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.

*** mountain lions and a bobcat are here now! ***…read more My young daughters and I loved seeing black bear "Maggie" open her 20th birthday present on 1.18.2025. We had no idea this event was happening prior to our visit that Saturday, so it was a special treat. Adult admission is now $10. Kids ages 7-12 are $5. I will always be a fan of this park because of certain staff members and the animals... Chihuahuan desert animals are the absolute best! Note, this go around we did not see the bison or a single scorpion. In saying this, I would NOT plan a trip just for this state park. It's not where it should be. The map they handed us clarifies that a new Framework Plan is in the works, but its implementation has seemingly been prolonged. There needs to be certain renovations and maintenance done before I would ever recommend this as a key destination. Before you visit, check out their hours ahead of time and set aside at least an hour for a self-guided tour. The signage going to this place absolutely still sucks. I'll never understand why New Mexico is like this. How do non-natives of this area even find this place without a GPS? Seriously. Ample free parking for RVs, trucks, my Jeep, and the usual boring cars. Bring water, a hat, & comfy walking shoes.

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.

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.

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!

First off, the visitor center has a water filling station, nice restrooms and amazing employees…read more Their gift shop is really small compared to other national parks but they have a good variety of items to choose from. This park is on mountain time- remember that- even if your phone keeps jumping back and forth between the time zones. I hiked the Guadalupe Peak Trail and oh my goodness such an amazing hike. I started early and made sure to have plenty of water. When I was coming down, I was a little surprised by how many people were starting the hike... in June at the hottest time of the day. Make sure to be prepared and enjoy all the breathtaking sights.

So I spent part of the week here exploring and I really enjoyed my time here. It is the smaller…read moreNational Park in Texas on about 85,000 acres (compared to Big Bend National Park which is 800,000 acres) but still plenty to explore. This park is more for folks that really like to hike, explore and camp. There are a few entry points into the park but there really is no scenic routes through the park. You are expected to park somewhere and walk to your destination instead which I find very interesting to do (can see alot more too). I've visiting the frijole ranch that had a small museum inside explaining the history of the park. Attach to it there are a few trails you can take off to do. I did the smith springs and it was very pretty to see. Once you manage to get up the hill there were some seats and rails you can hang onto and relax while watching the spring. I also did the Guadalupe Mountain Peak trail, which is the highest peak in Texas. That one takes about 6 to 8 hours to hike (round trip) and it had amazing views. There was also a mark at the to there you can take a picture too which was cool. Definitely need to be prepped to do this or any of the hikes (water, food, first aid, hiking stick and good hiking boots). The Salt Basin Dunes were also really nice to explore but expect to do half a day here. That one you drive over dirt road to get to but very nice views of the mountain. It also had a place you can use the restroom and sit down to eat. The place is exactly what you expect...alot of sand hills you can climb but very soft and cooling (just watch your step). I didn't get to explore all the park since there was a government shut down and closed one of the trails I wanted to do but overall It was definitely worth the trip to visit. I plan to come back next year when it's not too hot (best time for fall colors and cool air for tough hikes). I would absolutely recommend anyone to at least check this park out at least once in your life. Make sure do your research and bring what you need.

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.

Heritage Park is one of the premier keepers of Carlsbad New Mexico's pioneer history…read more It's a quick visit. No staff on site. Free parking. My ten and eleven-year-old daughters and I investigated the area on 1.18.2025. Expect to view the following: + C. B. Eddy House ("first substantial dwelling in this area... built before 1890) + The old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) campsite + Adams Leaning Wheel Grader #8 + Avery plow (1 Bottom 1 Way Moldboard Breaking Plow) + stagecoach + roadrunner statues + windmill & other structures The Eddy House was not originally built on this site. The core reason I knocked off a star is due to the apparent neglect of the park. The usual negligence such as... Un-readable signs. Trash lying around. Unconditioned wood. Within a short walking distance is the Pecos River Flume, built in 1903. Someone on Google reviews mentioned that the bridge is "eerie at night." Heck, I thought it was eerie in broad daylight with water dripping from it. Lol. Also nearby is Carlsbad Spring Park with a fantastic concrete walking path to one of the springs. If you see one of these historical landmarks, you might as well visit all of them. Just remember the concrete path gets extremely hot during the summer plus desert life (rattlesnakes, scorpions, stickers, etc.) is not particularly dog-friendly. Highly recommend for history buffs and wanderlusts like me.

Green Meadow Park is located on the northwest side of Hobbs, NM…read more It features a large human-made pond with a walking path upon its perimeter. I brought my daughters here for their first time on 8/27/2022. It was my first time visiting the City-maintained park in over ten years. While it has some new-to-me features, I think that in the coming years there could be some major improvements. There was ample parking. On a sidenote, when we were there, two large dogs were not on leashes playing fetch with their owners. My dog is no longer around, so I often walk my brother's pitbull and want to start walking my other brother's German Shepherd... good dog owners know where I'm going with this. Just be careful when going to any park with your dog in this town. The "let's all win, toss it in the bin" campaign certainly seems to help keep waste off the ground. Here, it's printed on large signs with trash cans spread throughout the park. Much appreciated! Now if we could just get all of the morons to stop throwing trash out their car windows... TIP + The Hobbs Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM at Green Meadows Park.

This us a very nice clean park to take your family. New playground equipment , large pond with…read moreducks and geese. You can also fish there. Clean restrooms which is a plus!

Yours truly recently acquired the role of "soccer mom" for the first time ever (3/4/2023)…read more In turn, Jefferson Park became our practice field because 1) it's a free public space & 2) hardly anyone goes here! In Jefferson's defense, it is on the south side of town - meaning it's too far for most Hobbsans to consider - plus it's tucked away in a lesser known area. I used to teach at the elementary nearby over 10 years ago... I don't recall any of this being within short walking distance of the school: + basketball courts + bbq grills + lights + pavilions + picnic tables + playground + restrooms + sand volleyball courts + soccer goals + youth baseball fields (still referred to as Bensing Park) + & a .80-mile walking path I give this city park 4 stars because while it has great amenities, it is not at all debris-free nor is it in a particularly nice neighborhood.

The CORE stands for the Center for Recreational Excellence…read more It's a workout facility in the City of Hobbs which is located in the southeast area of New Mexico. This place has a few pitfalls that keep me from not purchasing a yearly membership: First off, the wait to get to where you're going can be a bit much. The lines are a bit confusing as it is. They've since simplified it within the 9 months that I have lived here, but it could be even more simpler. Second, the clientele are less than appeasing. I tend to cause like a sailor, but not in public. It gets old. Amenities: + cardio equipment on the top floor + free weights, plate loaded, and selectorized machines on the bottom floor + gym (the floor is lined for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, four-square & shuffleboard) + indoor track + lap pool + locker room + personal trainer available + racquetball courts (2 available... reservations also available) + splash pad + spa (for ages 13 years & up) + sports programs (adult & youth) + studio & wellness classes + turf (soccer, flag football, ultimate frisbee, & golf) + water slides (4' & taller) My girls have participated in the volleyball classes here which were okay, but not very competitive. Just this past weekend (5/6/2023) I took the to the splash area for the first time area. Even though I declined to swim, I was still charged admission ($4 for the entire day). My 8 & 9-year-olds were charged $3 apiece for entry. In the splash area which is completely indoors, there are two sets of bleachers and multiple individual lounge chairs and side tables scattered all around. Free parking.

Visiting from Houston, Tx The staff here is friendly and the…read moreplace is HUGE! Basketball, pickleball, weights, indoor soccer field, ping pong, and a lot more. I had a great time experiencing most of what yall offered. Can't wait to come back and check out the rest.