Local Attractions – The Original Ranch

Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is only 40 miles away near Carlsbad and White’s City for a great day trip and a fascinating underground odyssey. It is handicapped accessible with two entrances and an elevator to one of them. Stay for the exciting bat flight in the evening. Tour reservations required.

Lake Carlsbad

Lake Carlsbad in downtown Carlsbad on the Pecos River offers a large grassy park with boating, swimming, walking trails, playgrounds, basketball courts, splash pad for the kiddies, and picnic tables. It is truly a shining gem in the middle of the Chihauhuan desert.

Carlsbad Waterpark

Carlsbad Waterpark while small, has both slides and a lazy river for summer fun and is very inexpensive. Under 4 and +62 Seniors free!

Sitting Bull Falls

Sitting Bull Falls provides a cooling respite on a hot summer day for locals and visitors alike. With a paved walk to the falls and covered picnic tables, it is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Brantley Lake State Park

Brantley Lake State Park has fishing, boating, hiking trails, picnic area, and camping available.

Artesia Aquatics Center

Artesia waterpark and indoor pool with a lazy river and waterslides is also a very inexpensive way to cool off in summer. In the winter, you can still get some exercise in the indoor pool.

Bulldogs Football

Artesia High School is home to the State Champion Bulldogs football team with a professional state-of-the-art stadium and lots of excitement.

Roswell UFO Museum

Roswell UFO Museum and International Research Center has numerous exhibits concerning a local UFO incident. Be sure to stop on the way to take a picture with a wooden UFO and aliens display on the northbound side of US-285, a mile north of its intersection with NM-2, and 6.5 miles south of downtown Roswell. Has its own roadside pull-off.

Bottomless Lakes

Bottomless Lakes State Park east of Roswell on US-2 is a great place for a swim, kayaking, scuba diving, picnic, or camping. The marsh trail on a wooden boardwalk is interesting and good exercise.

Bitter Lakes Wildlife Refuge

Billy The Kid

Located in Fort Sumner, NM is the grave of Billy The Kid and the Billy The Kid Museum. Along with Billy’s story, the museum has many period pieces, carriages, etc. Nearby is the Sumner Lake State Park with boating, fishing, and camping. Billy also had ties to Artesia, NM just north of our park.