is a fish?" "Was it a turtle?" "Was it a snake?" "Was it just grass?" As soon as I felt what struck fear deep into my soul, I grabbed and I yanked as hard as I could, releasing the object from its watery prison. It wasn't going to get away, not this time, and that's when I saw it. A used pad. I recoiled, nearly jumping out of my skin in disgust. The horror of touching such a vile thing forever engrained into my very being even to this day.

Don't wear pads in the water you freaks.

The day use pass is $5 and the annual day use pass price is only $40.

Dogs are allowed, you just need to clean up after them.

Glass containers, alcohol, open fires, fireworks are not permitted.

There are outdoor showers but I'm not sure if they're on yet.

Bathroom is closed at this time of the year

It's usually empty as the water is too cold to swim in at this time of year. (Like an ice bath)

There are wasps building nests in the table areas, so be wary. They left us alone when we went a few days ago, but still be cautious especially if you have allergies.

It gets VERY crowded during the summer at around 12-5 so I would advise you to go in the morning to beat the crowd. :)

They have paddle boats that you can rent and use. Not sure what the prices are.

You can take your own boards, kayaks, and scuba gear to the other side of the buoys.

You also have the option to camp along the lake, you just have to pay for a separate permit in order to do so.

There is an RV park that has its own permit and price for use.

The only times that there are life guards on duty is during the summer, but even then, they are far and few between so keep an eye on your kids.

There are fish in the water, but fishing is not permitted. There are other lakes in the area such as the Devil's Inkwell that you can fish in, just be careful as there can be/are strong currents in those bodies of water (or...

My husband and I visited Bottomless Lakes State Park in the first week of March, so few people were there. The weather was perfect, and we basically had the trails to ourselves. Before walking, though, we went to the visitors center where we met the friendliest gentleman who helped us with information about passes and camping and swimming information. The visitors center has a nice selection of books for those who want more information about the area. Also in the center are information boards about the local wildlife and vegetation and interesting models of the lakes and salt content of the water. Pit toilets are located at every stop, and they are maintained well. The swimming area is wonderful!!!! The water is so clear, and the structures on the beach provide perfect protection from the sun. Many picnic tables line the semicircular stone shelter, so it seems that everyone's lunch accommodations have been considered. The campground is right next to the swimming area, and outdoor showers and bathrooms(running water) are very conveniently located just outside the swimming area. On the west side next to the largevplay area are put toilets that are always well kept.

The water around the perimeter is shallow for a good distance, so it is family-friendly. The marked-off area is the most shallow, and it is easy to keep an eye on your family from the side.

Even in the cooler months, visitors have access to toilets, playgrounds, and covered picnic areas. Most days are sunny, so even if you just want to experience clean air, sunshine, and walking along the edge, you can do this 99 percent of the time here!

In the summertime, the best time to visit the lake is in the morning. 😃 in order to access one of the 11 private covered picnic areas on the west side, you will need to arrive very close to 9 AM when they open the gate to that area. Those covered areas have individual accesses to the water, and they are very shallow, meaning that they are very accessible for dogs and well-observed children with life vests. These covered areas are also the closest to the playground. They are dog-friendly, but bring a leash and do NOT allow your dog into other people's spaces.

This park is New Mexico's first state park, and it is surely a treasure. When we visit, we are always so...