Local attractions for Christmas On The Pecos celebration in Carlsbad, NM

Carlsbad Area Attractions
Rising from the Chihuahuan Desert just fifty-five miles south of Carlsbad is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Viewers will be in awe with the overwhelming incredible vistas, flourishing vegetation, and countless species of wildlife that thrive in the park.

El Capitan, an 8,085-foot high monolithic landmark that can be seen for fifty miles, rises in serene majesty out of the desert floor. It is not, however, the highest mountain. That distinction belongs to nearby Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet. The heights of these peaks are in direct contrast to the deep canyons that run throughout the range. McKittrick Canyon is one such oasis. Its lush vegetation includes many species of trees (velvety ash, bigtooth maple, oak, and walnut), as well as yucca and cactus from the desert. A 6.8 mile round-trip hike reveals an intermittent underground stream and endless possibilities for adventure. In the fall, the vegetation in the canyon puts on a spectacular display of color, erupting in golds and reds, oranges and browns before settling in for the winter months.

The Guadalupe Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest encompasses 285,000-acres for hiking, caving, camping, picnicking, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking and experiencing the beauty of nature. Behold the panoramic view of the Guadalupe Mountain Range and the desert below at Five Points Vista at the top of the Forest. Sitting Bull Falls-Recreation Area is an oasis hidden in the midst of the desert where a beautiful 150-foot waterfall pours over canyon walls. You will also find picnic tables, charcoal grills, water, restrooms and a paved trail through the canyon ending at the falls. There are 16 miles of canyon land trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Mountain bikers will enjoy La Cueva Escarpment Mountain Bike Trail that offers 15 miles of single track with many different trails and all levels of difficulty. Other biking opportunities can be found on the 4 miles of marked bike routes or 6.5 miles of paved bike trails.

Brantley Lake State Park offers boating, fishing, and water skiing. Plan to stay awhile in one of the primitive or developed camp-sites, get together with friends or family at one of the group shelters, or take a hike along one of the park’s nature trails.

BLM -Off Highway Vehicle Area Recreation opportunities abound on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Although BLM in the Carlsbad area is noted for livestock grazing and mineral extraction, the lands managed are actually multi use in nature. (See map on next page.)

The Carlsbad Field Office (CFO) has two areas designated for Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use: Alkali Lake, Hackberry Lake OHV. Each of these areas provides a different environment to pursue OHV endeavors. Alkali Lake OHV site has trails consisting of sand, limestone hills, and draws giving the rider a variety of skill-testing opportunities. Hackberry Lake has two distinct environments, a sand dune area and the two track area.

The dune area, which has 132 acres, provides the OHV rider with 30-40 foot red sand dunes in which to test their skills. It also provides an area for overnight camping. Just a short distance from the red sand dunes is the two track area where the Carlsbad Desert 100 is held each year in September. This event is part of the New Mexico Desert Riders circuit. The Hackberry Lake OHV site has 55,000 acres of OHV trails. Each site is open year long and has varying amenities. If you are interested in seeing more than just oil wells and livestock, invest a few minutes and log onto www.nm.blm.gov/recreation/carlsbad or call BLM-CFO at 505-234-5972 and ask for the recreation specialist for all the recreation opportunities at BLM Carlsbad.

Get to know the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert first hand at the amazing Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. This undeniably unique park allows visitors to learn about the plants and animals that inhabit the Southwest. Not your typical “zoo,” the Living Desert creates an atmosphere of respect and interaction by making many species of both animals and plants accessible.

At the park you will be able to walk along the 1.3 mile paved pathway that leads you to the homes of many native animals such as Mexican wolves, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, bison, and mountain lion. The park also serves as a safe haven for injured and orphaned birds, mammals, and reptiles that can no longer survive in the wild. Familiarize yourself with such Southwest plants and trees as pinon, juniper, and the prickly pear. Cacti and succulent plants from around the world are displayed in a special greenhouse.

There are picnic tables available at the park for a quiet lunch or a break in the shade. Come visit the park and discover the beauty that is the desert. Be sure and visit the Gift Shop for that special souvenir.

Held at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park every year in May. Mescal Roast and Mountain Spirit Dances. This award-winning event blends culture and history together around a blazing bonfire with Mescalero Apache dancers in colorful ceremonial dress, dancing the traditional - Dance of the Mountain Spirits.

The world that exists deep below the surface in Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a subterranean marvel. Created slowly over the millennia, its beautiful formations awe visitors year-round. Considered by many as the Eighth Wonder of the World, it is one of twenty World Heritage sites in the United States.

Visitors walking through the cave today are seeing but a snapshot of the area’s geologic history. Cavern development began about 250 million years ago when a reef formed along the edge of an inland sea. The sea eventually evaporated and left the reef buried under deposits of gypsum and salts.

Then, 20 to 30 million years ago, the Guadalupe Mountains were uplifted thousands of feet above sea level, fracturing the ancient reef. Rainwater percolated down from the surface and mixed with hydrogen sulfide-rich brine from local oil and gas deposits below to form sulfuric acid. This very strong acid carved out the large rooms and passageways that exist today. Finally, about 500,000 years ago, after groundwater levels had dropped, the slow process of speleothem—stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone—formation began with a single drop of water. Drop by drop. Billions and billions of drops later,
park visitors marvel at these monuments of time.

There are a variety of cave tours available at the park—and at a comfortable 560F year-round, Carlsbad Cavern is an exciting place to spend the day anytime of the year. Self-guided tours of the cave allow visitors to enjoy the cave at their own pace. An elevator is available for those who do not feel up to the 750-foot descent of the Natural Entrance tour that traces the steps of
Carlsbad Cavern’s early explorers. Ranger-guided tours vary from walking on a paved trail through the highly decorated Kings Palace area to crawling and squeezing through tight passages and getting dirty on the Hall of the White Giant and Spider Cave tours.