Our Impressions of Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa claim to fame is Historic Route 66 and the Blue Hole. We had read about the Blue Hole and were curious to see it. It seems that when I-40 was built, Santa Rosa lost population and business. There is access to fishing and swimming is everywhere!
Attractions
Geographically Santa Rosa is in the north central region of New Mexico on I-40 and Historic Route 66. The town website says: “Santa Rosa is two hours from almost anywhere in New Mexico.”
Blue Hole
This is what drew us to Santa Rosa. We have always read about this amazing clear water area that is considered one of the premier scuba diving locations in the country. The Blue Hole is 60’ wide, 81’ deep, with a water outflow of 3,000 gallons per minute. It has a constant temperature of 61 degrees year round. It is one of seven sister lakes all interconnected underground. When we were there, there were probably 40 divers! Open to swimmers.
Blue Hole Fishing Pond
There is a fishing pond several hundred yards south of the Blue Hole. It is free for children under age 11, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Sunfish, bluegill, catfish, large mouth bass and rainbow trout are plentiful.
Blue Hole Water Park
A few hundred yards from the fishing pond is a water park with numerous on land water features. There are probably 10 or 15 inflatable attractions on the water to swim to or slide on. I can imagine how busy this is in the summer!
Route 66 Auto Museum
This is a small Route 66 museum and gift shop with probably 20 vintage cars. Some are for sale, some are on loan and some are on display by the museum. It was enjoyable walking around and looking at the old cars and other memorabilia from a bygone time.
Santa Rosa State Park
Located just south of Santa Rosa is the Santa Rosa State Park. There are RV sites, a boat ramp, two docks, picnic shelters, wildlife viewing and a playground. It is a big boating and fishing lake. Four miles long and 3 miles wide with a depth of 30-40 feet.
Food and Drink
There were few options for local food in the area. As a big bonus the campground actually had its own bbq restaurant! Call the office between 4:30 and 6 for delivery to your door of bbq brisket, ribs and fried catfish! Large portions, reasonably priced! How convenient!
Home Base: The Campground
For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Except for water, electric and sewer rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers!
We stayed on site 12 at the Santa Rosa Campground in Santa Rosa. 30 and 50 amp service were available. The campground was clean, quiet and well maintained. Our full hook up (water-sewer-electric) site was on level gravel. The pull through site was just barely long enough for the RV and the Jeep perpendicular to the RV. There was good cell phone coverage (Verizon) and an open southern sky for our satellite. Easy off and on I-40. I-40 noise exists but it seems distant.
Fun Facts
- The Blue Hole is an 81-foot-deep, bell-shaped natural pool. The crystal-clear water stays at a refreshing 62 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
- Scuba Destination: Despite being hundreds of miles from the ocean, it attracts divers from all over for training and certification.
- Santa Rosa is a historic stop along U.S. Route 66, featuring vintage neon signs, classic motels like the Sun and Sand, and retro diners.
- Santa Rosa was founded in 1865 as a Spanish homestead named Aqua Negro Chiquita (Little Black Water).
- When the book, The Grapes of Wrath was made into a movie, the director John Ford filmed a scene in Santa Rosa. In the movie, Henry Fonda’s character, Tom Joad, watches a train cross the Pecos River bridge.
- Santa Rosa was also a filming location for Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw, which starred Lynda Carter.
- The author, Rudolfo Anaya grew up in Santa Rosa. His book Bless Me, Ultima is based on the fictional town of Guadalupe, which is inspired by Santa Rosa.
Statistics as of 2026:
| Santa Rosa | |
| Population: | 2,792 |
| Founded: | 1865 |
| Elevation: | 4,616 ft. |
| Average Income: | $48,789 |
| Average Cost of a House: | $253,000 |
| Average Age of the Population: | 35 yrs. |
Website:
https://visitsantarosanm.com/
Summary
Santa Rosa was worth the stop and the visit. There were things to do, especially for children. This is a great place to head to on a hot day!
Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!
Your partners in travel,
Kathryn and Dave
RVing Nomads
It’s a lifestyle
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| • We have visited each town, attraction and restaurant we are writing about. • No person, business or attraction has paid us for an endorsement. • AI has not been used to write any of the content of this blog. • All the photos in this blog were taken by Dave or Kathryn Harrington. |
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