Outdoor guide: Bottomless Lake State Park

Bottomless Lake State Park

The lakes are water-filled sinkholes. Geology and water chemistry create a unique environment for plants and animals. The lakes are a greenish-blue color and create an illusion the lakes are bottomless. Legend has it that cowboys used to tie their saddle ropes to rocks to see how deep the lake was. The lakes range from 17 feet to 90 feet deep and Lea Lake is the deepest at 90 feet.

• What do they offer: They have boating, sailing, picnicking, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, playground, scuba diving and geology exploration. Bottomless Lakes also has winter trout fishing.

• Where is it? Twelve miles east of Roswell.

• When is the best time to go fishing? Early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

• Where is the best place to catch fish: Devil’s Ink Well and Cottonwood Lake are available for fishing.

• Park fees: Per vehicle $5, Bicycle, walk-in free, bus is $15.

• Camping fees: Primitive site $8; Developed site $10; Water and electrical hook-up $14.

• Where can you get a fishing license: Wal-Mart off of N.M. 285/U.S. 70 or http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

• Information: 686-2270 or go to http://www.nmparks.com