Bottomless Lakes State Park in New Mexico, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-30. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bottomless Lakes State Park near Roswell, New Mexico, is a landscape of water-filled sinkholes, short walking routes and picnic shelters. The lakes are not bottomless: the state lists depths from 17 to 90 feet. For a day visit, combine a short trail with the historic Lea Lake pavilion area.

Sinkholes, a bluff trail and a historic pavilion

Choose the 0.86-mile Bluff Trail or the 0.54-mile Wetlands Trail for a shorter outing. Lea Lake’s day-use area has picnic shelters and the historic pavilion. Do not confuse this recreation area with a fishing spot: fishing is prohibited at Lea Lake and its day-use area.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Supervise children near the water

The state recommends adult supervision and life jackets for children near shorelines. Swimming is at the swimmer’s own risk and is prohibited within 150 feet of marinas, piers, docks, ramps and dams, or where otherwise posted. Check the state safety rules before adding a water activity to a walking visit.

Leave the drone behind

Drones are prohibited at Bottomless Lakes. Keep pets leashed and remove their waste. Follow the unit’s current restrictions rather than treating the open landscape as unrestricted recreation space.

Book a shelter separately from entry

A group shelter requires a reservation. Ask staff about its booking terms, and use the park’s authorized reservation link for the selected facility. Day passes can be purchased online, at park payment points or by calling 1-888-NMPARKS.

Find the Roswell park entrance

Use 545 A Bottomless Lakes Road, Roswell, NM 88201. The state places the park about 15 miles southeast of Roswell. Get the park map from the official park page to distinguish Lea Lake, the lower lakes and the trail locations.

Other parks around Roswell

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies northeast of Roswell, with its entrance reached from East Pine Lodge Road. Its hiking trails open sunrise to sunset. Spring River Zoo Park is at 1306 East College in Roswell and follows zoo hours, with no arrivals after 3 p.m. Check that separate visit’s access before driving into town.

Choose a short route or a longer ride

• Bluff Trail: 0.86 mile.
• Wetlands Trail: 0.54 mile.
• Skidmarks: a 3.13-mile mountain-bike trail.
• Bird observation: use the park’s wildlife-viewing blinds.

Picnic and interpretation facilities

The day-use area includes 24 picnic shelters, a group shelter, a playground and a sand volleyball court. The visitor center provides exhibits and park information. Restrooms and shower towers have seasonal closures, so choose the outing with those service limits in mind.

A New Mexico sinkhole landscape

The park’s eight-lake chain forms part of the landscape southeast of Roswell. A trail or picnic visit lets you examine this setting without needing to launch a boat.

New Mexico’s first state park

Established in 1933, Bottomless Lakes was New Mexico’s first state park. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Lea Lake pavilion and water tower during the 1930s. The federal recreation profile describes that historic work.

Watch the wetland edges

Birding and wildlife-viewing blinds are part of the park’s recreation facilities. Use the Wetlands Trail and observation areas as distinct choices within a short visit, without expecting a particular bird sighting.

Contact

Call 575-988-3638 for current park conditions and day-use facilities.