Cancel

Open app

Search

Install the Yelp app
Continue your search on the app. It’s easier!

Continue to mobile site

Bowlin Travel Centers

3.3 (37 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

Bowlin Travel Centers Photos

You might also consider

More like Bowlin Travel Centers

Recommended Reviews - Bowlin Travel Centers

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Fake Silver Ring Purchased Here
Katelyn L.

I love this place and love shopping here, but my SILVER & TURQUOISE ring was FAKE. I paid OVER $300 for it. Within 24 HOURS of gifting it to someone they let me know that THEIR FINGER TURNED GREEN and the inside material has rubbed off. I even explained it to the clerk that it was supposed to be a wedding ring. They even gave me a certificate of authenticity! My fiancé and I have split, but I still gave him the ring to wear on a different finger. But sent me a picture and you could clearly see the initial layer rubbed off. I am so pissed because I come to this place every time I pass by, which is not very often. Oh, and I love the fact that they have no return policy to boot. I am not rich by any means and I work hard for my money just to be scammed like that. I'm pissed.

The fireworks are a little pricey but probably the best deals you get in the state. Plus they carry more brands than just the usual TNT or black cat. They seem to care a lot about keeping their customers.

Outside
Bee W.

It was time for lunch and a break so when he saw the multitude of signage for this place he decided we should stop. It was a cool multi-store. A Dairy Queen, gift store, fireworks store and gas station. I had a chili cheese dog meal with medium fries and a drink. I wanted a small chocolate shake and the server offered to substitute my drink for that which I appreciated. He had a quarter pound cheeseburger meal with cheese curds. The food was average. Not all the cheese was melted on my chili dog and the dog itself tasted like it had been sitting there for a while. The restrooms in the store were not bad considering the amount of traffic it seemed to have. There were lots of cool metal decor and signage in the gift area. And unique items I haven't seen before. American Indian attire, souvenir tshirts, moccasins and other Knick knacks. There was a convenience store for snacks and drinks as well. And three packed shelving units of fireworks. Something for everyone. The service was polite and the store clean. The DQ area could have been cleaner but it appeared as if they couldn't keep up even with the many people working behind the counter. Some customers were angry that the Coke dispenser had no coke syrup mixed in. But for us it was a nice break at an interesting store.

Mirrors.
Rok J.

Lots of typical tourist stop souvenirs and kitsch at usual prices, plus fireworks. You don't shop for bargains here, but for road trip momentos you buy with "vacation money" that doesn't count. Staff is fun & friendly!

Exxon is now Marathon. Yet signs still up.
Henry J.

No longer an exxon. Yet signs still up and still liated as exxon on app. Also no longer accepting mobil/exx9n rewards

Fireworks!
Bekah C.

Pretty cool here! Lots of little knick knacks! Got a few state magnets od the states we are going to! The bathrooms were pretty cool, little Texas doors that looked like saloon ones lol the fireworks are the best part!! They have ALOT! Aisles and aisles of them!! My son got two firework swords! Gaww I love not being in cali! The freedom

The middle of nowhere...
Liz X.

PSST!!! Check out my photos...they are definitely worth more than the typed tripe down below... So driving along Interstate 40 going East starting at Barstow and then studded by Needles, Flagstaff, Gallup, and finally Albuquerque, you don't really see much except for desert, rock formations, and some random fake-me-out tepees and shanties selling so-called Native American souvenirs. Oh...and you see the occasional shops that literally sell rocks as well. BUT, as the sun always rises, you can rely on an institution of Americana, the Dairy Queen. How is it that I've never been to a DQ my 8 years in LA, but have been to 3 so far on my short trip? Well, that's because there is a DQ about every 90 (at least) miles or so. And thank the good lord, because where else are you gonna pee and treat your fat ass to a Blizzard? Well, this DQ at the Bluewater Outpost is even more special. It is so outrageous that I had to surreptitiously take photos and keep from laughing out loud. First off, the clever ad-men (I'm guessing these aren't the guys from Saatchi and Saatchi) start you salivating for a Blizzard about 10 miles before you hit the place with billboard after numbing bright, yellow billboard (in the Las Vegas style of trying to get you to go to whichever $5.99 breakfast buffet or steak and eggs deals). But guess what? It worked on me! You get off the 40 and you turn left on to a dusty road leading to a dusty parking lot. Across the way is a dusty parking lot for RVs and semi's....how considerate. There is literally NOTHING else there. That's it. Now it looks like a rather large red-roofed DQ from the outside, but step inside, children and behold the spectacle that awaits you. Try not to cry when you see some of the more creepy souvenirs: there was an amazingly life-like bunny (you know, I have a thing for bunnies) in the stuffed animals section so I reached out to touch it...and it was HARD. I think it was a taxidermy-ed bunny....ewwww!!!! Over to the left is a section that is not partitioned off with fake wood-paneled booths and the DQ counter. I will admit that I did get a Reese's peanut butter cup Blizzard (my favorite) and the girl who made my Blizzard actually turned the cup upside down and shook it to show me how thick it was. That alone right there makes this a 5-star institution! I walked around the store savoring every last bit of my supremely thick Blizzard while perusing the paraphernalia. The Outpost offered up everything from $9.99 leather vests to those Southwestern-motif-ed scratchy blankets/ponchos to .925 Sterling Silver (don't know what .925 means) jewelry to wood carved seals and other creatures (that are clearly NOT endemic to the Southwest) to FIREWORKS!!!! Tchotchkes galore! A Midwestern mom's delight! Chili pepper souvenirs! In the immortal words of Depeche Mode, I just can't get enough. After living in seemingly cosmopolitan big cities, one can tend to get jaded; we're always looking for the next hip thing and it can get a little contrived and suck the lifeblood out of you. And then it's all about conformity in it's own little ironic way, isn't it? It's the little places like this that bring you back down to earth. I LOVE that places like this still exist...a return to shameless good old fashioned capitalism that isn't shrouded in uber-chic packaging and trying to trick all of us who only THINK that we're clever.

See all

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Lot's of fun and interesting stuff!!! Good place to stop and find some eats, gifts, and souvenirs... Bathrooms need a little work :(

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Stopped by here to look for NM and AZ magnets but didn't find any that struck our fancy. Left empty handed.

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Chelsi B.
382
1039
11658

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 22
Thanks 4
Love this 19
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ana P.
301
498
7417

7 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Jenna G.
23
19
14

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kim L.
36
89
230

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

19 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0
Photo of Dan R.
96
1614
5633

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Nice place to stop. Very clean restrooms, snacks, t-shirts, fireworks, all reasonably priced. Friendly folks

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Gehan K.
65
182
15

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ash W.
142
4
0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Don't stop here, overpriced and they will try to take you for a sucker! They own 10 of these in NM, if it says Bowlin avoid it!

Business owner information

Photo of Gina P.

Gina P.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

What great customer service. The ladies so helpful. Found some great sales too! Always good to have an ice cream after shopping.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Bowlin Travel Centers

Review Highlights - Bowlin Travel Centers

“BUT, as the sun always rises, you can rely on an institution of Americana, the Dairy Queen.”

Mentioned in 8 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Chaco Travel Center - Another view of everything

Chaco Travel Center

(15 reviews)

$$

Pretty big parking lot here, and plenty of pumps. When I swung by there were plenty of employees…read morehelping out in the jewelry shop and two employees sweeping the parking lot around the pumps. The bathroom was small but clean. There is a restaurant attached but I didn't eat here so I don't know if it was any good.

This review is for the Marathon gas station only. The restaurant was amazing. Ate at the Kiva diner…read moreand then went to fill up the tank. All pumps were full, but one had an empty car parked with bumper even with the middle of the pump. The assumption was that someone decided to run inside, so my husband backed bumper to bumper and began fueling. He was nearly finished when Eric, the extremely rude pump jocky, came up to my husband and started shouting that the pump had a leak, and that was why the car was parked there. My husband explained that he saw no leak and assumed that the owner of the car had gone into the store. He mumbled a few things as he went around the front of our car and as he approached my door, I heard him call my husband an effing a-hole (right in front of me and my daughter). I opened my door, got out and said, "Excuse me, what did you call him?" He repeated himself loudly and told us to "go back to Texas, "along with other things directed at my husband, who was now angry at Eric for shouting at me. I involved a female manager whose name, unfortunately, I forgot to get in all the chaos. At first, she was apathetic and didn't even want to come to the pump so I could show her where the car was parked and explain the misunderstanding, but she eventually came out and basically shrugged it off, including the cussing and shouting, and said she sided with Eric. I don't believe in the saying that the customer is always right, but an employee should never use that language and shout at a customer unless the customer started it. My advice to Eric and the manager, Shouting and cussing at customers costs business, paper, marker and tape to write "out of order", priceless!!! At the very least, park the car directly in front of the pump or perhaps invest in a traffic cone. But I guess a sign and/or traffic cone makes too much sense for the senseless. We won't be back, and it's a shame. The attached restaurant was quite good.

Flying J - Back of truck stop

Flying J

(55 reviews)

$$

Pilot/Flying J rest stops are the best ! This is a great one. Dennys, Subway, and more are here…read more Did I mention $2.89 for regular unleaded gas? The same stuff costs $4.69 in San Diego, thanks to our wonderful CA politicians. Taxes, my friend.

We've stopped here for over a decade on our annual road trip. We've always considered this a…read morefavorite stop for the variety of amenities, snacks, toys for the kiddo, etc. I don't know what's changed recently but it's bad enough I felt compelled to warn others here. I would avoid this spot and pick something in Gallup instead, if you can. The Subway needs a complete restaffing. I can't even clearly articulate how slow and just bizarre going to this Subway has been. One guy put ham when we said turkey, then went to toast it without the cheese on it and when we called it out, he lifted up the meat to check under to be sure he didn't put cheese under there? He kept taking his gloves off, using hand sanitizer, going in the back, then returning and putting new gloves on. He did this several times for reasons unknown. Today's employee stood in silence while a customer wasn't paying attention and instead of asking him what toppings he'd like, she just stood there in silence staring at him. Another customer had to call attention to them both. Then she wrapped the sub slower than molasses on a winter's day. Mind you, there were 2 other employees in the back while she was left alone with the lunch rush (4 customers in line). Once you give up at the Subway after 15+ minutes and go check out the pizza counter, you realize there are 6+ people in line and half of them are waiting for some certain pizza to come out of the oven. If you give up and go to the premade food section, you realize there are no condiments out for the packaged sandwiches, so you have to go back to the hot food counter to ask anyone who will make eye contact with you for mayo/mustard. 3 different racks of coffee creamer and sugars, but no condiments. Cool. The Cinnabon had trays of fresh baked cinnamon rolls, but the register had a "closed" sign with no employee present. I went to the front to politely ask if someone could help me at the Cinnabon counter and for a split second, the employee seemed like it was one of the worst things I could've asked her (there were no other customers checking out at that point). She offered me a pre-packed, dried up cinnamon roll she found behind the counter, instead. I asked if I could get one of the warm, fresh ones while gesturing back to the trays of fresh rolls. She said "You can heat it up." Miss ma'am lol... We are done with this spot. RIP 1 giant crossing. More like 1 giant frustration.

Bowlin Travel Centers - jewelry - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...