All 9 of my boys and their friends jumped off the cliff into the cold waterthe sign said 61degrees but the boys swear colder we met two separate groups from england that were in the u. Known today as the blue hole, the old quarry supplied much of the rock used to build galvestons sea wall after a hurricane slammed the city in 1900one of the worst natural disasters to hit the north american continent. It takes approximately 6 to 6 12 hours from denver. Friends of blue hole is founded as a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated solely to supporting the blue hole regional park. This wonder defines santa rosa even as it seems to defy the surrounding red mesas. Aug 19, 2017 as we traveled to nm last may a local man told us to stop and see the blue hole. The blue hole in santa rosa, new mexico, whose end is. Situated in santa rosa, this motel is within a 15minute walk of st. In santa rosa, nm, off the main path, and tucked away in a quiet little part of town, lies the blue hole. Santa rosa, the city of natural lakes, lies in the semiarid, upper pecos river valley in guadalupe county where numerous natural artesianspring lakes abound.
Deep in east texas, near the angelinajasper county line, an old rock quarry has found a place in texas history. Van life the blue hole santa rosa, new mexico duration. The blue hole of santa rosa is a circular, bellshaped pool east of santa rosa, new mexico that is one of the most popular dive destinations in the us for scuba diving and training. Santa rosa, new mexico, known as the city of natural lakes, is called thus due the many natural lakes and streams of the area. If youre looking for things to do in the area, you might want to stop in and see route 66 auto museum and st. Aug 26, 2017 a technical diver from dahab, omar began exploring the blue hole in 1992, fascinated by tales of a curse laid upon it when an unwilling party to an arranged marriage drowned herself there. I wonder if anyone has dived all the worlds blue holes.
Blue hole, santa rosa nm is a shore accessible fresh water dive site, located in santa rosa, nm. Blue hole the blue hole in santa rosa, nm is a natural, bellshaped pool that is 80 feet deep, has astonishing clarity and. Van life the blue holesanta rosa, new mexico duration. Dive into five of the worlds deepest freshwater swimming. There is also an earlier jog circa 1930 past the renowned blue hole. Situated where the great plains rise up to meet the rocky mountains, lies this startling oasis, amid the red mesas of the flatlands. Every year, over 3,000 students do open water check out dives at the blue hole.
Santa rosa blue hole, new mexico charismatic planet. Santa rosa is located 114 miles east of albuquerque on i40 and 170. Blue hole s training platforms at 20 and 25 feet and scuba instructors help educate novice divers. Visit santa rosa summer fun 2 hours from most anywhere. Park in santa rosa, nm foursquare uses cookies to provide you with an optimal experience, to personalize ads that you may see, and to help advertisers measure the results of their ad campaigns. The blue hole of santa rosa is a circular, bell shaped pool east of santa rosa, new mexico that is one of the most popular dive destinations in the us for scuba diving and training. Several smaller locally owned hotels along the main streets in santa rosa were also part of. Visit new mexico true adventures blue hole facebook. Swim at blue hole in santa rosa, blue hole santa rosa. Santa rosa blue hole santa rosa, new mexico atlas obscura. The blue hole is an artesian well that was once used as a fish hatchery and has since been converted into the southwests most popular dive training site. Santa rosa, new mexico city of natural lakes legends. Dec, 2018 blue hole cave, new mexico traveling cst our family vlog.
Divers must consider blue hole a high altitude dive, and understand the complex reactions of decompression illness. On the surface, it looks like a nice little swimming hole, which it also is, especially in the summer. Blue hole appears in the midst of the arid high mesas 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. The blue hole is super easy and quick to get to off of i40. Blue hole santa rosa 2020 all you need to know before. It is a popular diving site which is actually a submarine sinkhole. Claiming there were safety concerns, the president of the california northwestern steam railroad. Santa rosa, 90 miles 145 kilometers outside of the capital of the state, santa fe, is where youll find it. I mean i know of two in florida alone and im not an expert or anything. Blue hole state park in santa rosa, new mexico usa today.
Visit blue hole on your trip to santa rosa or united states. Located just off of the famous route 66 in new mexicos arid climes is the santa rosa blue hole, a natural swimming hole that has a hidden system of underwater caves which were unexplored until 20. Its always good to have a variety of options when youre picking a room, and with about 14 hotels only 2 miles 3 kilometers from blue hole, you are sure to find something close. No tourist attraction though, just a deep swimming hole. Santa rosa is the largest city in californias redwood empire, wine country and the north bay. As you go down into the void, the cave expands from 82 feet in diameter to 330 feet. The santa rosa blue hole is very famous in and around cave diving communities. Blue hole road santa rosa, new mexico 88435 usa mailing address. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions. The lady bird johnson wildflower center is chosen to develop a master plan.
Jan 08, 2014 the santa rosa blue hole might not look like much compared to other blue holes on this list, but the swimming hole located off of route 66 in new mexico has a secret. Americas best value inn 120 highway 54 i40 exit 273 contact. The fact that springs exist in this area is not uncommon. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to blue hole. The belize blue hole, also called the great blue hole, is among the most iconic dive spots in the nation. Bad news from santa rosa blue hole page 6 scubaboard. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. It is hard to comprehend that a gem such as this isnt preserved at the state or national level, but the locals are proud of their spring. Mar 21, 2018 blue hole dive center is an 80footdeep well along route 66 in northeastern new mexico. Several people in town suggested we stop at the blue hole. Whether youre baitcasting, fly fishing or spinning your chances of getting a bite here are good. Here in santa rosa, the city of lakes, the elevation is 4600 feet. You see signs for the blue hole throughout santa rosa, but i had never taken the time to see it.
We took his advice and it ended up being a really cool experience. The state parks visitor center, high on an overlooking bluff, displays the areas history as well as the creation of the dam. The blue hole in santa rosa, nm is a natural, bellshaped pool that is 80 feet deep, has astonishing clarity and a constant water temperature of 61 degrees, with one of the worlds deepest artesian springs constantly refilling the hole. Santa rosa spanish for saint rose is a city in and the county seat of sonoma county. Jul 26, 2017 blue hole, santa rosa, new mexico suesmith2 istock standing in stark contrast to the muted sands of the surrounding desert, the blue hole sits 115 miles east of albuquerque. When we dive at the blue hole in santa rosa, new mexico, the most common question that nondivers ask is, whats on the bottom. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle.
Nevertheless, this book is an important resource for postcard collectors and san francisco bay area history buffs. Just about two hours east of albuquerque in santa rosa, this popular summer retreat offers a great place to cool off and enjoy the refreshing reservoir. Once you park it is about a 23 minute walk to the swimming hole. Oct 31, 2010 the blue hole of santa rosa is a circular, bell shaped pool east of santa rosa, new mexico that is one of the most popular dive destinations in the us for scuba diving and training. Top divers death casts long shadow over deep beauty of the. Santa rosa is a historic city well known for its many excursions and restaurants. The notoriety of the blue hole in dahab as possibly the most deadly dive site on earth doesnt serve to keep divers away, but rather to attract them in the same way the challenge of climbing everest or kilimanjaro appeals to mountaineers. Easy route to reach the blue hole, take i25 south past las vegas, new mexico. It is a clear blue body of water with a constant 64 f 18 c temperature and constant inflow of 3000 gallons per minute. Santa rosa visitor info center 1085 blue hole rd santa. Rare photos not appropriate for history books duration.
To connect downtown santa rosa with the trolley already running between petaluma and sebastopol, the electric railway the orange line on map, at right had to cross the steam railroads tracks blue line at sebastopol avenue, shown by the arrow. The water temperature is in the low 60s so if you plan to swim, plan. The mysterious blue hole, a natural 80 foot deep pool, attracts scuba divers to a crystal clear bellshaped wonder. Visit santa rosa summer fun 2 hours from most anywhere in.
The santa rosa blue hole might not look like much compared to other blue holes on this list, but the swimming hole located off of route 66 in new mexico has a secret. Surrounded by a semiarid land of broad mesas and vast expanses of ranchland, blue hole is truly a desert oddity. Lifeguards were there but really could have cared less about what you were doing. Santa rosa, new mexico city of natural lakes legends of. Situated where the great plains rise up to meet the rocky mountains, lies this startling oasis, amid the red mesas of the flatlands founded in 1865, the town began as nothing more than a large spanish rancho and was called aqua negro chiquita. Blue hole belize great blue hole nm interesting facts. Santa rosas history offer an unforgettable, memorable and fascinating journey back in time. About new mexicos route 66 page 2 legends of america. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of our cookies as described in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Like several other natural pools of its similar types, the santa rosa blue hole is a small body of water that seems to fill a surprisingly deep hole in the ground with shockingly clear waters. This geological wonder defines santa rosa even as it seems to defy the surrounding red mesas.
Blue hole, one of these lakes located within the city limits, is well known for its crystalclear water and attracts scuba divers. I grabbed my gear and rented a few tanks from stella salazar at the santa rosa dive center, conveniently located next door to the spring. There were divers practicing, people jumping off the rocks, others just swimming, and many onlookers. The history of diving at santa rosa blue hole is storied and tragic. Blue hole appears in the midst of the desert like a great blue gem. Nothing can prepare you for how cold the water is, but jumping off the cliff into it is so much fun. The blue hole is located in santa rosa, new mexico and there are several routes to take. The rio grande has big and little arsenic and other new mexico rivers have both hot and cold springs. But for the deepest blue hole in the sea, you have to head to the bahamas in a bay west of clarence town on long island.
Mar 15, 2020 we stayed in santa rosa on our way to colorado. The blue hole of santa rosa is a circular, bellshaped pool east of santa rosa, new mexico that is one of the most popular dive destinations in the us for. Route 66 treasure enjoyed watching crazy people jumping into the blue hole in windy below freezing temperatures. Friends of the santa rosa libraries sonoma county library. Flowing at a constant rate of 3000 gallons a minute, the clear blue waters remain at a chilly 61 degrees. I grabbed my gear and rented a few tanks from stella salazar at the santa rosa dive center, conveniently located next door to. Santa rosa visitor info center 244 south 4th street santa rosa, nm 884352323 usa. Dropoffs donations may be dropped off in the green area near the service entrance at the back of the downtown central library, 211 e street between 3rd. Dive into five of the worlds deepest freshwater swimming holes. Blue hole of santa rosa, santa rosa nm roadtrippers.
Blue hole, santa rosa, new mexico suesmith2 istock standing in stark contrast to the muted sands of the surrounding desert, the blue hole sits 115 miles east of albuquerque. In new mexico, the blue hole has been an attraction for centuries. We decided to answer the question when i tried out my new camera. Blue hole santa rosa 2020 all you need to know before you. North bay corporation, which includes santa rosa recyling and collection at 7075861478. On the east of santa rosa blue hole, theres bellshaped pool called blue hole located off route 66 in new mexico. Santa rosa history sonoma county history told through. Diver brett hemphill of the adm exploration foundation explains to santa rosa mayor albert e. The ariddesert diving destination gained popularity in the 1930s when route 66 opened in. Santa rosa blue hole expedition adm exploration foundation. Agua negra chiquita once known as blue lake, it is one of seven sister lakes connected. Deans blue hole is a flooded sinkhole 663 feet deep, nearly twice as deep as the blue hole average of 360 feet. Beautiful spring this is a beautiful spring of water in the desert. Our most famous lake, blue hole, became a national fish hatchery in 1932, then, in the seventies, it was designated the.
Blue hole swimming hole, new mexico suesmith2 istock. The belize blue hole isnt only the most unique area in the earth, but is also the only blue hole that may be understood from space. The blue hole is an artesian well that was once used as a fish hatchery. A clear blue swimming hole that has hidden unexplored caves for over 40 years. Stop in at josephs restaurant, built in 1956 for a little refreshment. But, in the midst of a new mexico summer, where temps are a consistent 100 degrees, the blue hole is the place to be. After the meeting, i went out and saw the blue hole its rather nondescript.
In santa rosa, travelers will find that will rogers drive is the citys fourmile stretch of route 66. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Contact your local refuse company for more information in santa rosa. Not just for drivers wanting to get out of the fast lane or divers to get on down, its also listed as one of the top 10 au natural swimming holes in the u. Legend has it that outlaw billy the kid would take a dip at the swimming hole before heading into santa rosa. Blue hole dive center is an 80footdeep well along route 66 in northeastern new mexico. The blue hole in santa rosa, new mexico visibility is. Santa rosa dive center 1085 blue hole rd santa rosa, nm. However, in 1976, two university of oklahoma state students drowned shortly after straying from their open water class and entering the labyrinth of passages deep inside the blue hole cave system. The santa rosa lake state park sits seven miles from blue hole and offers lake swimming, snorkeling, camping, mountain biking and hiking. Fresh water, showers and toilets make camping in the park a convenient destination after a day of diving at blue hole. Santa rosa route 66 airport is a public use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of santa rosa, a town in guadalupe county, new mexico, united states.