The best camping in Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM

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96% (12)

Swimming, sailing, scuba diving…and mythical monsters?!  

The best camping in Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
96% (12)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Bottomless Lakes State Park adventure.

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Dusty Rabbit Van Life

99%
(238)
23mi from Bottomless Lakes State Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Roswell, NM
STARGAZING & MYSTERIOUS LIGHTS ABOUND! Dusty Rabbit Van Life @ Schrimsher Ranch is an alternative camping and Star Gazing location just outside of ROSWELL, yet close to the open road. A great place to relax under the stars, have a camp fire, and kick back next to your travel rig after a long day. You might just want to crash for the night in a safe location out on the rangeland or stay a day or two to enjoy the land to walk, mountain bike antelope trails, and maybe even Sniffers the pronghorn antelope will find ya before you head out. This is a primitive site, so leave no trace practice is appreciated and pack in/out is how we do it here. If you come in the summer prepare the morning coffee early and enjoy the desert sun's rays hit the Capitan, but by 9am it will be hot, so be ready! Best star gazing and satellite watching in the world! I have several sites to choose from. But remember to keep an eye on the wind and weather as it can get crazy out here sometimes…..!!! I try to keep the sites stocked with firewood, but fill free to bring your own. Lonely Bull Camp 1 is my most popular site. It is very private and is easily accessible by most vehicles and campers. Ask about Lonely Bull Camp 4x4 if you have a capable vehicle. Amazing stars!! Old Highway Camp is a great alternative if you want something closer to the highway and have a safe private place to pull over, camp, kickback, make a fire and get back to your life on the on the road in the morning. It is closer to the highway, but is quite at night and has great star gazing. Enjoy being greeted by The Mountain in the morning. Let me know where you would like to stay and I will do my best to accommodate you! Safe travels!
Pets
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from 
$32
 / night

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The best camping in Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM guide

Overview

About

Legend has it that the nine sinkholes at New Mexico’s first state park are not only bottomless (hence the park’s name), but home to a gigantic monster turtle! Of course, the myths aren’t true, but these azure-blue cenotes still provide plenty of opportunities for adventure. Paddle your way around the gleaming blue pools, head to Lake Lea to swim or scuba dive, enjoy fishing and birding around the lakeshores, or hike the trail between the lakes. Campers can take their pick of four campgrounds, all by the lakeside, and the quirky Roswell UFO Museum is an easy day trip away.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for RVs: Lea Lake Campground has it all—full hookups, pull-through or back-in sites, and space for big rigs up to 60 feet.
  • Best for crowd-free camping: Devil's Inkwell Campground has a single tent/RV site with direct access to a small fishing lake. 
  • Best for hikers: Figure 8 Lake Campground provides tent/RV camping just a few steps from the Bluff Trail.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve sites at Lea Lake Campground online via the New Mexico State Parks website. The other campgrounds are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  2. Online reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
  3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially for holiday weekends, so book at least three months in advance.

When to go

New Mexican summers are best spent by the lakeside, and the crowds flock to Bottomless Lakes State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is the best time for swimming and getting on the water, although it’s often still warm enough through spring and fall. The park’s campgrounds stay open year-round, so plan a winter visit if you want to escape the crowd. Bonus: November through March is fishing season.

Know before you go

  • Bottomless Lakes State Park sits 14 miles southeast of Roswell. It’s a more than three-hour drive from both Albuquerque and El Paso.
  • Day passes are required for all vehicles entering New Mexico State Parks, and campsite booking fees also apply. Visitors arriving on foot or by bike can enter for free. 
  • You can bring your own non-motorized boat or watercraft to Bottomless Lakes State Park, and pedal boat and paddleboard rentals are also available in high season. 
  • Facilities at Bottomless Lakes include a Visitor Center, restrooms and showers, picnic areas, and an RV dump station.
  • There are accessible restrooms and campsites at Bottomless Lakes State Park.
96%
12 ratings · 10 reviews

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