Vault toilets
Public wheelchair-accessible bathroom
40.9 mi
Unnamed Road, Tucumcari, NM 88416
Spring/PondNM
Santa Rosa
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan a Santa Rosa Blue Hole visit with swimmer-hour cautions, parking costs, scuba requirements and visitor-center information. Blue Hole is distinct from nearby Park Lake.
Swimming restriction
Swimmers and divers have different access arrangements. Confirm your activity's hours and follow staff instructions; do not treat scuba access as general swim permission.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Spring/Pond
Access
Designated area only
Fee
Published vehicle parking permit: $15 for Blue Hole and Park Lake. Scuba permits are separate: weekly $25, annual $75. Confirm current charges before traveling.
Best season
Confirm current operations for your chosen date before departure. A dated schedule or historical photograph is not a guarantee of today's conditions
Nearby towns
Albuquerque, Tucumcari, Santa Rosa
Water body
Spring
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Albuquerque, Tucumcari, Santa Rosa
Access location not verified
34.94058, -104.67878
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Choose Blue Hole, not a generic Santa Rosa stop
This listing concerns Blue Hole. Nearby Park Lake and the seasonal water park are different destinations with different admission arrangements. Use the city tourism guide to select the right activity.
Resolve the schedule before leaving
The published timetable contains an overlap between weekday opening and a diver-only period. Call the visitor center instead of guessing which applies. A scuba permit does not settle the arrival rules for a casual swimmer.
Keep dive requirements separate
The operator requires divers to sign in, present photo identification and a current certification card, and display their permit bands. Read the complete requirements with your dive provider. This guide does not instruct visitors to explore submerged passages.
Why the gallery is still pending
We found a town-level photo match rather than Blue Hole imagery. Those pictures would misrepresent the destination, so they were withheld. A correctly matched gallery is more useful than filling this page with unrelated scenery.
Getting There
Select Blue Hole itself in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, not a generic town result or Park Lake. Confirm arrival and parking instructions with the visitor center. This retained historical point is not a verified entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Published swimmer hours: weekdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends noon to 7 p.m.; a separate diver-only 6 a.m. to noon note overlaps weekdays. Call to resolve your intended arrival time. Alcohol and cannabis are prohibited.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Swimmers and divers have different access arrangements. Confirm your activity's hours and follow staff instructions; do not treat scuba access as general swim permission. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Tucumcari Mountain
Hiking area
57 mi
3 (12)
48M2+8C, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Truck Parking- Love's
Parking lot
57.3 mi
4.8 (4)
1808 S Mountain Rd, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Mountain Road RV Park
RV park
57.3 mi
4.3 (314)
1701 S Mountain Rd, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Picnic tablesPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Love's Travel Stop
Truck stop
57.3 mi
3.5 (968)
1900 S Mountain Rd, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Wi-Fi
Blaze-in-Saddle RV Park
RV park
57.9 mi
4.8 (852)
2500 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Picnic tablesPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Tucumcari / Route 66 KOA Journey
Campground
59.4 mi
4.2 (1001)
6299 Quay Rd A L, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Pit toilet
Public bathroom
72.4 mi
5 (1)
7500 Quay Rd Af, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Rosa
Is Blue Hole the same as Park Lake?
No. Plan the destination and admission arrangement separately; do not assume one activity's ticket includes another.
Can I arrive during the diver-only period to swim?
Do not assume so. Call the visitor center to confirm the schedule for your intended activity.
Why are there no town photos in this gallery?
The reviewed town collection did not establish Blue Hole identity. It was withheld rather than used as a misleading substitute.
Highlights
A spring destination distinct from Park Lake
Separate swimmer and scuba planning
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump or attempt underwater passages based on a photograph
- Certified scuba access is not a recommendation for casual diving or cave exploration
- Leave the water if you cannot remain comfortable or in control
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historically, Santa Rosa has been a stop along the famed Route 66, serving as a waypoint for travelers in search of adventure. The swimming hole may have spiritual significance for Native American tribes who once inhabited the area.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Gallery pending a correct Blue Hole place match. The saved Santa Rosa town collection was withheld after inspection revealed unrelated lake, courthouse and highway imagery.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Use authorized routes, leave plants and rocks in place and take litter away. Respect neighboring property and the privacy of other visitors.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Confirm current operations for your chosen date before departure. A dated schedule or historical photograph is not a guarantee of today's conditions.
Difficulty Level
Do not equate nearby parking with an easy swim. Assess your swimming ability and choose a visit that does not require entering the water if conditions are unsuitable.
Fee
Published vehicle parking permit: $15 for Blue Hole and Park Lake. Scuba permits are separate: weekly $25, annual $75. Confirm current charges before traveling.
Facilities
Ask about the currently usable walking and water-entry route. Planned accessibility improvements do not establish a completed accessible swimming entry.
Activities
Permitted swimming and separately regulated scuba diving
Phone
575-472-3763
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No overnight parking at Blue Hole. Arrange accommodation separately rather than treating the parking permit as an overnight pass.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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