Whether you own a backpack, mountain bike, horse, or motor home, adventure
awaits you within the 1.5 million acres of public land and 4.6 million acres
of Federal mineral estate managed by BLM's Roswell Field Office. Quality
recreation can be found in the area's caves, off-highway vehicle areas,
campgrounds, equestrian areas, and historic sites, not to mention its exotic
lava flows and other backcountry gems.

Whether you own a backpack, mountain bike, horse, or motor home, adventure awaits you within the 1.5 million acres of public land and 4.6 million acres of Federal mineral estate managed by BLM's Roswell Field Office. Quality recreation can be found in the area's caves, off-highway vehicle areas, campgrounds, equestrian areas, and historic sites, not to mention its exotic lava flows and other backcountry gems.

Bird's eye view of the park

Roswell Field Office

Originally designated the Carlsbad Bird Refuge in 1935, Bitter Lake National
Wildlife Refuge first appears as a desolate, barren landscape dotted by
occasional stumps, sparse grasses and shrubs. Upon closer examination the
various geologic features, bubbling springs and unique desert wildlife make
the refuge a true oasis.

Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains in southeast New
Mexico, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most biologically
significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in
1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the 24,563-acre refuge
plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the southwestern
desert. The refuge’s namesake, Bitter Lake, is a large playa lake which early
explorers to the region deemed “bitter” because of its white alkaline salty
appearance. Little did they realize that the lake and similar waters support a
wonderful diversity of creatures including a marine algae (_Bataphora_ spp.)
normally found only in lagoons along the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge supports
approximately 1,200 acres of wetlands that include more than 70 sinkholes,
large moist-soil managed impoundments, riverine habitats, ciénegas, and fresh
to brackish springs.

The wetlands attract more than 26,000 sandhill cranes, more than 50,000 snow
geese and ducks during migration, as well as a variety of wading birds
shorebirds such as great blue herons, egrets, white faced ibis, snowy plovers,
least terns, black-necked stilts, and avocets.

Situated along the floodplain of the winding Pecos River, the refuge is dotted
by sinkholes created by groundwater from paleozoic aquifers dissolving the
gypsum deposits in the soils above. Water bubbles to the surface along the
refuge’s western edge from the San Andreas limestone formation, providing
water and habitat for several resident threatened and endangered invertebrate,
fish, and plant species. The Pecos River itself has undergone many changes
including a New Mexico River Ecosystem Initiative project that reconnected an
old oxbow to improve water quality; improve habitat for the threatened Pecos
bluntnose shiner; attract more birds, mammals, reptiles, fish; and remove
invasive plants like saltcedar.

Several significant designations honor Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
It is recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area, offering vital habitat and
refuge for over 350 species of birds; as a National Natural Landmark and
Research Natural Site designated by the National Park Service, which
recognizes the more than 70 unique natural sinkhole depressions formed by
subsurface water percolating through the San Andreas limestone, saline
artesian lakes, and shrub-grasslands; and as a Ramsar International Wetland of
Importance site. This is a treaty that promotes wetland conservation
throughout the world. These refuge wetlands and ciénegas helped designate the
area as the first Ramsar site in New Mexico, the second Ramsar site in the
entire Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion, and one of the handful of Ramsar sites in
the Interior West. In addition, Salt Creek Wilderness Area, an undeveloped and
unimpaired 9,621-acre Congressionally designated wilderness area, graces the
northern section of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. All of these
designations recognize the tremendous value of this transitional area between
the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert and southwestern corner of the
Southern Great Plains.  
  
The early foundation of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge was built by hard
working young men in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s
as part of a Depression-era public works program initiated by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt that worked to rebuild and conserve our nation’s public
lands. The CCC camp built the original office, quarters, garages, levees,
water control structures, water delivery systems, and impoundments, several of
which are still intact and in use today.

Originally designated the Carlsbad Bird Refuge in 1935, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge first appears as a desolate, barren landscape dotted by occasional stumps, sparse grasses and shrubs. Upon closer examination the various geologic features, bubbling springs and unique desert wildlife make the refuge a true oasis.  Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains in southeast New Mexico, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the 24,563-acre refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the southwestern desert. The refuge’s namesake, Bitter Lake, is a large playa lake which early explorers to the region deemed “bitter” because of its white alkaline salty appearance. Little did they realize that the lake and similar waters support a wonderful diversity of creatures including a marine algae (Bataphora spp.) normally found only in lagoons along the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge supports approximately 1,200 acres of wetlands that include more than 70 sinkholes, large moist-soil managed impoundments, riverine habitats, ciénegas, and fresh to brackish springs.  The wetlands attract more than 26,000 sandhill cranes, more than 50,000 snow geese and ducks during migration, as well as a variety of wading birds shorebirds such as great blue herons, egrets, white faced ibis, snowy plovers, least terns, black-necked stilts, and avocets.  Situated along the floodplain of the winding Pecos River, the refuge is dotted by sinkholes created by groundwater from paleozoic aquifers dissolving the gypsum deposits in the soils above. Water bubbles to the surface along the refuge’s western edge from the San Andreas limestone formation, providing water and habitat for several resident threatened and endangered invertebrate, fish, and plant species. The Pecos River itself has undergone many changes including a New Mexico River Ecosystem Initiative project that reconnected an old oxbow to improve water quality; improve habitat for the threatened Pecos bluntnose shiner; attract more birds, mammals, reptiles, fish; and remove invasive plants like saltcedar.  Several significant designations honor Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. It is recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area, offering vital habitat and refuge for over 350 species of birds; as a National Natural Landmark and Research Natural Site designated by the National Park Service, which recognizes the more than 70 unique natural sinkhole depressions formed by subsurface water percolating through the San Andreas limestone, saline artesian lakes, and shrub-grasslands; and as a Ramsar International Wetland of Importance site. This is a treaty that promotes wetland conservation throughout the world. These refuge wetlands and ciénegas helped designate the area as the first Ramsar site in New Mexico, the second Ramsar site in the entire Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion, and one of the handful of Ramsar sites in the Interior West. In addition, Salt Creek Wilderness Area, an undeveloped and unimpaired 9,621-acre Congressionally designated wilderness area, graces the northern section of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. All of these designations recognize the tremendous value of this transitional area between the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert and southwestern corner of the Southern Great Plains.    The early foundation of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge was built by hard working young men in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s as part of a Depression-era public works program initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that worked to rebuild and conserve our nation’s public lands. The CCC camp built the original office, quarters, garages, levees, water control structures, water delivery systems, and impoundments, several of which are still intact and in use today.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Visitors can see antelope during fall season. The reservoir is dry except for
limited storage during spring runoffs. From Roswell, 14 mi W on US 70/380, 7
mi S on project access road.

Visitors can see antelope during fall season. The reservoir is dry except for limited storage during spring runoffs. From Roswell, 14 mi W on US 70/380, 7 mi S on project access road.

Two Rivers Dam

Bottomless Lakes was established in 1933, it was the first state park in New
Mexico. It takes its name from nine small, deep lakes located along the
eastern escarpment of the Pecos River Valley. Vaqueros (Cowboys) who could not
find the bottom of the lakes reportedly gave them their name. They would tie
two or three ropes together and drop them into the lakes to try and reach
bottom. The ropes were not long enough, so the vaqueros thought the lakes were
bottomless! The greenish blue color created by algae and other aquatic plants
also added to to the illusion of great depth.  
  
The historic Lea Lake Pavilion and water tower were built in the 1930s by the
Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and is a unique blend
of architectural styles en vogue during that time, including Park Service
Rustic, New Mexico/Santa Fe, and Territorial.  
  
Enjoy non-motorized boating in your kayak or canoe, camp, fish, picnic, swim,
hike, go birding or even scuba dive! The unique lakes at this park are
sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep. Bottomless Lakes offers visitor
center, camping, allows horseback riding, showers, group shelters, electric
hook-ups, restrooms, dumping stations, boating/boat ramps, fishing,
playground, trails, and R.V./Pull through sites.  
  
Park Elevation 3,617 ft  
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.

Bottomless Lakes was established in 1933, it was the first state park in New Mexico. It takes its name from nine small, deep lakes located along the eastern escarpment of the Pecos River Valley. Vaqueros (Cowboys) who could not find the bottom of the lakes reportedly gave them their name. They would tie two or three ropes together and drop them into the lakes to try and reach bottom. The ropes were not long enough, so the vaqueros thought the lakes were bottomless! The greenish blue color created by algae and other aquatic plants also added to to the illusion of great depth. 

The historic Lea Lake Pavilion and water tower were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and is a unique blend of architectural styles en vogue during that time, including Park Service Rustic, New Mexico/Santa Fe, and Territorial. 

Enjoy non-motorized boating in your kayak or canoe, camp, fish, picnic, swim, hike, go birding or even scuba dive! The unique lakes at this park are sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep. Bottomless Lakes offers visitor center, camping, allows horseback riding, showers, group shelters, electric hook-ups, restrooms, dumping stations, boating/boat ramps, fishing, playground, trails, and R.V./Pull through sites. 

Park Elevation 3,617 ft 
<a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/bottomlesslakesstatepark.html" rel="nofollow">Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website</a>.

Roswell Field Office

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Two Rivers Dam

Bottomless Lakes State Park