This spot was one of the stops on my road trip and it ended up being one of the most peaceful ones. I arrived right after sunrise and the whole place was completely empty which made it even better. It was just me and the Blue Hole in total quiet and that moment alone was worth the detour. I thought about swimming but that early in the morning the water must have been freezing and I was not trying to risk the rest of my trip by starting the day shaking. Still the view and the atmosphere made it easy to enjoy without even touching the water. There is something almost unreal about finding a bright blue pool sitting in the middle of the desert. It feels unexpected and a little magical. Even though it is tucked away in the middle of nowhere it absolutely deserves a spot on any travel route. Calm quiet memorable. I am glad I made this stop. read more

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We were here for an open water dive for my daughter. We applied ahead for her dive permit and picked up what we needed to display in the welcome center. There are shaded picnic tables which was nice for storing gear for the day during their dives. I'm not sure if there is an entry cost for swimmers, but there were lots of folks there that day for swimming and jumping off the ledge. They all seemed to be having a good time even with the chilly water. This natural feature is 81 feet deep and stays at approximately 61 degrees year round. We were told there are also caves that branch off from the bottom but those are closed due to a past slide that blocked the entrance. There is plenty of parking. They do charge a minimal fee to park. There are restrooms in close proximity to the water. There is a public restroom and also specific restrooms for those that are diving. The water really is a pretty shade of blue. read more

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It's in the middle of nowhere but so popular!!!! It's 80ft deep so divers do dive here and families swim and hang out. If you haven't been it's a must see. read more

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Fascinating, someone I know was scuba certified here. That's the reality of life in the West and landlocked states. Amazing this geologic wonder exists in the middle of desert New Mexico. read more

Great Quick Stop Right Off I-40 The Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, NM is a surprisingly beautiful roadside stop that's just a few minutes off I-40. It's completely free to visit and easy to access, making it a convenient detour if you're driving through the area. The water is crystal clear and a steady 61 degrees year-round. You can swim if you're up for the cold, but if you want to dive, a permit is required. When we visited, the local police department's search and rescue team was training in the water, and even they were reacting to the chilly temperature--despite wearing wetsuits. Around the Blue Hole, there are picnic tables, covered shelters, restrooms, and some RV hookups with water and electric. We didn't camp, so we're not sure about the overnight rules, but the area seemed well-kept and quiet. Overall, it's a quick, scenic spot worth checking out--especially during warmer months when a cold swim might be exactly what you need. read more

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Blue hole is the main attraction and thing to do in the santa rosa area. We did a 7 hour drive out here for a diving trip for my kids. There is a lot of parking. It seems to be a popular spot for families to come and picnic as well. The recreation center couples with the dmv. They do have limited day time hours. I had emailed in advance and was able to chat with the manager via cell phone. He said if we came after hours he would come out to meet us. You do need to pay $25 per diver for a week permit. If you want to just swim that is free. There is not a limit on how many divers can be in once and it sounds like in the summer it can get quite busy. On saturday and sunday, swimmers are not allowed in until 11 am. The water is consistent 60-62 degrees. There is a scuba rental shop on site, but she has limited hours and only on the weekends usually. If you want to do rentals I would call in advance just to clarify she will be there prior to coming The scuba shop lady only has a landline - no cell or email. It is $75 if you need everything for one day rental. You will need to have cash. She does not take cards or checks. She is separate from blue hole but has a small shed/building on site. Of course you need to be a certified diver to dive or be a student with a teacher. read more

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Made a stop here on a long trip headed to Cali from Texas. Kind of cool to see this in an area that made it seem very out of place. Chilly morning when we stopped off, and not many other sightseers were here. Would recommend it if you're in the area and need to stretch your legs from a lengthy drive. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Christal clear water - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

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No, I did not swim here. I went as far as dipping my feet in it. Be warned: if you're going to do such thing, be cautious on the steps that they are very slick and hold on to the rail! So about the famous Blue Hole...it is one of the most popular (maybe Top 3 or 5?) diving destinations in the United States. You can go as far as 80 feet below if you're a scuba diver. Also if you plan on going scuba diving, you must have a license. There have been horror stories about professional divers not making it back up to the upper surface. (May want to turn to research and YouTube for that one) But either way, if you're just passing through town or cruising Route 66 like I was, then definitely make this a must-stop. Swim at your own risk. The water is fresh and natural...I could go about that! I was there on a Fall day and most people were there just to take pictures and have picnics there. Large parking area as well. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Selfie at the diving area - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

We were kind of disappointed to see what Blue Hole was all about after taking a day trip to drive to Santa Rosa to check out what Blue Hole was all about. It was on a Memorial Day one of the weekend days after COVID measures were lifted, so the place was pretty crowded. Like you would have to be in pretty close vicinity to the people around you for sure. We got vaccinated already, but after a year long saga, being in super crowded place (albeit outdoors) wasn't something both of us felt as comfortable doing again...esp given our state was just 40% vaccinated. The place was crowded, you'd have to line up and get in a line to get/pay for parking. We were hoping for somewhere serene/peaceful and beautiful where we would have time for ourselves, but it seemed other families had Blue Hole in mind as well. On the way out driving towards/out of Blue Hole location, a tire on our car also got a big nail that went right into the tire...so..it was definitely a challenge/unexpected event to have to stop by along the way a bit after leaving Blue Hole location to change tire...and settled at 50mph down the highway until we could find another road with less traffic to drive on instead. Overall, way too crowded and a bit of a disappointment for both of us for sure. read more

Beautiful fresh clean water. Wish they wouldn't have built a building so close. and I think the buoys mar the view. I swam when it was 50° out so the 61° water was actually warmer. Cool ledges to jump off of. Will try to be back!! read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

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Not a far drive from panhandle texas. Although it is on route 66 so plenty of weekend traffic. Not a hard place to find but kind of confusing. So when you pull you'll need to park and either pay for water park across the street. Or pay for a parking pass. You can then drive around to a spot more convenient to water hole or just walk around from the station. In the station you can also change your clothes. It has some benches with shading but you could bring your own set up. Bring sandals or water shoes, lifevest for kiddos. It has a platform for some kind of surface sports. It has a bathroom by hole. So their is a smaller rock playform to jump off if the cliff is not your idea of fun. Their are scuba divers in the water the whole time. Beware that water is COLD! But its refreshing and beautiful. Lifeguards were on duty. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Super cool stop on the way to Albuquerque from Oklahoma. We took a dip on one of the hottest days. Be prepared to feel alive, it's cold. Stop in Santa Rosa, NM. read more

The Treasure Of Santa Rosa!! "Blue Hole appears in the midst of the desert like a great blue gem. (Agua Negra Chiquita) Once known as Blue Lake, it is one of seven sister lakes connected underground by a vast system of water. This wonder defines Santa Rosa even as it seems to defy the surrounding red mesas. Born of a geological phenomenon called the Santa Rosa sink, the place is magic--as water always is in a land of little rain. Nomadic tribes, cowboys driving their dogies cross the Pecos, and Americans going west on the Mother Road, Route 66, all sought respite here." From The Santa Rosa Blue Hole Website - https://www.santarosabluehole.com I have driven through the area several times over the years and was always curious about what the Blue Hole was really like. Typically Santa Rosa has always been a place for a quick bite or a bathroom break while on the road. On this sunny hot June day, as I was on my way to Roswell I decided to check it out. There is another lake nearby, a man-made lake in which you can go swimming and the water is apparently a little warmer, but the Blue Hole is a wonder upon itself. As you drive into the area there are people on the road to collect your money for entrance and a shack too you can stop in and pay by credit card. The parking lot has ample parking. As you approach the Blue Hole you will see diving trailers and many people milling about half or fully dressed in diving gear. You can pay for diving lessons on the spot and rent diving gear to go into the Blue hole. As you approach you will see the sign and walk up to the area. It's only about 60 feet across but the water, as they say, is pure blue, and when the water is calm you can make out the silhouettes of divers 30-40 feet down. This place is truly a wonder, to see such pristine water. On my visit that day there were hundreds of people but mostly brave and curious teenagers actually jumping into the water from the cliff. On the other side of the Blue hole, they have a small staircase for those a little more apprehensive. I myself being a veteran of many cold icy Canadian lakes and cool oceans decided, what the heck, I'll give it a shot, so up I went to the cliff and jumped in. Oh yes, it was cold, especially the first few seconds, but it was a very hot and sunny day out so I was able to warm up very quickly. This is one of those 'Who knew" kinda places that are just amazing being in the middle of the desert and mountains. I hung around for about 90 minutes and jumped in a few more times. I have to say this is quite the place. If you're ever in the Santa Rosa area this place is a must, it just one of the many treasures that make New Mexico a very special place. read more

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Pretty cool place to pull over and take a nice dip, but it is CHILLY! Its 60* year round and is spring fed water. It is a beautiful blue, but it is literally a hole in the ground. My husband and I went scuba diving while the kids swam. In order to scuba dive you will have to get a permit that I think was about $20. They do have tanks and other equipment available to rent on-site. We just needed tanks. My husband and I had the whole place to ourselves, underwater. It is a little creepy at the bottom. There are rocks and debris, as well as a plaque in memory of 2 divers that died trying to map out the caves. I actually had an equipment failure and had to end the dive early due to taking in water, but all is well. It is a beautiful spot! Be careful if you dive, this is a high altitude and deep water dive. There is also a spot up the road towards Albuquerque that is an even higher altitude and could cause the bends if you head that way too soon after diving. read more

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Long drive from Denver... very popular with SCUBA classes. They say the H2O temperature is "a constant 60F"! Ah, that water was NOT 60 degrees... maybe 45F-50F! The tow is pretty much a ghost town except for one resteraunt and the hotels along Rte. 66. read more

Since Blue Hole is right next to the Wibit recreation area, I am leaving this review for both places. You can't beat the price for so much fun and frolic! What a great way to spend a day with family and friends. This was a blast folks, and the perfect solution to beat those scorching summer temperatures. Head out of town and plan to arrive by 10am, bring shading equipment (canopies, etc) and camping chairs and your coolers, (even saw some folks bring their grill and crockpots for frito pies) and park yourselves for the day. $10 a person (height requirement for the wibit inflatable obstacle course, but not required for swimming, diving and use of the peddle boats). There is a $5 parking fee which covers both the Wibit and Blue Hole. Unlimited swimming, use of the diving board, fun slide, and so much laughs and entertainment trying to make your way through the wibit and climbing the big polar mountain. Price includes use of the peddle boats and paddle board (SUP anyone?). Don't forget the sunscreen!! Before you head home, make sure to stop by the Blue Hole, crystal clear spring water, but it's best enjoyed if you have the courage to jump off the ledge and enjoy the crisp water! Nothing really more to see, but absolutely refreshing to take a swim in! read more

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Cold but awesome Wear a wetsuit if u cant stand the cold Fun rock to jump off of Highly recommend read more

Nice quaint place to get your scuba diving on over your sweet little vacay or just to spend the day. Just two hours away from Albuquerque it's a quick easy drive and it will totally be worth it. Nice family place for kiddos good for adults to hang out. The water is crystal blue and it's 60 feet wide and average the water is 62° it's great go check out the blue hole in Santa Rosa!!! read more

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Half-way between Amarillo, TX and Albuquerque, NM, the Big Blue is literally, a "hole in the ground" that is great place for a detour to rest, check out, and cool off. Bring your swim trunks and jump in! Just be prepared to be "chilled" as the water is a cool 61 degrees fed from a natural spring. A good distraction from the monotonous drive, it's a good break and "cool" place to see read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Blue Hole sign...note, water temp 61! - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

This is a must-see attraction for Santa Rosa with cool temperature water and a couple of platform options for jumping in. There are restrooms on site so you can change before taking a dip. There is a $5 fee to park but this works for both the Blue Hole and the local Park Lake. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

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I've been going to Blue Hole since I was a kid. Back in the day, this was a crazy blue oasis in a dry field that you only knew about if you knew the owner of the property. It gained popularity over the years, but now it seems to have been commercialized like many other places. There is now a visitors center, a stage for bands, a covered picnic area and bathrooms. The install of steps into the pool is nice, but at 61 degrees F. you're better off just taking the plunge! You can jump from the rocks on the higher side or a tamer hop from the low side. People also jump from the wall along the top which is not recommended but not banned either. There are also life guards on duty. The water is cold and crystal clear. At about 80 feet deep, it's popular for scuba diving. Blue Hole is pretty small; don't expect to swim around unfettered by other visitors and divers. The pool spills over into a small stream that small kiddos will enjoy wading around in although it's just as cold as the pool. Blue Hole is worth a visit if you're in Albuquerque or the surrounding area. read more

A hidden gem. Blue Hole is a natural spring that scuba divers use to certify. Just looking at it from the parking it's not very impressive because of its size. When we got up close I saw the most clear beautifully blue water and the caves within. A man happened to be walking over at the same time who shared that it's rumored that the caves from Carlsbad likely connect hundreds of miles to this little spring. Besides scuba diving you can walk or jump in- a couple of kids were playing in it while we were there. :) read more

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The blue hole is not what I had imagined. It's not free either. The water is very clear and you can see the rock ledges just underneath the surface. It looks like a nice place to scuba or just swim. I would have liked to be able to sit on the edge and put my feet in without actually getting all the way in. Overall it reminded me of a public pool that was set in a beautiful location. Great for young people looking to play in water. read more

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How cool is this? Or should I write, how warm is this? Because they say the water is a constant 61 degrees year round. Cool, huh? Or... warm? You get the idea! If you're rollin' through Santa Rosa, slow that roll and take in this site, it's pretty cool/warm. 81' deep! Once again, how cool is that? It's now on my scuba diving site list; I will let you know what lurks beneath... if I survive, that is. read more

It is a hole, with water....but it's beautiful. We saw a sign for this off an exit of 1-40 and decided to stop. Glad we did, it was quite beautiful. We stayed for a while and admired it. It was crystal clear blue, and it was fall so the orange tree reflected in the water. We walked all around the area, saw some neat stuff. I've never been out west, it felt very...desert-y. Very cool. It's really hard to find with the lack of signs, and because it's very small and hard to see from the road. Keep looking, stop 15 minutes and enjoy part of nature. read more

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This stop on the way from Amarillo Texas to Albuquerque NM was worth it! For ten bucks we got to swim, cool off, and take a break from the road. If you're adventurous and think that leaping off a rock 20 feet into a 61 degree natural swimming hole sounds awesome, then stop here. If not, there isn't much to see and might not be work the stop. But we loved it! read more

It really is clear blue water! There are steps to walk right into the water, plus it's deep enough to jump off of the rocks along the side. Really well kept place with picnic tables. It's not really big so during better weather it might be crowded but for sure worth the stop. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Blue hole from rocks you can jump off of. - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

This is one of the places that you don't want to wait to see till you get old or make it part of your bucket list. You really would enjoy to visit now while you are young so that you can jump from the top of the hill and dive into the beautiful crystal clears waters of the blue hole. Water is about 55 degrees down there, but is worth the shot! read more

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We pass through Santa Rosa often and finally stopped to see the Blue Hole phenomenon. We only dipped our feet in since I was alone with my 1 year old. It was definitely refreshing and very blue! It's a pretty little place to stop and see. We went right when it opened and there were only a couple of people there. There's ample parking and picnic tables too. read more

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Nothing used to be tore up but now all of its natural surrounding beauty is gone Now it about the almighty dollar. This used to be the best place to go but now it's just a 3 Ring Circus! read more

Well...it's a hole...with some water...tada! In all seriousness, I did think this was beautiful and I was glad we stopped, but it's tiny and a little less magnificent than I thought it was going to be. I honestly have no decent photos from this spot since pictures just can't show the depth or the blueness of the water. Also, they have some really ugly looking buoys floating in it because it's a popular scuba diving spot, so that really takes away from it's natural beauty (I understand that they need to be there for the safety of the divers, but boo). You can take the plunge if you're feeling adventurous, but don't be an idiot and jump from any of the side ledges like we saw some people doing. They have a nice high rock that you can safely dive from instead. Be smart and use that - unless concussions are your thing. read more

The only reason that you go here, is to go diving (though apparently tour companies also drop people off to go swimming as well). Know that they charge you to park here each day, and they also charge you to go diving here as well. That being said, for some place that collects money on a regular basis, you'd imagine that they'd take better care of their facilities, but they don't. The restrooms next to the Blue Hole weren't maintained, cleaned, or nice. In addition to that, the staff is not proactive, they didn't open the gates until 8:30am or so, and to get a diving permit, you had to wander around until you were able to find an unlocked door, and hope that someone was manning the desk. For a place that injects a significant amount of money into the town, one would think that they would better maintain the location. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - The Blue Hole - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

We had a good time at the blue hole, short time but fun. It was about 6.30pm when we arrived, no fee for parking or to get in, pretty much no one there. We got our numbers mixed up and thought it was 81F year round...its 61F...we were prepared for a swim!! It was a little cold breezy yesterday too, but we still jumped in!! The scary part was not seeing the bottom. Obviously from the sign you know it's deep but it's still scary not seeing how far away the ground is. The water was cold but if we had of roughed it out and stayed in it would have been ok but we jumped straight out and got dry. read more

We didn't get in but stopped to check it out and get some pics, looks like great fun! Note that there is a $5 parking fee, even if you stay just a few mins for pics. read more

Absolutely loved it! This is a once in a lifetime place. Had fun jumping into the freezing water. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Unforgettable place - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Blue Hole was really beautiful and had clean water, looking so enticing to dive in. Although they open at 8am, we unfortunately came during reserved hours for divers. We were just passing through and hoping to get a quick dip in the morning, but the pool was not open to regular swimmers until 10am. Best bet is to call and see first! We ended up paying the $5 to park and see the pool for a few minutes; after dipping my toes in it is definitely chilly! Go on a hot summer day. read more

Extremely unique spot in this arid part of the country. Worth a quick stop. It was very busy on an extremely hot October afternoon. The bathrooms cannot be recommended, I'm sorry to report. read more

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Awesome place to swim and scuba dive. Right off the freeway. I'm stopping here every time I come through. read more

A fun stop on a long trip! Loved the photo op - wish it had been warmer so we could've taken the plunge! read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico

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Blue Hole is one of the better spots in the 5 state area to get your scuba open water dives done. The clarity is excellent and the water is completely replaced every 6 hours or so due to a constant 3000 gallons per minute of inflow. Water temps are in the low 60s year round which means it's wetsuit weather if you're planning on sustained exposure. You can probably get away with a swimsuit if it's hot outside. There is lots of parking which is nice. The scuba shop is literally next door and great for tank fills and other services. read more

Blue Hole Recreation Spot - Recreation Centers Near Me - Santa Rosa, New Mexico