The Pecos River flows southeast through Guadalupe County. Water also shapes experiences at lakes and dive sites; in Santa Rosa, historic buildings and traces of Route 66 tell other stories of the region. You can plan your explorations around the landscape, activities or history.
Lakes, River and Dive Sites
Santa Rosa Lake State Park is situated on a reservoir in the plains of eastern New Mexico. Activities available there include fishing, boating, camping, hiking and birdwatching. Horses are welcome at Los Tanos Campground. These offerings bring together different ways to spend time outdoors—from time on the water to hiking and birdwatching.
At Blue Hole, diving courses are offered from the open-water level through diving instructor training. Below ground, Blue Hole is connected to an extensive network of water sources. The Blue Hole Visitor Center has exhibits, changing rooms, restrooms, merchandise for sale, a viewing area and free internet. As course offerings and facilities may change, check the latest information before your visit.
Blue Hole Fishing Pond also has its own offerings: fishing opportunities are available there for children under eleven, seniors and people with disabilities. Applicable participation requirements may change, so check them before your visit. If you want to compare fishing and diving, Perch Lake near Santa Rosa offers different options. You can fish with baitcasting, spinning or fly-fishing gear there. A twin-engine airplane also lies submerged at a depth of 55 feet. The lake is used primarily for advanced scuba diving training.
Another body of water is the spring-fed lake at Janes Wallace Memorial Park and Power Dam, on the southern edge of Santa Rosa. Fishing for trout, catfish and bass is available there. At Park Lake, pedal boats and paddling are available, along with a waterslide; operations may vary by season. An inflatable obstacle course is one of the attractions at Santa Rosa Water Park.
Tres Lagunas Golf Course is located on a rocky mesa. Its grounds include well-maintained tees and greens, as well as water features. Those interested in the landscape and golf will find a different perspective on the surrounding area here than at the lakes or along the Pecos River.
Route 66 and History in Santa Rosa
The historic Route 66 ran through Santa Rosa in 1930. Old signs and buildings dating from the road’s heyday still shape the town’s historic character. The Pecos Theatre also combines architectural history with Route 66: the restored movie theater dates to the 1940s and is associated with the road. A train scene for the film adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” was shot at the Pecos River Bridge.
Other historic sites include Old St. Rose of Lima, a chapel built in 1879 that survives today as a ruin. Check the current conditions at the site before visiting. Park Lake Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996; the Jesus M. Casaus House in Santa Rosa is also listed, since 1982.
Architecture and Local Chile Culture
The Guadalupe County Courthouse in Santa Rosa is a two-story building dating to 1909. Designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, it features details in dressed sandstone. Its architectural significance lies in this style. Another example of the area’s architectural history is the Alexander Grzelachowski House and Store, considered an exceptionally little-altered example of New Mexico Territorial architecture from the mid-to-late 19th century. It is also historically connected with Puerto de Luna and the town’s commercial life.
The Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse also reflects an earlier economic use: the two-story stone building covers 9,000 square feet and was built in 1901 as a wool warehouse for the railroad. Puerto de Luna is also associated with local cuisine: a distinctive variety of chile has been grown there for more than 100 years and is associated with PDL Chile. Guadalupe County brings together a variety of discoveries for your trip—from bodies of water and outdoor activities to architecture, Route 66 history and chile culture.
Discover more destinations: Santa Rosa, Grant County, Doña Ana, Curry, Quay, Taos, Hidalgo County, Colfax.
Return to the main travel overview: New Mexico.
