When visiting this place, take into account weather conditions for that day. I would suggest hiking shoes that are waterproof and with good soles, laced properly. Long pants and comfortable fitting as well as shirt, long sleeve. Maybe small backpack with extra water, snacks, etc. Consult website for other suggestions. This is a really neat place and experience. Check lodging prices in Carlsbad and Roswell depending on your schedule. Lodging in Roswell may be a bit less expensive but would require a drive of about 2hrs. I say again, approximately 2hrs. Have fun!

Great experience for the whole family. It's amazing how caves can go down as far as a mile and a half. It's wonderful to see the stalagmites and stalactites. We didn't get to see the amount of bats that we would have liked to but they were hibernating.

Jewel Cave National Monument was impressive but Carlsbad Caverns National Park was even more impressive. Big difference is you can walk all the way down at Carlsbad, like 750 feet down and it takes about 60-90 mins to trek down and the path down feels like Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth novel! You can climb back by walk or using the elevator like we did. We saw amazing rock formation and at the end there is the Bottomless Pit. We did the Big Room tour and takes about an hour. It is just fantastic and a bit intimidating. Save yourself trouble and buy entry tickets on-line, just a 1$/per (plus general entrance fees) b/c it is qui busy and walk-in tickets were not avail when we got there. We saw folks turned back and access to the Caverns end at 2:30pm. Our boys truly enjoyed it and got their junior ranger badge.

Surprisingly awe inspiring. I’ve been to a number of caves and wasn’t expecting the immensity of just how big this Cavern was. Definitely a must stop.

Just an amazing experience. For sure do the walk through the natural entrance. We went in November and fewer people so was really nice. You must be there before 3 PM if you want to go down in the caverns. Last trip down is at 3:15. Park will close at 5. Enjoy

We all had a wonderful time. 4 young adults and us. Be ready to walk in moist areas at an angle, and a longer distance than anticipated. Js Beautifully Amazing & Worth the adventure.

Visited a few National Parks and can tell you: this is one of the best. The amount of work the Park Service put into allowing public access to these wonders - is the wonder in its own right. Logistics: you can stay @ Carlsbad, if you need extra cushy comfort OR you can park @ the Whites City, White's City Cavern Inn. Do advanced reservation: saves you the spot, as this particular date might be packed. Dress lightly: leave bulky stuff in the car. Pick the right "neighbors" : some might ruin your experience. No flash, no loud talk: whisper your excitements into your friend's ear. Worth every mile of your trip!

When visiting this place, take into account weather conditions for that day. I would suggest hiking shoes that are waterproof and with good soles, laced properly. Long pants and comfortable fitting as well as shirt, long sleeve. Maybe small backpack with extra water, snacks, etc. Consult website for other suggestions. This is a really neat place and experience. Check lodging prices in Carlsbad and Roswell depending on your schedule. Lodging in Roswell may be a bit less expensive but would require a drive of about 2hrs. I say again, approximately 2hrs. Have fun!

Great experience for the whole family. It's amazing how caves can go down as far as a mile and a half. It's wonderful to see the stalagmites and stalactites. We didn't get to see the amount of bats that we would have liked to but they were hibernating.

Jewel Cave National Monument was impressive but Carlsbad Caverns National Park was even more impressive. Big difference is you can walk all the way down at Carlsbad, like 750 feet down and it takes about 60-90 mins to trek down and the path down feels like Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth novel! You can climb back by walk or using the elevator like we did. We saw amazing rock formation and at the end there is the Bottomless Pit. We did the Big Room tour and takes about an hour. It is just fantastic and a bit intimidating. Save yourself trouble and buy entry tickets on-line, just a 1$/per (plus general entrance fees) b/c it is qui busy and walk-in tickets were not avail when we got there. We saw folks turned back and access to the Caverns end at 2:30pm. Our boys truly enjoyed it and got their junior ranger badge.

Surprisingly awe inspiring. I’ve been to a number of caves and wasn’t expecting the immensity of just how big this Cavern was. Definitely a must stop.

Just an amazing experience. For sure do the walk through the natural entrance. We went in November and fewer people so was really nice. You must be there before 3 PM if you want to go down in the caverns. Last trip down is at 3:15. Park will close at 5. Enjoy

We all had a wonderful time. 4 young adults and us. Be ready to walk in moist areas at an angle, and a longer distance than anticipated. Js Beautifully Amazing & Worth the adventure.

Visited a few National Parks and can tell you: this is one of the best. The amount of work the Park Service put into allowing public access to these wonders - is the wonder in its own right. Logistics: you can stay @ Carlsbad, if you need extra cushy comfort OR you can park @ the Whites City, White's City Cavern Inn. Do advanced reservation: saves you the spot, as this particular date might be packed. Dress lightly: leave bulky stuff in the car. Pick the right "neighbors" : some might ruin your experience. No flash, no loud talk: whisper your excitements into your friend's ear. Worth every mile of your trip!

I absolutely love coming here! It’s been a part of my life since childhood, and now I get to share it with my kids. It feels incredible knowing that soon it will be a special spot for three generations! ❤️ This place is just amazing—there's always a great vibe and fun to be had! It truly holds a special place in my heart!

We loved this place! Super open and had many shaded areas. The swim area was great and the lake itself was fairly accessible. Everything was within walking distance of each other. Very beautiful!

I recently visited Lake Carlsbad Beach Park, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience definitely a 5-star destination! The scenery is stunning, with peaceful water views, lush greenery, and plenty of spots to relax or take a stroll. The park is impeccably maintained, clean, and welcoming for visitors of all ages. There’s so much to do here! Families can enjoy the picnic areas and playgrounds, while anyone looking for more activity can take advantage of the walking trails, swimming areas, and water activities. The atmosphere is relaxing and safe, making it perfect for a day of fun or just unwinding by the lake. Whether you’re from the area or just visiting, Lake Carlsbad Beach Park is a must-see spot that leaves you feeling refreshed and happy. I can’t wait to come back!

Amazing place to check out. There’s so much to do, including the water park, hanging at the beach, swimming, water activities, and plenty of areas for cookouts or just some good family time. This is also the BEST place to be on July 4th!! 🎇🎆

It’s actually a very nice, big dog park right next to the water. I was actually kayaking by with my dog the first time I saw it so we stopped at a little dock in front of the dog park and chilled for a bit. We came back several times during our stay. Everyone was very friendly and respectful.

I have a different opinion about the area compared to most locals, as we did not grow up nor raised here. We love going to the beach park area. Our son is four and absolutely loves walking the trail to look at all the animals in the water. It’s the most clean area we’ve been and we have lived all over the state! Yes, there is trash but what we have seen as they make an effort to make it look nice majority of the time. I’m sure there is always room for improvement, but generally this is a great area!!!

Good place to spend your time with friends and family.

Went there for awhile. Good old stuff they have on display. They also have an art section and they have a lot of quilts hanging. Outside to the side is a small park you can walk around. Museum is free, no charge.

Free museum - bathrooms - water fill station - lots of parking adjacent, too. Very nice for 1-2 hour visit.. to include that many of the WW2 Bataan Death March soldiers were from New Mexico, too. The temporary exhibit about guitars was extremely detailed and informative..!

What a lovely collection! The museum has many exhibits that illustrate the history of the area. There's a little bit of everything. Indigenous pieces, fiber art, war artifacts, sculptures, and a very cool room about famous locals. We especially enjoyed the horse and buggy as well as the antique stagecoach. The kids loved the room full of arrowheads. When I visited there was a large display of art made by kids from the local schools, much of it quite impressive. Give yourself about an hour to see everything. Admission is free.

Awesome museum! My family and I came across this museum while visiting Carlsbad Cavern, and decided to stop by to check it out. There’s no admission fee, and it’s a great place to spend a few hours looking at artifacts! The museum is clean and well spaced, we love this little museum.

The Carlsbad Museum and Art Center in Carlsbad, New Mexico is small, yet informative. It houses very authentic western art. From the Native American pottery collection, to the rifle collection, to the stage coach and the model train exhibit — the museum is worth stopping by. Aside from the very friendly staff, there is no admission fee. Please leave a few dollars into the box by the front door.

The museum is free, which is definitely a plus! They have history of Carlsbad and art. There is plenty of parking as well.

This is an amazing Museum! The inside has a lot of southwest artifacts and some amazing art. They also have a changing art display. This is a must see when you come to Carlsbad.

Fun zoo with paths to guide you through, so you don't miss anything. Able to see creatures up close. Beautiful gardens and pond. Nice visitor center with lots of information about local flora and fauna. Also, it is very close to Ocotillo trail for walking or hiking.

We arrived at the Living Desert Zoo around noon. The temperature was 95-100, so we had sunscreen and water. We wore short sleeves, shorts/capris, hats, and hiking boots/shoes. There are paved roads, so as long as you're comfortable, you should be okay. Once inside, we were greeted and paid $10 for an adult and $5 for a child. The gentleman was polite and extremely helpful. He gave us a map, explained the trail, and a shortcut in case the heat became unbearable. We took our time and enjoyed every bit of it. The main building has restrooms, a touch table for the kids to explore, and other educational exhibits. Outside are some restrooms. We used the highly recommended ones next to the reptile exhibits. The women’s facility was easily accessible and clean. There's a picnic area, so once we were done, we retrieved our food from the car and enjoyed a relaxing outdoor picnic. Before leaving, we got a few things from the gift store. If you're an active duty service member or a retiree, you can receive a veteran 10% discount. Overall, this is a nice place to enjoy nature and the animals of the desert. It was not crowded and a great break away from busy attractions. We spent about three hours there since we were not in a rush. We loved it and were happy we got in the car before a thunderstorm hit.

Our family loves this local zoo! We've been a few times in different seasons & it's always a fun, active mini adventure to take with the kids. The gift shop has some pretty cool stuff too!

Visited the Living Desert State Park in New Mexico, and while it’s still a very nice place to spend a couple of hours, there are a few things to know ahead of time. First off, the new visitor center is absolutely amazing—beautifully updated, interactive, and packed with good info. Honestly, it's a highlight all on its own. It has a great gift shop too, where you can even buy local plants. It does have a little something for everybody. That said, the rest of the park is showing its age a bit. Some areas are looking a little run down, and there weren’t as many animals as I remember from past visits. A few enclosures were empty or looked like they were in the process of being fixed up. The Cactarium was especially sad. Still, there's a lot to see and do, especially if you're into desert plants and beautiful views. The walking paths are peaceful and scenic, and it’s a nice way to get a feel for the local landscape. Definitely worth a visit—just go in with the right expectations. It is still a very good deal for $10.

My husband and I loved strolling thru the grounds. Saw some great animals. They are slowly working on improving the site. Nice area for a picnic

This is an absolute hidden Gem in Carlsbad. It's a nice stroll through some natural desert habitat and a number of critters. The small museum is a nice little touch too.

We had a wonderful time here. Enjoyed the walk around the grounds and learning about native plants and animals. We were sad that the cat enclosures were empty, but did enjoy seeing the other animals like the Mexican Wolves, Pronghorn, and Elk. In addition to the usual fare, the gift shop also had plants available for purchase.

Very helpful person at the entrance gate Sites are nicely spaced and fairly level. It's a very pleasant campground to stay in for visiting Carlsbad Caverns, Sitting Bull Falls, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Want to say a couple of things about Brantley State Park: if you have ever camped in the desert in the summer, you know two things: lots of bugs and it's very hot. Brantley State Park staff take incredible time and care to clean the campsites and showers. The showers are free and clean. The bathrooms have a working AC running, giving you a cool place to shower and cool down. The toilets are clean and the stalls have no bugs in them. Very few crawl around. The bathrooms have plugins where we could charge our fans (which I highly recommend having in the summer months). There are tarantulas and snakes nearby but we never had any close calls near our tent. It's been wonderful camping here even if the desert makes it difficult. Thank you to the staff who take care of this park.

Quiet park bench areas. Clean! Spectacular views of Dam and the lake. All Seasons photos

Great park. Lake view. Large , level sites. Beautiful. Not close to Carlsbad but doable. I’d definitely go there again.

Stunning, quiet and nice place. Highly recommend. Close to carlsbad caverns.

The best state park campground that we’ve been to. Affordable. Picnic tables are covered. Great views of the lake. Bathrooms have been recently renovated. Good running and mountain biking trails (short paths for mountain biking). Convenient distance to Carlsbad Caverns.

Very nice New Mexico State Park. We stayed at the Limestone Campground and visited the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

I attended a wedding this past weekend for a friend. It looked beautiful and wonderful! Until I heard the owner LOUDLY trash talking the bride, aka my friend!! The picture attached is what the bride had to walk on when she and her planner were told there would be a walk way going from where she came out to the beginning where they got married. Because of this the bridal party and the bride almost tripped multiple times!!! The bride was holding back tears the whole night due to the disrespect the owner Toni was giving her. We even ended up leaving early as the bride was tired of hearing all the rude comments from the owner and her staff! Please DO NOT book this venue!

Hands down, the sweetest people. Such a family friendly environment. All the animals are so sweet and obviously well loved and cared for. Prices are fair. MUST VISIT

We visited the pumpkin patch and it was so great for my kids!! So many great activities for kids and for adults to enjoy. It is definitely worth the price. We were there for two hours and still didn't do everything that they offered.

They have lots of activities and cool things for the kiddos. We had their lemonade and were hoping to try their apple cider doughnuts but they were sold out. They have a tractor ride to pick a pumpkin and pumpkin slingshots and a fairy garden where they sold (pricey) fairy wings and wands and crowns so it was cute but we didn't buy those things. They were cute. We paid $12 a person to get in. Under 2 get in free. Took star off for those prices. They have something for most ages. Barn bingo and gel blasters too. Bouncy farm and petting zoo and bamboo maze and fishing pond with pole you can use. Was warm today so the lemonade hit the spot. Will go back next year. Didn't try any wines but they are a vineyard and have wine tastings. And they sell some concessions in the barn and there's a restaurant too

Cool place for us to stop on the way to Roswell, New Mexico for the kids to get out of the RV and play a little bit. They got pumpkins and played some games and had a good time.

This place had some good wine, cool booths, crazy good food, cute little pumpkins, blow up for kids, animals to see and pet. We went for the very last part of the sunflower festival. We got drunk and ate, we had a good time, and I loved it. Totally recommend for anyone of all ages. Very cute off the beaten path type vibes 🤙🏼

Love love love the Vineyard! Had my wedding and my baby shower there and they go above and BEYOND. They truly made all my dreams come true!! I will forever hold all my future events at this beautiful place! Love all their incredible home cooked meals, house drinks, and hospitality 🤍 They also have such fun & creative events, such as Ladies Nights, field trips, Date Nights, Comedy Nights, holiday events, and so so much more!! Truly a great time for everyone!!🤍

Love coming here, have different stages for children, they have a place for children, teens and adults. Good place to fax and print papers. Employees are very friendly. Lots and lots of books.

wow probably the nicest library i've ever been to. some of their study rooms come with a macbook laptop and they even have a study room thats a makeshift sound studio. super impressive!! their IT department is working on their computer systems up and running right now but aside from that it's so nice.

Great Library It's Nice And Respectful Workers It's Great Place To Go For Homework And Good Place To Read Food For My Children...

The librarians are wonderful and their Children’s library is cozy and has a plethora of things to do for kids! Their STEM packs you can check out are awesome!! One of our favorite places to go in Artesia!

Super nice and totally up to date great job guys

Architecturally and aesthetically this is a beautiful building. Nice, comfortable, and clean and has multiple study rooms. My 5 year old had a blast in the Lego room in the children’s section. Great way to pass the time with kiddos.

Everything about this place is wonderful, but the hours are difficult for students to work with. In my opinion, closing at 6 is way too early for students to actually utilize this library. College campuses often have locations for studying like this, but sadly, not Artesia.

It's a place that looks beautiful from a distance, but when you get there, it's not. Entrance costs $10 per car, whether you're entering or leaving. The sand is muddy, and the water is still flowing. I don't recommend swimming. If you're going to barbecue, I recommend getting up early. I think it's the only place within a 100-mile radius that the locals have to enjoy.

We went during the week on a Tuesday. It was empty for the most part. Very pleasant and quiet. We picked a shaded picnic area and spent 4 hrs just enjoying the scenery and cool water of Lea lake. It was a 90° day but the breeze was perfect! Amazing geology!

My family and I had a wonderful time camping here! We stayed in a tent at the campground and really enjoyed how spacious it was. We booked a site with electric and water hookups, plus our spot included a picnic table and some nice shade. The restroom and shower facilities were clean and the showers had good pressure and plenty of hot water, which was soothing after a long day outdoors. During our stay, the campground was peaceful, with everyone keeping to themselves and no noisy campers around. The only odd thing was that someone (likely a park employee) decided to use a leaf blower at 5am, circling the park and waking everyone up. That was definitely unexpected! Other than that, the park itself is absolutely beautiful and full of scenic trails, rocky canyons, and great photo opportunities for anyone who loves nature and wildlife. The lakes are clear and refreshing, with designated swimming areas. We also saw park rangers making their rounds, keeping everything in check, which made us feel safe. We enjoyed our stay and highly recommend visiting or camping here, especially in the Fall season.

This was a nice, quiet park to stay in while we visited the Roswell area. There is a Camp Host, and Bathrooms were attended to daily. Each site had a standing charcoal grill just outside of a covered picnic table. There was a nice boardwalk across the street, and the lake/ beach were empty (we stayed during the week M-W) Also, there was dispersed camping outside of the Lea Lake Campground, near the Visitor Center. We did not go into the visitor center though! A good place to stay for travelers needing some rest :)

It may have been due to visiting near the end of the season, but the area appeared somewhat run-down. Several buildings had broken windows, and both the restroom and play area were infested with wasps. The highlight of the visit was the beautiful view of the lake framed by striking red cliffs. We also discovered another lake within the park; however, it was mostly dried up and had a noticeable sulfur odor.

Such a fun place to visit. They have a swimming area with paddle boats, picnic tables, nice, clean restrooms, and a really cute pavilion. If your near Roswell I highly recommend visiting

Beautiful place, with clear water and lovely scenery. Watch out for the racoons at night time. Those little buggers ripped open our tent, to try to get our food in the middle of the night. YIKES! 😬

An oasis in the middle of nowhere! Gorgeous area, bathrooms. Picnic area

This place is beautiful. Only an hour and 15 minutes from Carlsbad and it feels like a different world. Beautiful drive and scenery. I swam at the base of the waterfall and although brisk, very refreshing, worth it, and rewarding. Highly recommend a visit! Bring your bathing suit, towel, and a change of clothes. The rocks are slippery so enter in the middle section. It closes at 4pm daily. The walk to the falls is only about 10 min max from the parking area. Bring $10 with you in cash for the entrance fee. There is no gate or attendant, you put your money in an envelope and drop it in a box.

Absolutely stunning view of a waterfall surrounded by foliage into an ice cold spring. You can swim. It’s about 6.5 feet in the absolute deepest part, and less than a foot in the shallowest. There’s large rocks and small pebbles on the bottom of the spring bed. The water is so cold it’s shocking to get into, but it feels so nice to dry off in the sun when you’re done swimming. Truly a stunning oasis in the midst of the desert. Absolutely worth the long and windy drive to the spot. It closes at 4 pm, so be sure to get there before 4. As long as you’re there before 4 you can stay later.

With myself and my family being part native American Indian it was very important to show them this beautiful and very peaceful peace of our heritage.

Easy .25 mile from the parking lot. For the less traveled pools of water that are deep enough to dive into, take T68 trail up from the parking lot for .4 miles up above the falls. This was my kids favorite part.

Truly an amazing place. The peace and serenity of the place can be felt making the hike around the area. It clear to see why ancient people groups would have chose this as an oasis get away. Super dog friendly and since it a smaller park there is normally plenty of room for the pawers to run and play.

Great place. Relax 😌 Water fall is small but still a great place.

It's interesting. But small. Smaller than the Tulsa (Oklahoma) Air & Space Museum. They've done a good job with limited space and material. A walk around to see the salvage and stored aircraft is interesting.

Tiny air museum just inside an active airport. Hard to find because the map can't show the actual location and the building isn't marked. Hours are short but you can see everything in about 30 minutes. Free entry but they ask for donations ($2 is standard but not required)

Very interesting museum containing lots of aviation memorabilia. John and his wife are running it and John is an amazing person. He’s a Veteran and very helpful and eager to share his knowledge with anyone. I highly recommend arriving a bit earlier for your flight and check out this museum. Roswell is near an Air Force base and one can hear fighter jets roaring overhead!

As of April 2 this place is still closed. Check if it's open before coming. Wish they would have posted they were closed!

It was nice to see all the plane models. It take about 20 minutes or less if you go really slow. Neat seeing the Air Force uniforms and memorabilia. Wish there was more to see!

Good information. The Brigadier General that they named this place after was a mega-stud. Being part of the Greatest Generation, he did what he had to do. Fascinating stuff and absolutely interesting

Walker Aviation Museum is located within the Roswell Air Center. There are historical aviation artifacts dating back to the early years mainly centered around World War II. You will have a chance to see some of the most important and influential aspects of the American military War effort during that time period. The museum representative was extremely nice, warm and welcoming during my visit. I'd highly recommend spending some time and enjoy this chance to experience some Roswell history. There is no need to purchase tickets. Admission is free.

Locally made jams and other stuff is available. It was a fun, calm spot to stretch your legs during a long drive.

We happen to find this cute little zoo/ ranch on our way to Arizona. This is a diamond in New Mexico. Their little stand has all homemade jellies honeys. What can I say about this place? It is a true find and treasure, especially for families. What I liked about this place most is that they allow you to trout fish and you don't have to have a license. The kids can come and look at all the animals and walk around the ponds which are absolutely beautiful. The people are just so nice Pam. I got to meet her and her lovely daughter and husband. This truly is just a cute family I understand. Just trying to bring joy to everybody else. Do yourself a favor come on by and support this local family and ranch. I will definitely be coming back through! And what can I say about that amazing cherry cider? Get a dozen of them. It's worth it.

Sweet stop! A farm stand with local and homemade goodies alongside national brand snacks and beverages. Some gifts and toys to purchase to help occupy the kids on a long car ride. A variety of animals to view and interact with and friendly folks to chat with. Small but clean bathrooms by the camels were worth the snack purchase to support the local small business. Way better than any gas station rest stop for sure!

Great to stop in and get something cold to drink real quick, and if you're a paying customer, they'll let you use the restroom. Bonus points because the restroom is right next to the giant camel animal in a pen. Also the gate squeaks like something out of a horror movie, and I love that quite a bit

Came here with my sister and her family (they recommended this as a great place for us to spend time). Had a blast ! They have Goats to feed, a Zebra, even rainbow trout! Prices are very reasonable too for the feed bag. Shop has all local stuff and the staff are very friendly. Very nice place to sit down and relax too. Right off the US 82 highway between Artesia and Cloudcroft. Very responsive on the phone + Google Maps messaging.

It's simple but sweet. The trout look so pretty in the ponds, and feeding them is a fun frenzy!!! Unfortunately, the other animals can't be out like they used to be, but oh well!!! They had sooo many new baby animals it was the cutest!! I had the best stop right before our stop in Cloudcroft for lunch. Show Runyan Ranch some love and enjoy the smile!!

While driving through New Mexico we came across this small petting zoo along the side of the road. The whole family had a blast petting and feeding the animals. The selection of animals was quite larger than just the expected goats! There is a small gift shop with food goodies and souvenirs. Definitely a great little stop along the road trip! The animals were all just too sweet and adorable!

Great family time spent. I will say where we stayed the campsite was VERY quiet and managers are patrolling around very often watching everyone. Campsites are superrrr close to each other. Went in August so it was very cold but no mosquitoes!! Huge win for me. Also dolar tree is just 10min away

Beautiful national forest. Went during the summer and it was still snowing and chilly so can just imagine how it’s like in the winter. Lots of hiking spots and has a little small town that you can go into for food and lodging. Make sure you have some sort of app (like all trails) or maybe a map because some of the hiking spots can be easy to get off track, especially in the snow.

We stayed in Ruidoso, and went fishing at Bonito Lake it was beautiful. Wish we had more time to stay.

Such a beautiful forest in the foothills and above. The rain made everything pop and all the flowers started to bloom. There is a ton of camping spots tucked away and off of the main roads. Elk, deer and so much more are in abundance throughout the park. Take a drive and a hike. Enjoy nature and all of her splendid beauty.

We had a fantastic week here in August escaping the heat of Arizona. The location was perfect for hiking, exploring, and quick trips into the little town of Cloudcroft for essentials or non-essentials like Forest Pie at the Black Bear Bakery! The sites are a bit close together, however, being nestled among the tall pines gives you an element of privacy. The camp host (Mark) does a fabulous job of maintaining this campground. The pit toilets are the cleanest we've experienced anywhere (!), generator hours are limited, and a leash law is strictly enforced (which we greatly appreciate since we've had issues with large, aggressive, non-leashed dogs in campgrounds). So happy to have found this summer getaway and we will certainly be back!

Bring water and good boots, I took two trekking poles with me and I'm really glad I did. Plan on stopping at the scenic overlooks to enjoy the scenery, the views are beautiful. The ranger at the station was very friendly, helpful and professional. He answered a lot of questions, gave me some maps, and helped me to know what to expect on the trail.

Excellent "off grid" camping, endless trails to explore that just go and go. Went to go see the eclipse with friends, wonderful time!

We had a wonderful time at the Hurd La Rinconada Gallery. Our overnight stay was definitely memorable, as were the gallery and nearby restaurants. We are already working on a return trip, including bringing family members with us. I can't say enough about how friendly everyone we met was. We even met Michael Hurd, and he invited my girlfriend and I into his father's studio (Peter Hurd ) it's now his studio as well. It's a weekend to remember !

What a fabulous experience! I was raised in the area and had grown up studying Peter Hurd art since I was a kid. The gallery is so intimate and has wall to wall Peter Hurd, Michael Hurd, Henriette Wyeth, and Andrew Wyeth art on display and for sale. To top it off there is a wine tasting room where you can sample wines private labeled with artwork. We loved the wine and Michael Hurd, Peter’s son, visited with us and signed our wine bottles! What a hidden gem. We’ll worth finding!

We had a wonderful experience. We were greeted at the door and given an informative look into the Hurd family history by Jennifer. She was so nice and answered all of our questions. We came for the wine tasting and had no idea there would be such an impressive art gallery. Jennifer also served our wine and once again answered all of our questions and was exceptionally knowledgeable on the subject. We had a cheese tray that included a local goat cheese and jam. It was such a nice way to end a beautiful day.

If you plan on staying in one of the cottages be sure to schedule your visit for when the gallery is open. We were warmly greeted by the innkeepers and members of the Hurd family. The cottages are peaceful, secluded and antique. The views were spectacular! This place is truly a retreat and a wonderful place to reconnect.

Small but beautiful and authentic with three generations of artists’ works. Displayed originals and prints from N.C. Wyeth, Peter Hurd, Henriette Wyeth Hurd, and Michael Hurd. Best part is the relaxing and tranquil guest houses located throughout the ranch property. Highly recommend a visit and extended stay!

Can not rate this place, it was closed, when website says there open. Thats all I can say.

Joan Park, the guide, was amazing! We had a wonderful look around, we refrained from taking photos; however, the brochures & artful wine are going to bring us back in the late spring to enjoy the patio!

I arrived after the place had closed for the day, so I just did the little trail outside and read about the different horses. I'd like to go back and look through the museum itself but with hours like that I dont see it happening. The grounds are clean and the states are very lifelike (at least to a guy who knows nothing about the breeds ha ha)

You must visit! It is an amazing museum full of history and information. Great place for kids and adults. They have areas for kids to touch and play, they can also to dress up. Museum is well kept and clean. It is wheelchair accessible so no one can miss the fun. They also have an area to buy souvenirs.

I love how realistic the displays were set up here. A true representation of the rich history of the Wild West. And you get to play dress up in styles of clothing from that time period. Fun for the entire family.

We spent hours here! The kid's dress up & imagination areas were wonderful! They can also complete a booklet and get a prize. No kids? There is a lot to see. Art, wagons, clothing, etc. Dont miss the horse sculptures outside! Handicap parking is available on the lower level.

A wonderful depiction of the American West. Lovely buggy's, wagons, chuck wagon and other items used to live in the wild west. Beautiful jewelry and household items from The Anne C. Stradling collection. A great place for children to explore. Along with a wonderful reading corner or a buggy to climb on. Take a couple of hours and go explore the history of the area. Note; handicap parking is on the lower back side.

Beautiful little museum in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Wish we would have came here 20 years ago with the kids before they were all grown. Great lil souvenir shop as well... Well worth the visit and good for kids.

Great place with lots of history of the American west. From weapons, pictures, demo houses to wagons and chariots. First time my mom says she enjoys a museum

The best thing about our visit was the weather. This was our first and last visit. We chose to buy tickets in the back row of the open air seating section to avoid the sun. A couple was sitting in our seats when we arrived and when we told them they were in our seats, they asked if we had tickets. We showed them our tickets and only then did they move a few seats down. We asked where their tickets were and they said they didn't have any! As the next few hours unfolded, several other parties arrived that obviously didn't have tickets, as they were trying to decide where to sit. We heard a few say that tickets aren't required in the open air section. Well, evidently, they're only required for honest people. Everyone else is entitled to ride on the backs of those who pay the hefty ticket prices. We saw plenty of security staff walking around, but none checking tickets. If facility management isn't going to prioritize this, then why shouldn't everyone know about it? Everyone should get in for free!

This track charges ridiculous amounts for every seat, including those in the sun, probably why it's not very well attended. Also, no one maintains the chairs, so even after paying $45, you still have to get napkins and wipe the dirt from your chair and table. The sound system is terrible so you cannot hear the announcer call the race unless you're under a speaker or TV. Been to better tracks with a more enjoyable atmosphere. This one is solemn. I gave it a 4th star just because of its view of the Lincoln forest and mountain air, but that's really more of a comment on its location than the track.

It was my first time at a horse race! It was so much fun! We sat, we stood by the rails, we bet. We did it all. Everyone was nice and one of the horses came up to us and we were able to pet it. They are definitely people oriented. They want you to have a great time. The bar area is clean and the atmosphere amazing! Will he going back!

First time visiting this place and I was impressed. The General Admission parking and the Casino parking are free. I visited to see a free concert. Little Joe y la Familia was SO good. The concert was held in a big white tent that is closer to the casino parking lot. All the employees were helpful and kind. There are port-a-potties outside the tent. They offer food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages there. They had chairs and tables (first come first serve) and a dance floor. The parking is very hectic, but there are sufficient amount of spaces, you just have to walk a bit. There are bathrooms inside the casino, too, that is directly across the tent. I definitely recommend the concert events.

My family has been going to Ruidoso Downs for years. We are New Mexico horse breeders and racers. Ruidoso Downs is a favorite track of ours. The facilities are aging but it is still a thrill to head to the races. The horse facilities are very nice, the barns are well maintained and the barn staff is good. At the track the management and staff are top notch. The valets go above and beyond to get you parked and take very good care of your vehicle. In the stands there are many seating options to enjoy the days races. Be sure to get a program to be informed about the races and the horses. Up in the turf club and the Jockey's club meal options are wide and good. There is no shortage of food here. The wait staff again are top notch and go above and beyond to take care of you. I really love Ruidoso Downs and highly recommend a visit. The open Memorial Day and the meet ends Labor Day with the $3million All American Futurity. See you in the winners circle!

Three Stars because it was a nice family event. We enjoyed watching the races from the table in the smokehouse area. We paid $120 for a table not covered. If we were to do it again I would definitely get covered, as it was very hot. Service in this area was non existent. We had to walk to the bar to order everything we wanted. I asked about food and she said she would send someone over to take our order. About the 15 minutes later someone arrived to take our food order. The only time I saw the server was to take order, drop food, and bring the check (which I had to go find her to ask for) I was overcharged for two double mixed drinks. I showed her on the menu where it had the prices listed for a double. She called the manager. I waited probably another 15 plus minutes and no manager showed. She ended up giving me the difference in cash and said the manager would reimburse her. I did assure that she was for certain going to get reimbursed, as I didn’t want her to personally give me money out of her pocket. She said she would. Overall we enjoyed the day and experience.

Race track was great the casino was not so good most of the help was good I was on a gameking Keno machine the erase button would make a max bet and play. The technician on Friday at 6:00 PM attempted to test the game with my money and advised me the games were too old and nobody that knows you shouldn't play Keno anyway. As a retired casino executive with 35 years in the slot field I found him unprofessional and poorly trained.

I've been here for many events over the years, and it's an amazing venue for its size. The drive to get there is absolutely beautiful, whether you are staying in Alto, or coming from other nearby locations, like Ruidoso. There really isn't a bad seat in the house, the design and acoustics are fabulous. There is an atrium event space, so would be good for meetings, receptions, etc., and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area. Note that all the parking is in the rear of the building, and there is plenty of it.

Spencer theater is one of the main Staples of Alto Ruidoso and surrounding areas. It's a huge asset to our local community. The performing arts here are spectacular and some of the artists that we attract are amazing. Needless to say, we have the pleasure of supplying dumpsters to this amazing place for a roof replacement. Thank you for the work and thank you for being here for the community. Looking forward to more plays and theatrical arts

We purchased the dinner before the show and it was delicious. Nice atmosphere and great show. Theatre is not too big so any seat has a good view.

This is a cute, intimate theater and I endorse the mission of bringing cultural enrichment to rural communities. Architecture is nice, and the glass lobby is beautiful. Staff was all exceptionally friendly. I was not very impressed by the dinner service offered before the show, however. Served on plastic plates with plastic utensils, I felt like I was having school lunch. I feel like this was more of a fundraising effort. But I loved Cats and I'd definitely come again to see more touring broadway!

I got married November 2018 , and let me tell you it was the best decision we ever made! I wanted to give a shoutout to Simon (she is a loving cook), Sharon (She is a great house manager and I might add a super great bartender), Every staff member down to the IT guy have the best personalities. I was not ONCE stressed. From the beginning of the year to to the day of! Everyone was wowed by our venue, Im telling you right now if you get married there rent both the crystal lobby and the the stage, your family and friends will be wowed!! P.S. get Mad Jacks BBQ in Cloudcroft 100% worth it

If you go the the buffet you have to make reservations. We were disappointed about that and hungry. But the concert was excellent. The theatre is very nice.

A must for anyone who enjoys the theater and Chihuly glass (That is Don Chihuly's signature on the stars wall). Free behind the scenes tour on Tuesday and Thursday Mornings. I would love to see a performance here.

We visited the Haunted Village last night, and it was a blast! Every year it gets better and better. They have an incredible amount of props and scary rooms, and the scare actors are just awesome. Definitely try it out during spooky season!

I can only give 3 stars because I have not been able to gain access. Id prefer not to give any stars till they are actually open on a day I can get there. But... its hard to even tell if their open or closed. The sign said closed. But the front door was wide open. So I opened the screen door to hollar to anyone that might be able to grant me admission. No response. So... I left. I suppose I coukd have just walked in. But I appriciate that people actually took the time to create this because im TRYING to learn the history of the area. Its just difficult when everything is closed during the week.

Authentic historical buildings and items on site. Allows you to step back in time to visualize what it might have been like back then. The staff were very courteous. Would highly recommend.

Great little historical museum with about 8 buildings from early 1900 in the Sacramento Mountains that you can go through as a self guided tour.

This museum has a lot more to it than it looks like from the outside. Lots of cool stuff and info on the history of the area.

Was really cool I enjoy history and the set up was really net they move some buildings to the site and made a town.

Very interesting and unique. Tickets were cheap and it's quite fun to explore

Fantastic spot! Trustle Depot offers beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere. Perfect for a relaxing day outdoors, with easy access to trails and scenic points. Great for unwinding and enjoying nature's beauty. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a serene escape!

Nice park with picnic tables, fire rings and grills. There is a fee if you don't have a national park pass. The bathrooms were clean and have running water in the sinks. I did the loop trail and really enjoyed the views.

It was an intermediate hike for us after all The rain. We made it all The way through The Trestle with lots of stops. The Benches were very useful. They have them Every 100-200meters. Bring lots of water. The hike is 1hour each way. The directions are very confusing so make sure you grab a map.

I hiked the Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail. Very nice views and some fun history along the way including parts of the historic railway and Bonnie’s Trestle. Also it had just snowed and not ever seeing much snow it was a nice plus. Made a beautiful place even prettier.

It's a beautiful view. Highly recommend going a couple mile up the road and walk the trail. The devil's elbow is a pretty nice trail. Looking forward to doing the 8 mile trail soon. There is four trails there done them all except the 8 mile one.

Nice little hike. We got there right after it opened and it was probably an hour or more before others showed up. Signs were a little bit confusing at times but definitely won't get lost. Amazing what people could do in that time period by hand. Sorry I may have gotten the photos a little out of order.

This is the trail I love to hike on my days off, really calms me down after all the stress of work, would definitely recommend visiting at the beginning of Autumn, when the leaves just start changing colors, the views are beautiful with all the colorful oranges, golds and reds, one tree in particular halfway to the trestle looks like fire!

Just had my 22nd birthday here yesterday. I brought my friends (all them are also adults with no children) and we had a great time! We did mini golf, bumper boats, the maze, panning for gemstones, and the pro go kart track and no children necessary it was so fun for us. We drove all the way up to ruidoso from Artesia, and it was worth the drive. The weather has been really bad this month, with the whole town of ruidoso flooding a few days ago so I called the day before to make sure they’d be open, and we would be safe to drive up there. The man on the phone was super nice and let me know we would be good to drive up there but there would be a few bridges in town that are closed, and he was spot on we had no trouble on our drive up there despite the rain. It was raining still a little when we got there, but all the attractions were still open! The rain broke after a while and the sun revealed to us the beautiful location this park is set in. Idk if kids would appreciate it like we did but the park was the cleanest amusement park I’ve ever been to, and every activity we did came with a breathtaking view of the trees and the mountains. 💞💞

Very fun place for kids and adults to play! We used the $100 discount ticket bundle and it was enough for 6 adults and 4 kids to play for a couple of hours. The bumper boats were the crowd favorite- perfect to cool off in the summer. Adults loved the pro track and fast go-carts. Great family run institution!

We are here on vacation so despite it raining we chose to take our kiddos here. I’m so glad we did! We were the only group there. The workers pretty much just followed us from attraction to attraction. They were so friendly and helpful despite having to run the go karts and boats while it drizzled on us. Great service and great staff!

This place was super fun we enjoyed it, lots of fun activities to do and enjoy with family , one thing I commend was that staff were helpful, when my husband lost his wallet they found it and were kind enough to return it, considering we are not from Ruidoso. Big thanks for the help we appreciate your kindness. ❤️

Only played mini golf. The course has too many holes where the challenge is the slope. When all players take the six-stroke maximum and give up, that's not a good hole. Some holes had damaged "turf." We still had fun, and the setting is pretty, but the course itself is not so great. Nice staff or else I'd rate it the three stars it more deserves.

Such a fun place! We spent about 3 hours there and did ALL the activities. I highly recommend Pillow's Funtrackers, especially if you have kids or are yourself a kid at heart!

Fun for every age... Lacks with politeness but seems to be a trend I have encountered in the area. But the things to do were great!

We had a great experience here. We did the tasting along with an amazing charcuterie board. Our server, David, was amazing. We will definitely return and visit the Albuquerque location!

We highly recommend the Charcuterie board. It’s delicious! We also enjoyed a bottle of Unbearably Good and a bottle of Y’All’s Mamma Texas Moscato (no judgement 😂).

one of my favorite places and favorite wines to get! only 4 stars because the white lights are hideous. a warmer, yellow light ambiance would make this place even more AMAZING. staff, DAVID, was PHENOMENAL!

Very nice building and patio. The pours were small (3-4 oz). The semi sweet Reisling was nice. The staff wasn't very friendly and the service was not good at all. We ordered food and wine and no one ever came back to check on us. There was maybe 10 customers. As we left, we thanked the staff and said goodbye. No one responded. Not likely to return.

Stopped by this winery after shopping. This place did not disappoint. Janet was very knowledgeable on the wines and suggested the ones we would like based on our tastes. We would definitely come back for more wine and cheese. This place has a very good chill vibe. Try out the Demigod room when there. We ordered the baguette platter, which was really good. If you are unsure of which cider to get, try the cider flight. The pomegranate one I liked the best!!!

Become immortal…drink wine at @noisywaterwinery 🍷 My humans did a wine tasting and loved every single wine they tried! The charcuterie board was amazing and filling🧀🍇 I got so much love from everyone there, it is super dog friendly!❤️ This location is in the heart of Ruidoso, which has a relaxing vibe where you could stay all day to sip, then shop! You have to check out the Noisy Water Winery. -@brewskibrewreviews

Great people, great environment and great wine! What more can you ask for! Update: we've been members for several years now and couldn't be happier. This business continues to evolve in a oh so positive way. David always greets us with a big smile and great service. The wine is excellent and the charcuterie boards keep getting better.

Beautiful lake and forest combination. This place is good for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. There is no alcohol permitted but I saw many guests that had brought alcohol anyways. It has bathrooms with running water which is great! It is very busy in the summer. 4 stars because you have to haul all of your belongings from parking to the lake. So, if you go far around the lake to find a spot you have to haul your ice chest, canopy, and other belongings. Otherwise, great experience and beautiful views. Our family had a great time!

The lake is beautiful. Nice waters and super awesome hiking/biking trails all around. You can do it til your heart is content. The only downside is there is A LOT of people there and unfortunately they leave their trash behind. Take the trails to avoid the crowds. During two bike rides I didn’t encounter anyone on them. Such a shame because they offer amazing views.

Great location! The lake is nice, but it’s slightly dirty, we assume because it was extremely busy. The trails around the lake are perfect for trail running or biking which is why we would definitely return. Recommend going in the off season to truly enjoy this location.

Nice Lake at Ruidoso, NM. In Jan 2021, when we were there, some renovation works on road, base ongoing. Hopefully, after the work, whole place will be more charming. Boating was restricted due to COVID. Overall awesome lake nearby, especially who lives in El Paso TX.

My family and I were staying in Ruidoso and we were there from Las Cruces New Mexico getting my daughter from NMSU. We went out to grindstone for fishing loved it me and my daughter tried to hike the mountains but couldn't do it LOL but the fishing was great the weather was great it was a very nice Lake Big Lake full of people only said things Campground wasn't open there's a lot of people pulling in with campers and they had to turn around to leave because the campground was closed but other than that it was really nice like I said Lake was full bunch of people fishing caught a lot of trout

Wonderful lake. Full of water . Saw people fishing but we took the trail road. Be prepared with plenty of water some snacks and comfortable shoes.! Have some time to spare. it’s wonderful for singles , furry friends , couples and a bike ride.

Overall a great place to take the family.. Well maintained with many improvements coming. You can fish rent boats, hike and ride some bike tr trails. They have restrooms on site.

I really liked the park it was fun. The slides were great there was organization but every slide took 35-55+ minutes. That I could guess, maybe 1K guests and with a hefty ticket of $80 dollars and $25 for the rollercoaster 1 adult 1 child (5y). I spent 3 hours on lines and 15 minutes sliding. For the price not sure if it's really worth it. But definitely worth the experience

It was our first time and we loved it. It was warm at 55degrees and they have the snow enough to satisfy your winter experience. Pine trees around, and multiple lanes to slide down. There were 2 sections to slide and a spot for little kids. There were food trucks with lots of seating spots. Plenty of parking as well and was for free. The line to slide was pretty long but to het the tags to get in line was fast, at with least 10-15minute wait.

Large herds of people seeking winter entertainment. Long lines. Very long lines. Luckily we already purchased our tickets online. When we got there the ticket counters didn't sell any more tickets because of excessive crowds. The ride down the mountain requires an additional ticket. 7 people, around $400 in tickets for 2 rides down the snow plus the roller coaster down the mountain. About 2 hours in line for a total of 5 minutes of fun. Is it worth it?

We had a BLAST at Ruidoso Winter Park! This was the first year that our family took a mini-getaway to Ruidoso to try snow tubing and we also wanted to check out the new roller coaster. I'm terrified of roller coasters and heights, but the roller coaster goes as fast or as slow as you need it to. It was so fun and enjoyable! The staff there was so friendly and I appreciate how nicely they treated us! There was no wait on any attractions. We didn't buy any food here, but there are food trucks and small store in case you need some clothing or accessories for the snow. The attractions and the service are worth it! 10/10!!

My family visited today and we had such a great time!! The slides were all amazing and all of the staff was super friendly and helpful! My kids are 17 and 11 and they both had so much fun! We did a lot of trecking through the snow, but there is a magic carpet that takes you up both sides of the mountain to the separate slides. We will be making this a yearly trip.

The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster was fun. We didn't try the rest of the attractions, but this was a nice distraction.

Our family loved coming to this winter park! My kids are 7 through 13 and they all had a blast! Even my 7 year old daughter loved the coaster and the snow slopes! Highly recommend this place! Buy your tickets online so you don’t wait in line at the park and get there early! There are food trucks and restrooms and a fire pit to keep warm next to.

Wow!! You have to stop by this place, feel the peace and tranquility that this sanctuary offers you.

This is a wonderful and inspiring place to visit! It's a Catholic mission church on an Apache reservation. The two philosophies are beautifully blended throughout the sanctuary.

This Old mission is a must-see.. definitely like stepping back in time a hundred years or longer.. I've never been there where I couldn't walk inside I don't think they ever close the doors.. the priest is buried inside..

A beautiful, historic church with some absolutely gorgeous iconography.

To see such pretty stone architecture in this area is an awesome thing, reminiscent of a small cathedral. Just a tip: be mindful to to keep your mouth shut when you stare up into the rafters, as everyone naturally does; there have always been at least a few bats that roost in the ceiling beams. The mission is truly a beautiful & spiritual place.

Absolutely beautiful church but filled with bat poop!!! You could hear the bats all around. M It was on everything. It really seems like a health hazard. There was a funeral the day before we came to visit, so I know it was recently used. If you come here bring a change of shoes or some Lysol!

Such a beautiful church!! All the details are spectacular!

5 star... this place was awesome. The cherry pie was to die for! And the spicey snikerdoodle fudge... whaaa.... yeah it's good. Employees were all great.

Very nice place it has almost everything like fudge, toys, hats, magnets, jewelry, apple cider, taffy, and more. I personally recommend the cherry apple cider the cherry flavor just pops. I also like how it has clothes food, and drinks everything you require to live. The atmosphere is also amazing it’s a nice country look with a mascot, and nice wood inside and outside.There is a bathroom it’s not super fancy but it still works really great place. 🤩

Very nice place, lots of knick knacks, souvenirs, games, clothing, purses, cards, decorations, taffy, etc. They sell apple and cherry cider, also apple and pecan pies 🥧 whole or slices. They are delicious. Several flavors of beverages too. Staff was friendly and helpful.

While driving through High Rolls, New Mexico. You must stop at the Old Apple Barn. This store has a little of bit of everything. Mugs, Books, Home Decor, Toys, Key Chains, Bumper Stickers and food [Popcorn, Fudge, Baked Goods, Cherry Ice Slushie]. I really enjoyed this store. Nice little detour. WEAR YOUR MASK OR NO ENTRY.

This was a great stop. If you are looking for trinkets I am sure you will find what you want here. They have so many great things to choose from. The ladies there were very sweet and knowledgeable of the shop. We really enjoyed spending some time here.

On the way up to Bluff Springs, our family stumbled upon this beautiful place. It is nestled in the woods and has such a beautiful aesthetic. They even offer apple picking! We got the crumble apple pie which was fantastic! On the way back we popped in to try their home-made cream sodas which did not disappoint at all. We are definitely stopping by again to try the variety of goodies they offer.

I was so hyped to visit this tourist novelty store. I had heard how great their pies are. We finally made our way out there and bought a crumbled apple pie for $20. I was super excited and could not wait to get back home to try it. Needless to say I was disappointment, the pie was not all that great it was like eating a cinnamon pie with apple pieces (had way to much cinnamon not worth its price IMO). The store itself was very neat there’s a lot to see and buy. The staff was very friendly especially Antonio was very attentive!

I am told my gramma was born there on the top of the mountain. Ive been to one ceremonial dance. It was beautiful the elders were strong in SPIRIT....gracious very hospitable and friendly.great cooks organized i love them i felt strength and love i want my blood drawn but don't know how to do out not for money but to know my ancestors know my native language. Listen to the elders and learn so i can tell the young before it's turn to go where I'm destined. With my people

This is probably one of the most amazing places I have ever visited! And I’ve been around the world! Can’t explain it! Just out of this world feeling! Be blessed.

Peaceful ,calm a very beautiful place I've been on the reservation and you can hear the land talk to you. Heaven on earth...

I appreciate & am grateful to be familiar with the beautiful, as well as STRONG virtues of the Mescalero Apache Tribe!

I LOVE❤💛OUR TRIBE 👊😎❤💛"MESCALERO APACHE PROUD"❤💛

A lot to do under the sun..

Very beautiful!

A beautiful ( overpriced ) state park with some of the friendliest employees I've ever met. The trails are nice and range from difficult to easy, the campsites are well maintained and many of them are level. The restrooms were way on the other side of the campground from where I was camping, which was a bit of a disappointment, but I'm sure those that were right next to it wouldn't share that complaint.. ( I wouldn't have wanted to be right next to them .. though they were very clean and the showers were better than most .. there was a slight smell in that area ). When reserving online, you are hit with extra fees, and I believe the total came to $24 for a primitive campsite for out of state guests .. which is ridiculous. The visitor center has nice displays, and I love that some of the historical features of the area have been kept. I've never paid this much money for a primitive campsite in my life and don't plan to again. There are some great free campsites on BLM land just outside the state park boundaries. Great showers and awesome attendants, custodians, and hosts. The people who work at this state park made it almost worth the price. Bravo.

We stayed here two night while in town to visit White Sands National Park. This state park is very nice. Paved loop plenty of big sites. It currently is first come first serve for the time of year and there was nearly every site open. It’s crazy hot in the day so having electricity was very nice. We stayed in site 24 with a 42ft 5th wheel and had plenty of room. The water hookup was leaky so we used the water from our tank not the parks. The dump station is unavailable due to some construction. The park is up next to the mountains and has a great view of everything as far as you can see. White Sands is visible in the distance, it’s about a 25 minute drive to the park. The bathroom and showers are nice and clean. The shower temp is hot or hotter so don’t get too excited for a refreshing cool shower. We enjoyed our time here, it was nice and quiet this time of year. Not many out camping in the heat.

Lovely campground. Enjoyed our site. (Site 006) (We didn’t use the bath house) the lighted walk way was nice for early morning dog walks. Convenient for White Sands and easy to go to Alamogordo. Dump station closed which put a wrinkle in our schedule.

Oliver Lee has a nice visitor center and desert garden with labeled plants. Getting there takes you through a pretty bad area and you might question if you are headed to the right place. The hiking is very limited and really has only one very strenuous trail up into dog canyon then a few very short trails that couldn’t even fill a half day. The dog canyon trail is 5.2 miles to the top gaining 3,200’ of elevation then back down making for a full very strenuous day. It is beautiful landscape but the challenge is not for everyone. And the trail maps they have available are ridiculously tiny, you need reading glasses to read the 1/4 sheet of paper and does not have the complete dog canyon trail on it. There is a nice desert campground with very sweet camp hosts and spacious gravel sites, some with utilities and picnic table shade shelters, some without. There are a couple of scattered pit toilets which were actually cleaner and nicer than the one “comfort station” with flush toilets and showers. It was dirty, smelled bad and the showers were scalding hot (not adjustable) and barely spit out enough water to rinse off in. Granted both times I showered were the end of the day after all the families had washed their kids, so mess is expected. But stink? And the showers were just bad. The campground was said to be booked full the whole time we were there but about a quarter of the sites were unoccupied because people who had reserved them didn’t show and didn’t cancel so that someone else could use the site. There were people who had to camp in the overflow parking area with no amenities because of folks who weren’t thoughtful enough to cancel when they couldn’t show up. Please don’t be those people! Cancel if you can’t be there even if it is the same day and you can’t get a refund. Parks are busy and people are waiting for sites.

Most ghetto shower I've gotten to use in a long time. Maybe a gallon will flow every five minutes, maybe not once someone flushes a toilet or uses a sink, THEN you get a tablespoon of water at a time... Luke warm water at that.... and limited hours to access the bathroom too if your using a day pass... Pretty petty, pretty filthy with hair all over and not enough water to clean the shower... With the increased cost of visitor passes especially from out of state, this is shameful. Also tried to use a water spigot only to find it was out of order. No sign, no nothing, just a waste of my time.

The views are amazing! There's a short trail to a picnic table if you don't want to hike for 10 hours to Cloudcroft but still want to enjoy the beauty.

Dear Oliver Lee, what happened to you???? Campground is showing it's age. Only one stall working in men's bathroom with active rodent infestation. The womens bathroom has only one functioning shower. The hike into Dog Canyon is gone due to floods and lack of maintenance. NM has money, why is no one taking care of this once prestine state park? *Camp host is very friendly