Bottomless Lakes State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Nestled amid the rugged and captivating landscapes of southwestern New Mexico, Bottomless Lakes State Park beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts with its enchanting allure. It features a unique and beautiful terrain characterized by distinctive geological formations and stunning bodies of water. Indigenous peoples, including the Mescalero Apache, lived in the region for generations, relying on the land's resources for sustenance. The sinkhole lakes in the park became known as "bottomless lakes" due to their seemingly endless depths. While Bottomless Lakes State Park is a unique and captivating destination in its own right, there are other nearby places of interest and attractions, such as Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. Nearby Cities: • Roswell, NM • Ruidoso, NM • Carlsbad, NM • Artesia, NM
Spring 42-77 F
Summer 63-92 F
Fall 44-75 F
Winter 23-57 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Bottomless Lakes State Park
Lea Lake Campground • Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: Yes • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 40 feet • Other Amenities: Portable water, picnic table, grills, fire ring
Bottom Lakes State Park Campground
The park’s Lea Lake Campground offers 32 RV campsites with partial and full hook-ups — all within sight of the beautiful Lea Lake. With modern restrooms, WiFi, and a snack bar, you will have all you need to recharge after a full day exploring the park. Sites are popular, so reserve in advance! Rates are $14-18 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, playground, volleyball courts, nature trails, swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, dumping station
Red Barn RV Park
Surrounded by alfalfa fields and farmlands, the park has a country feel despite its proximity to Roswell. These well-maintained grounds have 14 RV campsites with full hookups, plus friendly customer service. Go for a walk in the fields, play dominoes in the rec room, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. Rates are $30 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, laundromat, cable TV, recreation room, camp store, pool
What to Do at
Bottomless Lakes State Park
Bottomless Lakes State Park has numerous picnic areas and shelters. These spots offer a great place for guests to unwind and enjoy a meal as they take in the picturesque views of the lakes and surrounding landscape. The unique geological formations and striking blue lakes provide endless opportunities for photography enthusiasts to capture the park's scenic beauty. Bottomless Lakes State Park also features hiking trails that wind through the desert terrain, allowing guests to take nature walks as they explore the area. The trails vary in length and difficulty, making them suitable for hikers of all levels.
Inside Bottomless Lakes State Park
Thousands of visitors come to Bottomless Lakes State Park each year, attracted by the shimmering blue-green lakes and rocky desert landscape. Visitors enjoy playing on the beach, lounging in the sun, and swimming and boating on Lea Lake. From November to March, anglers can fish for rainbow trout at Devil’s Inkwell and Cottonwood Lake. Around the lakes, visitors can also hike and mountain bike along the desert trails and watch for different species of native and migratory birds.
Here are more details on the park’s most popular activities:
Hiking and Mountain Biking - Skidmarks Trial is a popular 3-mile trail for mountain biking featuring well-planned drops and twisting turns. The shorter Bluff Trail and Wetlands Trail are ideal for quick hikes that showcase the park’s unique geology. With over 500 species of birds, the park has some of the state’s best birdwatching, so try to spot roadrunners, pelicans, and other birds while on the trails!
Boating and Swimming - Lea Lake is the only lake that allows swimming and boating at the park. Splash around the lake’s stunning blue waters or lounge on the sandy beachfront. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty and rentals are available for paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats.
Scuba Diving - Plummeting to depths of 90 feet, Lea Lake offers excellent scuba diving opportunities. Divers can spot endangered fish like the Pecos pupfish and Mexican Tetra or see ‘Mecca,’ a series of freshwater springs that produce over 9 million gallons of water each day, creating near perfect visibility for underwater exploration.
Tetra or see ‘Mecca,’ a series of freshwater springs that produce over 9 million gallons of water each day, creating near perfect visibility for underwater exploration.
Fishing
The lakes in Bottomless Lakes State Park are stocked with various fish species, including the Pecos pupfish and the rainwater killifish. Anglers can cast their fishing lines from the shore or boats.
Stargazing
Bottomless Lakes State Park's remote location makes it an ideal spot for stargazing. You can enjoy breathtaking night sky views and celestial wonders on clear nights.
Flora and Fauna
Bottomless Lakes State Park has various species of cacti, including prickly pear cactus and cholla cactus. Mesquite trees and shrubs also grow in the park. Their pods provide food for various wildlife species. Bottomless Lakes State Park is also home to various bird species, making it a prime location for bird watching. Bring your binoculars and look for migratory birds, waterfowl, and other avian species. You can also expect to spot wild animals like rabbits, deer, and various reptiles and insects in the park's desert environment.
Boating
Visitors can bring non-motorized boats, paddleboards, and kayaks to explore the serene lakes in Bottomless Lakes State Park. The calm waters make for an enjoyable boating experience and are an excellent way to enjoy the picturesque surroundings.
Swimming
Bottomless Lakes State Park's sinkhole lakes, such as Lea Lake and Lazy Lagoon, feature clear, cool waters that provide a refreshing way to beat the heat during the summer months.
Biking
Bottomless Lakes State Park does not have dedicated mountain biking trails, but it does have a network of multi-use trails and unpaved roads that can be suitable for biking. These trails wind through the desert terrain and offer a chance to explore the park's natural beauty on two wheels.
How to Get to
Bottomless Lakes State Park
To get to Bottomless Lakes State Park from Albuquerque, take I-40 and drive east for approximately 55 miles to exit 218. Afterward, turn onto US-285 and drive south for about 140 miles to reach Roswell. Take US-380 and travel east for about 12 miles, and then take NM-409 and drive south for 3 miles to reach the park's entrance.
Entering Bottomless Lakes State Park
If you intend to camp at one of the park's campgrounds, ample parking spaces are available. For instance, the park's RV campsites typically have parking pads for safe parking. However, it is worth noting that you may be required to pay a day-use fee to enter the park. This fee often covers parking, access to amenities, and recreational facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bottomless Lakes State Park
If you enjoy swimming and water activities, summer is the best season. For hiking and birdwatching, spring and fall are more temperate and ideal.
Bottomless Lakes State Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with numerous bird species inhabiting or passing through the area, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors. Although the desert environment can be challenging for larger mammals, you may still encounter smaller animals like cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, and ground squirrels. Occasionally, visitors may spot deer and coyotes in the park's more secluded areas.
Bottomless Lakes State Park features an RV campground with sites equipped with electric and water hookups. These sites are designed to accommodate RVs of various sizes, including Class A motorhomes and travel trailers. It's advisable to make reservations for RV campsites, especially during peak camping seasons and weekends, as the park can be crowded and parking spaces may fill up quickly.
While reservations may not be mandatory, they are advisable to secure your campsite, especially during weekends and holidays. Reservations can be made online through the New Mexico State Parks reservation system. Camping fees typically include a nightly fee for the campsite and a separate day-use fee for daytime access to the park. Rates for an RV spot range from $14-18 per night.
Yes, pets are allowed at Bottomless Lakes State Park. However, dogs and other pets must always be kept on a leash. This helps ensure the safety of the local wildlife, other visitors, and pets.
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