Carlsbad, NM. Tips?

[SmithSwede]

Guzzi Folk

I’ve got a business trip to Carlsbad, NM coming up in a few weeks.  I’m riding to Carlsbad from the Dallas area.  Could spend a day or two in the vicinity. 

Any suggestions of places to see, roads to ride, or restaurants to hit?

I’ll probably do Carlsbad Caverns.  Been there before, but that was decades ago.  Maybe Sitting Bull waterfall.

[LowRyter]

Carlsbad Caverns is enough, take the tour and then stay for the evening swarm show. 

Yep, it's all pretty special.

[Rich A]

The ride (Rt 137) up to the Queen/Sitting Bull falls area is one of the better ones in the area, nice hiking up there. There used to be a cafe in Queen that was pretty good, but I don't know if it is still open. The Living Desert park is worth a visit.

Rich A

[PJPR01]

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A very enjoyable road to ride in the area...

[Shorty]

Don't eat at the Mexican joint next to the motel in Brownsfield, Tx. 

[Bisbee]

If you’re on I-20 and have the time , then absolutely visit the Petroleum Museum in Midland, Tx. It is divided into three parts - crystal gallery, petroleum and the only place in the world where you can see the famous Chapparal race cars. Jim Hall gifted his collection to the museum years ago. A wonderful facility.

[JJ]

Carlsbad Caverns is enough, take the tour and then stay for the evening swarm show. 

Yep, it's all pretty special.

Was there years ago, but agree with LowRyter...well worth the visit.

New Mexico is.....The Land of Enchantment!

[cliffrod]

Watch the skyline and ridges.  We really liked seeing the caverns but the big thrill was apparently seeing a large solitary Ibex on the ridge as we were leaving the caverns.

[twowheeladdict]

Get gas before you need it.  There are sections of road out there where fuel stops can be 150 miles apart. 

I recommend the route that goes through Hobbs, NM unless you just really like riding interstates. 

If you have time a ride up to and around Cloudcroft NM is really nice.

Here is my ride report from 2018 in the area.  Looks like all my photos are removed because picturetrail closed down.

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=97888.0

[SmithSwede]

Thanks for all the tips.   Rolled back home late last night.  Paul, your route from Carlsbad to Ruidoso was excellent. 

Enjoyed the mountains. 







Couldn’t get in to the Caverns due to - restrictions, you needed to get a reservation about 2 weeks in advance.   So I did Sitting Bull Falls and rode that area.





 

The oil museum in Midland was superb.  Thanks for the recommendation.   





The only downside was it was hot, hot, hot in the valley (the mountains were pleasant)  Photo taken somewhere west of Roswell, New Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert. 




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