The Blue Hole has the bluest and most pristine water in New Mexico. But what about turquoise water? If you want to gaze at the rippling surface of a turquoise pool of water, you need to head 14 miles southeast of Roswell, to Bottomless Lakes State Park.
Yelp/Rebecca W.
Wikimedia Commons/NMMIMAJ There you’ll find nine sinkholes. Eight of these are inside the boundaries of the park, while the ninth – Dimmitt Lake – is privately owned.
Tripadvisor/Lisa R. One sinkhole in particular is known for the color of its water. Algae and aquatic plants are responsible for the turquoise, sometimes almost green, hue of the Devil’s Inkwell.
Tripadvisor/BedfordSoccerMom This sinkhole is 32 foot deep and flanked by steep, red cliffs.
Flickr/Cassie The contrast between the rocks and the water is dramatic.
Flickr/Jeff While you can hike around Devil’s Inkwell, you can’t swim here.
Tripadvisor/Bob A. Lea Lake, which is composed of three sinkholes, is the only place in the park where you can take a dip. But the water here is gorgeous too. Some days it appears blue; on other days, it veers towards turquoise.
Flickr/Jeff
Flickr/Joel Deluxe A sandy beach lines Lea Lake – there’s even a sand volleyball court. Take non-motorized boats like kayaks and pedal boats (available to rent) onto the lake, or give paddle boarding a shot (also for rent).
Tripadvisor/Lisa S. Other popular activities in this park include fishing, birding, hiking, and camping.
Tripadvisor/Bluezombie What about the other sinkholes?
Lazy Lagoon is the biggest lake and is 90 feet deep in places.
Mirror Lake is shallower, at 50 feet deep, but its reflective surface is especially appealing.
Cottonwood Lake is the sinkhole next to the visitors’ center.
Flickr/Tricia J The remaining sinkholes are Figure Eight Lake, which is really two adjacent lakes; Pasture Lake, which is only 18 foot deep; and Lost Lake. You have to hike in order to see that last one.
While Scotland has Loch Ness, if dubious legend is to be believed, these sinkholes conceal giant turtles! Not particularly terrifying as lake monsters go.
Yelp/Rebecca W.
Wikimedia Commons/NMMIMAJ
There you’ll find nine sinkholes. Eight of these are inside the boundaries of the park, while the ninth – Dimmitt Lake – is privately owned.
Tripadvisor/Lisa R.
One sinkhole in particular is known for the color of its water. Algae and aquatic plants are responsible for the turquoise, sometimes almost green, hue of the Devil’s Inkwell.
Tripadvisor/BedfordSoccerMom
This sinkhole is 32 foot deep and flanked by steep, red cliffs.
Flickr/Cassie
The contrast between the rocks and the water is dramatic.
Flickr/Jeff
While you can hike around Devil’s Inkwell, you can’t swim here.
Tripadvisor/Bob A.
Lea Lake, which is composed of three sinkholes, is the only place in the park where you can take a dip. But the water here is gorgeous too. Some days it appears blue; on other days, it veers towards turquoise.
Flickr/Joel Deluxe
A sandy beach lines Lea Lake – there’s even a sand volleyball court. Take non-motorized boats like kayaks and pedal boats (available to rent) onto the lake, or give paddle boarding a shot (also for rent).
Tripadvisor/Lisa S.
Other popular activities in this park include fishing, birding, hiking, and camping.
Tripadvisor/Bluezombie
What about the other sinkholes?
Lazy Lagoon is the biggest lake and is 90 feet deep in places.
Mirror Lake is shallower, at 50 feet deep, but its reflective surface is especially appealing.
Cottonwood Lake is the sinkhole next to the visitors’ center.
Flickr/Tricia J
The remaining sinkholes are Figure Eight Lake, which is really two adjacent lakes; Pasture Lake, which is only 18 foot deep; and Lost Lake. You have to hike in order to see that last one.
Have you seen the vivid colors at Bottomless Lakes State Park? Which is your favorite lake or swimming hole in New Mexico?
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