Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located in two separate sections in central Chaves County, New Mexico, United States, a few miles northeast of the city of Roswell.

Where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake is one of the most biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River basin.

Erosion of gypsum by this underground water has caused many sinkholes, some of which have become very deep lakes that are home to unique species.

The water level in these lakes is managed by park personnel and is adjusted throughout the year to accommodate the different species of birds that migrate to the refuge.

[3] Bird activity varies year-round with Bitter Lake serving as a refuge for migrating species.