Bottomless Lakes State Park

New Mexico's first state park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, in the mid 1930s, southeast of Roswell around a series of small lakes that are actually sinkholes.

This sinkhole, a short distance from the visitors center, is known as Cottonwood Lake. Circulating underground water dissolved salts and gypsum deposits to form subterranean caverns. When the roofs of the caverns collapsed under their own weight sinkholes resulted and soon filled with water.

 

The CCC helped young men develop skills that could translate to post-depression employment. I've noticed that almost all the CCC parks we have seen include a tower for one reason or another. The CCC focused on using local materials to build the parks. 

Named by the Vaqueros from long ago, this beautiful and unique area comes as a surprise to travelers in contrast to the flat country surrounding Roswell.

The swim beach, at 15-acre Lea Lake, has a pavilion with picnic tables offering a shady repast from the fierce New Mexico sun.

Behind the docks and bath house is a RV campground with full hookups. Paddle boats, kayaks and stand up paddle boards are available for rent in the summer. Tent camping is available at smaller lakes in Bottomless Lakes State Park, New Mexico's first state park.