Being in a landlocked state doesn't prevent us from finding ways to cool off during the sweltering summer months.
Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area
Carlsbad, NM is located along the Pecos River, with 125.6 acres of recreation area at Lake Carlsbad. Along the river, you will find shaded picnic areas with tables and grills, a walking trail, and a variety of options for playing sports outdoors. There is a boat ramp for watercraft play, and nearby is the public swimming area, known as The Beach, with space to swim and ride aqua cycles and pedal boats. Carlsbad Water Park is located in the beach area along with splash pads, providing many ways to cool off.
Location: 708 Park Dr., Carlsbad, NM 88220. 32.428534, -104.220291
Cost: Free
Hours: year round, 24 hours, lifeguards on duty during summer months
Cottonwood Day Use Area
Cottonwood Day Use Area is located within the 1,200 mile recreation space of the Black River, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. While this outdoor space is primarily used for bird and wildlife watching, fishing, and picnicking, low impact activities can be enjoyed here as well. Paddleboards and kayaks can be seen as well as the occasional diver. Even though their website does not specifically say you can swim there, it does not say that you cannot swim. Therefore, it is a popular swimming hole, so try to get there early enough to grab a shady spot. There are vault toilets available at this site, along with shaded picnic tables near the parking lot; however, there is no potable water. This area is day use only: no camping or overnights. The water of the Black River in this location is deep and cool, providing a lush oasis in which to retreat.
Location: The Black River Recreation Area is about 26 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM. From Carlsbad, take US 62/180 south for about 25 miles, and turn west onto CR 418. Travel another 2 miles, and turn left at the fork. 32.09602639, -104.46942
Cost: Free
Hours: year round, day use only
Sitting Bull Falls
This true oasis in the desert is managed by the Lincoln National Forest-Guadalupe Ranger District and boasts a spring-fed waterfall that drops 150 ft. (45.7 m) into a pool of water below. This location is popular in the hot summer months, as the spring-fed water is refreshingly cool. There are numerous shaded picnic structures for use, but this is an incredibly popular place to visit, and space is limited. There is an ADA path to a viewing area of the falls, and you can hike several trails in the area.
Location: From US 285 north of Carlsbad, turn west onto NM 137. Continue on NM 137 for about 20 miles until you find County Road 409. Turn right on this road and continue. The Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Site is at the end of this road.
32.245283 -104.696627
Cost: Day use fee: $10/car;
Multi-passenger vehicle: $25/car
Hours: Thursday – Monday, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Bottomless Lakes State Park
The lakes in this park are made up of nine sinkholes, ranging in depth from 17 to 90 feet deep. Aquatic plants give the water a greenish-blue hue making them appear to be bottomless. Activities to do at Bottomless Lakes State Park include non-motorized boating, swimming, camping, hiking, fishing, birding, and even scuba diving. Amenities are plentiful at this park for those wishing to use it for a day trip, an overnight, or an extended camping trip.
Location: 14 miles southeast of Roswell;
545 A Bottomless Lakes Rd., Roswell, NM 88201
575-988-3638
33°19′9″N 104°19′54″W / 33.31917°N 104.33167°W
Cost: $5 per vehicle
Hours: year round, 6 am – 9 pm
Grindstone Lake
Grindstone Lake is just minutes away from downtown Ruidoso and is one of the area’s many popular attractions. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and disc golf are some activities you can enjoy. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Wibit Water Park, which is like a playground on water, is open on the lake. Hours for the Wibit are 10 am – 6 pm, and cost is $20/person.
Location: 111 Wiggins Way, off Resort Drive
Cost: $10/vehicle May 25, 2024 – September 2, 2024 Reservations required Friday-Sunday
Hours: Memorial Day – Labor Day, sunrise to sunset Low-season operations, 5 am – 11 pm
Santa Rosa Blue Hole
This precious gem is renowned for its clear blue waters and is one of the most popular diving destinations in the United States. The circular, bell-shaped, natural swimming hole maintains a constant temperature of 61 degrees F, and visibility is an astonishing 100 feet. The artesian well has a constant inflow of 3,000 gallons of water per minute, cycling out the water every six hours, thus you are never in the same lake twice. In addition to Blue Hole, Park Lake is right next to Blue Hole. Park Lake has a water park, a Wibit, and other fun ways to cool off in the arid desert.
Location: 1085 Blue Hole Rd., Santa Rosa, NM
Cost: $5
Hours: 7 am – 7 pm, year-round
Exploring New Mexico can be an incredible experience. From stunning sunrises and sunsets, to an unexpected desert oasis, The Land of Enchantment rarely disappoints.
When planning your adventure, be sure to visit your destination’s website to ensure you are informed of any changes that may have occurred or alerts that need to be known. By planning ahead and being prepared, your trip to one of these amazing swimming destinations will be memorable. It is best to practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace when planning an outing: plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others. Implementing the principles of Leave No Trace can help your outdoor adventure be educated, safe, and healthy for you and the environment.
Be sure to check your destination’s website for any closures or alerts that might affect your visit!
Resources:
- https://carlsbadnewmexico.com/place/lake-carlsbad/
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/black-river-recreation-area
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lincoln/recarea/?recid=34238
- https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/bottomless-lakes-state-park/
- https://www.ruidosoparksandrec.com/grindstone-lake-trail-system
- https://www.santarosabluehole.com/
- https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
Michele Robertson
There are many facets to what makes me who I am. Enjoying time in nature while practicing "leave no trace" principles and doing interesting, educational, and cultural activities with my kids tops the list of my favorite things. I’m also a community advocate and volunteer, doing what I can to make a positive impact.
