Such a fun playground! Plenty for big and little kids. Beautiful view. Shaded well in the afternoon.read more

Playground on the Pecos…read more.. Loved this playground in Carlsbad, New Mexico. It's situated next to the Pecos River and an exercise path. A bridge is nearby to let the kiddos across to the other side. Free, ample parking is nearby. There were some benches as well as a gazebo with picnic tables within short walking distance for parents. Just a bit further walk away were the restrooms. I highly suggest you bring your own soap or at the least hand sanitizer. Residents came together with an idea for this park - the features correspond with the surrounding environment such as a "caverns" area and a stationary "tic-bat-toe" game. My kids were 8 & 9-years-old when they first visited (10/19/2022) and thought this was a great park. Their favorite areas were the big kid swings, monkey bars, tower lookouts, and tire swing. It has fencing around it, but the gates stay wide open during park hours. It was mostly clean. Please help keep this a safe, clean park.

Entry fee is only $10. Living desert portion is much more extensive than I anticipated. When you…read morecome, be sure to bring suntan lotion and a water bottle. There are a few refilling stations in the center and on the grounds.

I wanted a hiking and an outlook experience and this place did not disappoint. Meandering through…read morethe grounds, there are is an aviary, pond, creature cave, outdoor elk & sheep pen, gardens and more. Lots of panoramic views. Indoors, there are a bunch of displays, restrooms and a gift shop. An easy 1 hour exploration of the grounds. Lots of free parking.

A beautiful waterfall, out in the middle of nowhere. It was about an hour from Carlsbad, & you may…read moreas well plan a half day trip there to make it worth your while It can get very busy, so you will have to explore the creek, & other areas, to find a good spot to sit & relax in the water No gas stations out there, or food of any sort. You are in the middle of nowhere lol service is very spotty, so come prepared. There are bathrooms though, & some shelters with tables if you plan on staying to eat & relax

Best part was the falls. Otherwise windy, unsteady terrain with mid views of a lot of brownread more

Beautiful out in the Desert with Lake Brantley near…read moreoverlooks the lake, beautiful sunset, long drive on tho but if you go, visit the Desert Gardens nearby as well as Carlsbad Caverns!!!

It's very clean and even has a playground for the kids. However for me, it felt too isolated. It's…read moreapprox. 20 min. from town. There are no RV parking spots close to the water. You have to drive down if you plan on fishing or you can hike but it's hot and dry.

Awesome…read more Beautiful dog park! Maintained very nicely, and it's right next to the river. It's somewhat like a community that welcomes all new dog parents. It's awesome to see friendly people and responsible dog parents taking care of their pets and being friendly to all people. The dog park has a section for large dogs and smaller dogs. The larger dog side has obstacle course for doggies to become pros for a puppy bowls lol Try this place even if in passing!

Great dog park! Lots of room to run around and super cute decor. While it is right next to the…read moreriver, there is no water access. Still, you can take your dog for a walk on the leash by the river or let them come inside the gates of the dog park to run around. Parking is on street, but easy. Several large trees for shade, benches for the humans to sit on, and a water fountain from the dogs to drink. Very well maintained with its upkeep. Highly recommend a visit!

Okayyyy, THIS is one of those national park experiences you don't really understand until you're…read moresitting there waiting for sunset and suddenly the sky starts filling with thousands of bats. Every evening during the warmer months, Brazilian free tailed bats pour out of Carlsbad Cavern in search of food, and watching them spiral out overhead is seriously wild. The ranger talk beforehand was super interesting, and the amphitheater itself is basically the perfect setup for the show. Best part? It's FREEEEEEE. No reservations, just show up, grab a seat and prepare to look up. Also, no phones or cameras during the flight, which honestly makes the experience even better. You're actually present instead of trying to get the perfect blurry bat photo. Such a cool, unexpected experience at Carlsbad Caverns. Nature really said welcome to the evening show. Stunning views . Beautiful sunset. Pro tips: Bring a cushion or something to sit on , the stone seating gets uncomfortable. Do not bring food or snacks only water . Be prepared for bugs and wildlife , I had a giant locust fly and hit me in the chest and small ants where I was sitting . Bring flashlight for the short paved walk back to your car. Be prepared to be ghosted by the bats , they don't come out if it's too hot .

This place is wild. The town of Carlsbad is meh. Not a thing to do there at all lol but the caverns…read moreare about 45 minutes from there Watching the bats come out in the evening is jaw dropping, to see how many bats keep rising out of the cave like a tornado, and flying off into the distance. It's one of the craziest things I've ever seen The cavern itself is wild, to imagine something like that is under your feet. Giant rooms, crazy formations It must be experienced by all Bring food, water with you. They don't allow you to eat in cave, but you can have water

Here's Carlsbad…read moreCaverns completely exceeded my expectations. Pictures don't do it justice--the caverns are absolutely huge, and the rock formations are incredible. We decided to walk in through the natural entrance, and although it's a steep descent (over 800 feet), it was well worth it. We explored the entire cavern and took the elevator back up, which took us about 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The trails are paved, easy to follow, and very well maintained. Everything is beautifully lit, making it easy to appreciate all the amazing stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations along the way. The staff were friendly and helpful, the restrooms were clean, and I thought it was great that they even have kennels available if you're traveling with pets. There's also a small gift shop inside by the elevator, and once you're back up top, you'll find two more gift shops and a café. If you're visiting when it's offered, don't skip the evening bat flight program. It's such a unique experience and the perfect way to end your visit. I would absolutely recommend Carlsbad Caverns to anyone--it's one of those places you have to see in person.

Weekday timing paid off -- with school back in session, the place was blissfully quiet. Parking was…read morewide‑open, the kind of "pick any spot you want" situation that immediately sets the tone for a low‑stress visit. The highway approach is long and monotonous, but once you turn off US‑62 and slip past the tourist trap of White City, the park road starts winding and rising in a way that feels like you've crossed into a different world entirely. The semis, pump acks, and dust vanish, replaced by a surprisingly scenic climb to the visitor center. Inside, you're greeted by a large gift shop stocked with a mix of forgettable knick‑knacks -- the usual magnets, novelty trinkets, and "did anyone actually ask for this?" souvenirs -- alongside genuinely nice items like well‑made books, quality apparel, and thoughtful geology‑themed gifts. The museum‑side shop feels more curated and appropriate, with fewer gimmicks and more things you'd actually want to bring home. The descent is long, winding, and steep, but absolutely worth it if you're able -- the gradual transition from daylight to the cavern's cool, echoing darkness is one of the best parts of the experience. The caverns themselves were wonderfully empty -- not silent, but calm, with enough space to enjoy the formations without weaving through crowds. Most visitors kept their voices to a whisper, which made the atmosphere feel appropriately reverent. The only real disruption came from the audio‑tour devices: even from a distance, the narration carries sharply through the still air, and encountering groups using multiple units at once breaks the quiet in a way that's hard to ignore.

We were passing through Carlsbad, NM after touring the cavern, and a little time to kill in the…read moreafternoon. We decided on "Top Nock Archery" as a fun way to spend an hour or two. None of us had shot a bow since high school but that was no problem. Owners Jennifer and Brant fitted us out with the appropriate gear and guided us through the safety protocol and the fundamentals of shooting. We had a great time at a very reasonable rate. They even provided a military discount since we all serve/served. I highly recommend Top Nock for practicing your archery skills in a clean, comfortable, air conditioned facility with extremely helpful, knowledgeable welcoming staff. Thank you Jennifer and Brant!! I highly recommend Top Nock Archery!!!!