Bottomless Lakes State Park

The American southwest is home to some of the most striking geological formations in the world; fortunately, a number of state parks exist to preserve them and allow people to experience their majesty. Bottomless Lakes State Park is one of New Mexico's finest.

The Earth's work

Bottomless Lakes State Park was New Mexico's first state park, and it is easy to see what led the government to declare that it was worth protecting. The park is structured around a series of nine lakes located along a limestone reef along the Pecos River. The lakes were originally caves in the limestone but as they expanded, the ceilings caved in leaving incredibly deep, nearly spherical lakes behind.

About the lakes

The great majority of the lakes are surrounded by steep cliffs and are not open for recreation. Their dark, greenish-blue color makes them look like they have no bottom, but the shallowest is a mere 17 feet. Interestingly enough, the deepest lake is Lazy Lagoon, which looks the shallowest. Comprised of three separate sinkholes, its deepest point reaches 90 feet beneath the surface.

Take a swim

Lea Lake is the only one of the lakes that is open for swimming and features a popular beach and concession stand. It is sometimes quite crowded during the summer.

The sinkhole

One of the most unique of the Bottomless Lakes is the Devil's Sinkhole. The smallest of the lakes at a mere third of an acre, it is also a deep blackish color created by algae and the steep sides of the underwater cavern.

Bottomless Lakes State Park is one of many striking state parks in New Mexico. Its unique combination of geological beauty and recreational opportunities make it a must-visit.