State Parks - Roswell New Mexico


	State Parks

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

PO Box 7
(575) 622-6755
steve_alvarez@fws.gov

Map

24,520 acres on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert changing to grass and shrub community. Refuge is located about nine miles northeast of Roswell. Take U.S. 380 (Second Street) east about three miles to a refuge sign at Red Bridge Rd. or take U.S. 285 (Main St.) north to Pine Lodge Rd. From the turnoff, it is about seven miles to refuge headquarters, following directional signs.

Restroom facilities are available at the headquarters office during open hours and are also available on the wildlife drive.

Visitors will enjoy Wildlife observation, photography, self-guided auto tour, picnicking, hiking, hunting (contact Refuge for regulations), biking and guided tours to observe endangered species (these tours take visitors into areas normally closed to the public to be shown some of the unique sinkholes and springs protected by the Refuge). Reservations required.

Annual Dragonfly Festival is in the fall.

Bottomless Lakes State Park

HC 12, Box 1200
(575) 624-6058
SPatterson@state.nm.us

Map

Price:

100% disabled Veterans   Free
Day Use:
Per Vehicle                   $5
Bicycle Walk-In           Free
Bus                              $15
Overnight Camping:
Primitive Site                $8
Developed Site $10
Electrical Hookup         $4
Sewage Hookup           $4
Water hookup              Free
Annual New Mexico Camping Permits
Valid for one year from date of purchase
New Mexico Resident              $180

Bottomless Lakes was New Mexico’s first designated State Park dedicated in 1933. Located twelve miles east of Roswell on U.S. Highway 380, then seven miles south on NM Highway 409. Elevation is 3,500 feet and the park encompasses 1,400 acres. There are seven small park lakes bordered by high red bluffs and are bottomless in name only. The lakes’ greenish-blue color creates the illusion that the lakes are bottomless ranging in depth from 17 feet to 90 feet. In reality, they are sink holes rather than lakes and were formed when circulating underground water dissolved salt and gypsum deposits to form subterranean caverns. In due course, the roofs of the caverns collapsed from their own weight to form the sink holes that soon filled up with water. Visitors will delight in a variety of recreational activities including swimming (Lea Lake only), scuba diving, boating/sailing, fishing, hiking, bird watching, a scenic overlook, mountain biking and picnicking. There are 32 developed campsites with electric and water and hook-ups, plus an additional 32 developed campsites without hook-ups. Pets are welcome, some restrictions apply. Keep Bottomless Lakes beautiful do not liter. Bottomless Lakes State Park is open 24 hours a day year round. Lea Lake Gates open 6am to 9pm. Lifeguards on duty Memorial Day – Labor Day, 9am – 6pm. Stop at the parks Interpretive Center for detailed information, guidelines and restrictions.

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