A nice state park for a couple of day layover. We got a great site overlooking Lea Lake.
Bottomless Lake State Park: Site #27, this site has water & electric, dump station available, 69 sites, 3,500 foot elevation. March 1st - 3rd.
Overall Experience:
We timed our route over the Sacramento Mountains from Oliver Lee Memorial SP to avoid both wind and snow at the higher elevations. After passing through Ruidoso, NM, and dropping down east of the mountains, we noticed a gradual increase of accumulated snow on the ground and thought, "What what we getting into?".
During our stay at Bottomless Lakes State Park, it was cold and windy, so we mostly held up in the RV. It would have been fun to explore the area, but we chose to stay dry and warm.
Bottomless Lakes SP consists of nine small, deep lakes located along the eastern escarpment of the Pecos River valley. Lazy Lagoon is the largest of the lakes and is actually made up from three sinkholes. The campground is located on Lea Lake and is the only one that permits swimming.
Just 14 miles southeast of the famous town of Roswell, New Mexico lies Bottomless Lakes State Park - a true oasis in the desert. This unique state park is home to a series of nine small, deep lakes that have long captivated the imaginations of visitors.
The park's name comes from the belief that these lakes have no bottom, hence the moniker "Bottomless Lakes". While this is not entirely accurate - the lakes do in fact have a finite depth - their sheer depth and crystal-clear waters have certainly contributed to this enduring legend.
Established in 1933, Bottomless Lakes State Park was the first state park in New Mexico. The lakes themselves were formed millions of years ago when the ground collapsed, creating the distinctive sinkholes that now make up the park. Today, these lakes offer a peaceful respite from the surrounding desert landscape, drawing visitors who come to enjoy a variety of recreational activities.
Outdoor Activities at Bottomless Lakes State Park
- Boating, kayaking, and canoeing are popular on the lakes, which are open to non-motorized watercraft.
- The park also offers excellent opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and camping, with several campsites located right along the lakeshore.
Of course, no visit to Bottomless Lakes State Park would be complete without exploring the legends and mysteries that surround the area. Tales of strange creatures lurking in the depths, unexplained disappearances, and even UFO sightings have long captivated the public's imagination.
Exploring Roswell: The Alien Connection
Just a short drive from the park, the town of Roswell is equally famous for its own mysterious past. As the site of the alleged 1947 UFO crash, Roswell has become a mecca for those interested in extraterrestrial life and the unexplained. The International UFO Museum and Research Center in downtown Roswell is a must-visit for anyone exploring the area's rich history of alien encounters and conspiracy theories.
