The best camping near Bottomless Lakes State Park

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

100% (9 reviews)

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

Popular ways to camp

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Top-rated campgrounds near Bottomless Lakes State Park

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Desert Rose Stopover

2 sites · RVs5 acres · Roswell, NM

5 acres bordered by pecan trees. Level area, cement slab, large trees on site. We have recently added gravel to the parking area. Water, septic, electricity provided. NO BATHROOM FACILITIES available, please bring your own if car camping. No human waste allowed in site trash bin. I do have septic you can connect to your RV. Quiet rural area NW of Roswell, 6 miles from downtown where you can explore alien museums and attractions. Bottomless lakes state park and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge nearby. 70 miles from Ruidoso with hiking, bike and equestrian trails, skiing, shopping, fishing. Haystack mountain recreation area, Pecos river, rockhounding sites in vicinity. White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Valley of Fires a short drive away.

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(205)

Dusty Rabbit Van Life

5 sites · RVs, Tents2000 acres · Roswell, NM

Learn more about this land:Dusty Rabbit Van Life @ Schrimsher Ranch is an alternative camping & Star Gazing location just outside of town, 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 are welcome to explore the 600+ acres of rolling hills and high desert of our ranch. If you cross a fence you've gone too far, so that makes it easy for you to know where you're at. 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!

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A True Cold War Relic..Missile Silo

6 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Roswell, NM

Learn more about this land: ALL camping stays include an extensive 1.5 to 2 hour Missile Site Tour, with an underground Silo portion. The Missile Base property with it's underground Launch Control Center and a Utility Tunnel that leads to the 186 ft deep Missile Silo, with much of it's original floors still intact. Learn what it took to operate one of these amazing sites. The major construction/refurbishment areas, have been renovated into an unbelievable underground home and office. Prepare for one of the most awesome tours included with the cost of your stay. This is the site of a decommissioned Atlas F Missile Silo which was deactivated by the United States Air Force in 1965, located in Southeastern New Mexico, close to Roswell, NM. Explore the property that once housed our Country's first InterContinental Ballistic Missile ICBM Site and pick out your own camp spot. Everyone is invited on the top of the Missile Silo Cap for great stargazing and campfires in the evening. Just 20 short minutes from downtown Roswell, New Mexico, USA with many local stores and restaurants. The Missile Site is very near many activities such as hiking, biking and 4 wheel drive trails to include nearby Bottomless Lake State Park and the World famous International UFO Museum in downtown Roswell.

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Casa Linda Campgrounds

4 sites · RVs, Tents35 acres · Picacho, NM

Casa Linda is a Vineyard with Ambiance. It originally settled in 1860-70’s by sheriff Kimbrell(sheriff before Brady-killed by Billy the Kid) Set on 30 plus acres of vineyards, orchards, greenhouses & terraced fields leading down to the river. Main house built in 1930-40’s by legendary Actress Linda Darnell who had many famous guests including John Wayne. Come relax, enjoy the views, stargazing, fishing, hiking. As well as this areas’ wineries, breweries, casino, ski Apache +!

Booked 3 times

Desert no shade

4 sites · RVs5 acres · Roswell, NM

Learn more about this land: Live in a high plains desert no shade very hot cold Winters. Leaving a farm community have lots of water for irrigation. Sure would like to buy a garden have enough water need help. Have a fenced area 4 acres. Horses, Cows, Dogs good fence. With water. Can provide water and electricity for a little more Money $$$.

Booked 2 times

Sleepy Valley Farm

5 sites · Tents8000 acres · Roswell, NM

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the blissful Pecos Valley! Here, you'll discover exquisite stargazing, serene silent nights, breathtaking sunsets, and stunning views that will leave you in awe. You’ll quickly see why this paradise was a favorite camping grounds of the Nʉmʉnʉʉ Sookobitʉ (Comanche) tribe. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as you play in the river, hunt for a new rock for your collection, bask in the uninterrupted sunshine, or splash in the river. With the closest neighbor miles away, you'll be enveloped in darkness free of light pollution, allowing for unparalleled stargazing experiences. The vast open skies provide the perfect canvas for spotting constellations or even hunting for UFOs – a phenomenon with a history dating back to the 1950s, with many sightings reported in the area. Accessing our farm is a scenic drive along 16 miles of well-maintained gravel roads. While four-wheel drive is not necessary, if you prefer to avoid dust, we're happy to meet you in town and escort you to the property.

The best camping near Bottomless Lakes State Park 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

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.
Online reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
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.