Bottomless Lakes State Park offers several camping areas situated at an elevation of 3,620 feet, with mineral-rich, alkaline lakes scattered throughout the canyon-like terrain. The region's desert climate produces hot summer days with temperatures reaching 95-100°F while nights cool considerably. Winter brings mild days with occasional freezing temperatures that require adequate camping preparation.
What to do
Lakeside activities at Lea Lake: Visitors at Bottomless Lakes State Park can enjoy paddle boarding rentals on the surprisingly clear blue water. "You can rent paddle boards for cheap, and the water is surprisingly clear and blue. It's a kind of oasis for people surrounded by dirt and cacti," notes camper Savannah D.
Wildlife viewing at Bitter Lake: Campers staying near Roswell can take day trips to nearby Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge to observe migratory birds. "The sand cranes were arriving and it was interesting to see them create line formations in the valleys," reports Charyle C., who stayed at Bottomless Lakes during her visit.
Explore hiking trails: The park maintains walking paths that provide views of the distinctive sinkholes and surrounding landscape. "Nice walking trail. Some nice long sites," mentions Donna C., though she recommends checking shower facilities before planning to use them.
What campers like
Quiet camping atmosphere: Trailer Village RV Park maintains a peaceful environment despite being close to Roswell's attractions. "We were treated very well here. Price is $35 a night, but that's expected for the touristy town and winter season," reports Bianca B., who appreciated the clean facilities.
Spacious site layout: Many campgrounds in the area provide adequately separated sites. "Room between sites. Most sites are gravel with shaded picnic tables. Peaceful nights," notes James P. about his experience at Lea Lake Campground.
Budget-friendly dispersed options: Haystack Mountain OHV Area offers affordable camping 20 minutes east of Roswell. "With a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and shelter, you cannot complain for $5 a night. The bathrooms were the cleanest pit-toilets we've ever seen," writes Shari G., who enjoyed the strong cellular connection.
What you should know
Weather challenges: The Roswell area experiences extreme temperature fluctuations and strong winds. "We had a twist of unexpected weather. We got hit with a TON of crazy wind which made our tent bend all the way to the ground," warns Leah W. about her experience at Baca Campground.
Insect concerns: Some seasons bring mosquitoes and other biting insects. "Oh my, better be prepared for mosquitoes. My husband and I were swarmed by mosquitoes and were bitten no less than 25 times each, we counted!" cautions a camper at Bottomless Lakes State Park.
Water availability: Many dispersed camping areas near Roswell lack water sources. "There is no water at this camping area, not even a nearby creek, so come prepared. Roswell offers all the amenities you could want, with full grocery stores, gas stations and water/ice kiosks," advises Shari G. about camping at Haystack Mountain.
Tips for camping with families
Lake swimming access: Lake Van provides family-friendly water access at reasonable rates. "A great stop over. Cheap full hookups or boondocking. During the week you pretty much have the whole park to yourself," shares L A., noting the well-maintained facilities.
Avoid sandburs with children and pets: Some grassy areas in the region contain painful sandburs that can cause problems. "Great scenery here, and luckily New Mexico now allows camping again at its state parks, but... there are about a trillion sandburs on the grass here. Love the looks, wouldn't bring pets," advises Jeff N. from his experience at Bottomless Lakes.
Check bathroom facilities: Camping facilities vary widely in quality and maintenance. "The park is nice...bathrooms need work and cleaning. There is a host getting a free site," reports Donna C., suggesting families verify bathroom conditions before arrival.
Tips from RVers
Overnight parking access: Red Barn RV Park provides convenient facilities for RVers needing a quick overnight stay. "Very affordable rates. We stopped in for the night on our way through. It is a small park but has plenty of room to turn around. It was quiet and the staff are very friendly," shares Richard.
Rural campground advantages: Staying at dog friendly campgrounds near Roswell's outskirts provides unique rural experiences. "The best part was seeing all the Canada geese and Sandhills cranes land in the fields right next to the property. There were hundreds and listening to them come and go throughout the day was so peaceful," describes Richard F. about his stay at Red Barn RV Park.
Site selection tips: Choose the right site for your rig's hookup requirements. "We ended up in spot number 3 which had the sewer connection in the back so we had to stretch our sewer hose pretty far," advises TheCampingNerd about their stay at Lake Van, suggesting RVers carefully assess site layouts before setting up.
