Back in the mid-sixty’s I was stationed at Walker Air Force Base near Roswell, New Mexico, and we made many trips out to Bottomless Lakes State Park to swim and enjoy the desert outdoors.

The lakes have a high road that winds around the top of the mesa on East Side and a low road that gives you access to the waterline of most of the lakes.  In fact at one time the Can-Am race circut used to use the 2.5 mile road around the lake as a race track.

The lakes are actually water filled sinkholes in the local gypsum terrain. Odd geology and water chemistry create homes for unusual plants and animals, like the Pecos sunflower, Gila Monsters and plenty of quail & snakes.

The number of RVing facilities is limited, but you can still enjoy your Motor Home, 5th Wheel, Travel Trailer or Turck camper at this New Mexico State Park.  The Bottomless Lake State Park provides 32 campsites for full hook-up and another 32 that are developed campsites. Drinking water, restrooms, and picnic areas are also provided.

First let me say that the lakes are not really bottomless.  The greenish-blue color of the water creates the illusion that the lakes are bottomless.  But back a long time ago cowboys added to the lake's mystique when they failed to find the bottom of the lakes by tying their saddle ropes together with a big rock at the end.  In fact, the Bottomless Lakes range in depth from 17 ft. to 90 ft. 

They are the first of their kind, because in 1933 the Bottomless Lakes area was set aside as New Mexico'sfirst state park.

Lea Lake is the deepest lake at 90 feet and is the only lake where swimming is allowed. But if you’re planning on swimming in Lea Lake you might want to bring a wet suit!  Even in July, the lakes are pretty cold, but many visitors scuba dive due to the clear water.   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 Pasture Lake, is stocked with rainbow trout in winter.

To get to this unique New Mexico State Park, from Roswell, head east on US 380 for 12 miles, then south on NM 409 for 3 miles.  It’s very well marked so you shouldn’t have any trouble find it.  So the next time you are thinking about a short RV trip from Albuquerque, consider Bottomless Lakes State Park.