Santa Rosa, New Mexico, known as the City of Natural Lakes, is located in Guadalupe County in the northeast part of the state. This oasis of water in the middle of the desert is a popular tourist town.
Located on the banks of the Pecos River, this Spanish settlement first emerged in 1865 under the name Aqua Negra Chiquita, meaning little black water. The name Santa Rosa came into play in 1890 and is connected to Catholic saint, St. Rose of Lima, Peru.
Santa Rosa offers 12 spring-fed lakes, the largest swimming pool in the Southwest, Santa Rosa Lake State Park, the Route 66 Auto Museum, the Santa Rosa Golf Course and Blue Hole as area attractions. The historic adobe village of Puerto de Luna is just 10 miles south of Santa Rosa. Swimming, fishing, boating , canoeing, hiking and camping are additional activities to explore.
With 19 hotels, four RV parks, a campground and 17 restaurants, accommodations and dining options are plentiful. Included in the restaurants are seven family-owned cafes and diners.
