Looking to cool off? These New Mexico communities offer swimming and other water fun
The official start of summer is June 21.
For those vacationing in the Land of Enchantment, several must visit communities ― Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Farmington and Ruidoso ― offer plenty of water activities to cool off during the hot months.
Here are some of the water recreation areas across New Mexico.
Carlsbad Water Park
Owned by the City of Carlsbad, the Carlsbad Water Park opened in 2016 and has five water slides, a lazy river and a pool area, according to the City of Carlsbad website.
The Water Park is closed Mondays except on certain holidays such as Labor Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. It is open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and admission is $5 for people ages 4 through 61.
Those under 4 or over the age of 62 are admitted for free. The Water Park is located at 708 Park Drive.
For more information call 575-887-0349.
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Alamogordo Family Recreation Center Seasonal Pool
Owned by the City of Alamogordo and located at 1100 West Oregon Ave., water slides, a nine-foot deep end and a splash pad are features of the Seasonal Pool.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are family swim days.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are public swim days along with 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Cost for public and family swims are $4.
For more information call 575-439-4142.
Ruidoso Public Pool and Grindstone Lake Recreation Area
The Ruidoso Public Pool and the Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake opened May 27, according to the Village of Ruidoso website.
The pool is open daily 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. through Aug. 5 at 515 Sudderth Dr.
Cost is $5 per person for swimming and the water slide.
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The Wibbit Water Park is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Aug. 6.
The Wibbit Water is located at 111 Wiggins Way.
Cost is $20 per person and after Aug. 6, the water park will be open on weekends through Labor Day.
For more information call 575-257-2030.
Located at 111 Wiggins Way, off Resort Drive, Grindstone Lake Recreation Area and Trail System offers fishing, kayaking, paddle boating, hiking, disc golf and picnics are offered, according to the Village of Ruidoso website.
Rainbow trout are a regular feature at the lake. On some occasions anglers have caught catfish and small mouth bass.
Farmington offers various ways to cool off
Located at 1151 North Sullivan Ave. the Farmington Aquatic Center has a 50-meter Olympic size pool, a 150-foot water slide, high and low diving boards and a leisure and playground pool.
From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays public swims are available.
Public swim admission for kids 3 years of age to 9 years of age is $4. Prices for those 10 years and older is $5.
For more information call 505-599-1167.
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Located at 405 North Wall Street, Lions Pool offers indoor water adult events throughout the year, per the City of Farmington website.
Swim lessons, lap swimming and aquacise are some of the activities for adults. Admission is $2.50.
For more information call 505-599-1187.
Located at 1701 North Dustin Avenue, Bisti Bay offers a lazy river, an in-pool playground, spray features, areas for aquatic volleyball and basketball, two large water slides and three lap lanes.
Public swim admissions are $6. Those 2 years of age and under swim free. Lap swims are $2.50.
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Farmington has two water parks open through the end of September, read the City of Farmington website.
The Berg Park Splash Pad and the Orchard Park Plaza Splash Pad are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
There is no admission fee to use either park.
Located at 8020 East Main Street, Lake Farmington offers fishing, swimming and non-motorized watercraft.
The lake is open for public use from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., noted the city website and admission is $1.
The lake host can be reached at 505-258-7146 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Pools, splash pads and Lake Farmington are operated by the City of Farmington.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico communities offer swimming to cool off during summer
