Avalon Dam and Reservoir, Carlsbad Project, are located on the Pecos River 3
miles north of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The dam is a zoned earthfill structure
constructed in 1907. Recreation at Avalon Reservoir is managed by the Carlsbad
Irrigation District under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish stocks reservoir and provides law enforcement. The
recreation area is open year around. This is a non-fee area with primitive
facilties. There are surface roads to recreation area and unpaved roads around
reservoir. There is year-round fishing for white bass, catfish, and bream.
Scuba diving for game fish is permitted. Boating must conform to New Mexico
regulations. Boating fees charged. Carlsbad Irrigation District Phone: (575)
885-3203 New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish Phone: (575) 234-2829

<a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Avalon+Dam" rel="nofollow">Avalon Dam</a> and Reservoir, Carlsbad Project, are located on the Pecos River 3 miles north of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The dam is a zoned earthfill structure constructed in 1907. Recreation at Avalon Reservoir is managed by the Carlsbad Irrigation District under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish stocks reservoir and provides law enforcement. The recreation area is open year around. This is a non-fee area with primitive facilties. There are surface roads to recreation area and unpaved roads around reservoir. There is year-round fishing for white bass, catfish, and bream. Scuba diving for game fish is permitted. Boating must conform to New Mexico regulations. Boating fees charged. 

Carlsbad Irrigation District
Phone: (575) 885-3203
New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish
Phone: (575) 234-2829

Avalon Reservoir

Alkali Lake Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area has 11 miles of motorized trails
winding through the dune vegetative area. Formerly a location for organized
races, Alkali Lake now mostly sees casual users who desire motorized single-
track trails where camping is allowed all a short drive from the town of
Carlsbad.

Alkali Lake Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area has 11 miles of motorized trails winding through the dune vegetative area. Formerly a location for organized races, Alkali Lake now mostly sees casual users who desire motorized single-track trails where camping is allowed all a short drive from the town of Carlsbad.

Bird's eye view of the park

Alkali Lake OHV Area

This native wildlife zoo in Carlsbad, NM is accredited by the Association of
Zoos and Aquariums, exhibits more than 40 species of animals and hundreds of
species of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert. The park provides an up-
close experience for visitors, with a variety of fun interpretive programs for
every season geared for the entire family. Living Desert also has beautiful
hiking trails, picnic areas and group facilities. The Mescalero Apache once
roamed the hills surrounding the park and occasionally performs agave roasting
at the park. Living Desert Zoo became a state park in 1971.  
  
The zoo features native animal species such as pronghorn, badger, bison,
bobcats, mule deer, elk, kit fox, Gila monster, cougar, prairie dogs,
reptiles, fourteen species of snakes, and Mexican wolves. An aviary contains
golden eagles, hawks, owls, a roadrunner, songbirds, and turkeys. The gardens
feature a greenhouse and hundreds of cacti and succulents from around the
world, including acacia, agave, small barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo, prickly
pear, saguaro, sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), and yucca.  
  
1.3 miles of self-guided trails lead through sand dunes, arroyos, and pinion
pine and juniper forest.  
  
Park Elevation is 3,482 ft.  
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website

This native wildlife zoo in Carlsbad, NM is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, exhibits more than 40 species of animals and hundreds of species of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert. The park provides an up-close experience for visitors, with a variety of fun interpretive programs for every season geared for the entire family. Living Desert also has beautiful hiking trails, picnic areas and group facilities. The Mescalero Apache once roamed the hills surrounding the park and occasionally performs agave roasting at the park. Living Desert Zoo became a state park in 1971. 

The zoo features native animal species such as pronghorn, badger, bison, bobcats, mule deer, elk, kit fox, Gila monster, cougar, prairie dogs, reptiles, fourteen species of snakes, and Mexican wolves. An aviary contains golden eagles, hawks, owls, a roadrunner, songbirds, and turkeys. The gardens feature a greenhouse and hundreds of cacti and succulents from around the world, including acacia, agave, small barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo, prickly pear, saguaro, sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), and yucca. 

1.3 miles of self-guided trails lead through sand dunes, arroyos, and pinion pine and juniper forest. 

 Park Elevation is 3,482 ft. 
<a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/livingdesertstatepark.html" rel="nofollow">Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website</a>

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

The Carlsbad Field Office manages hundreds of caves and karst features. Many
of them are appropriate for recreational caving. Some of the caves require
permits due to sensitive resources or technical complexity. The majority of
the permitted caves are limestone maze caves. Most are horizontal, but some
require single rope technique (SRT) skills in certain areas. Caves vary from
large walking passages to very tight squeezes.

Permitted caves include Doc Brito, KFFC, Jurnigan #2, Little Manhole, Lost
Cave, Sand, and Wind-Hicks. There are also popular non-permitted caves such as
Parks Ranch Cave and caves in the Burton Flats area. To visit any cave, make
sure to wear appropriate clothing and gear, including a helmet, at least one
helmet-mounted light and two other sources of light, gloves, and knee pads.
The minimum group number for a permitted cave is three people. The maximum
amount varies by cave.

All cavers must follow current White-nose Syndrome (WNS) protocols. New
Mexico's WNS status is currently intermediate. No gear from WNS positive
states is permitted to be used in the Carlsbad Field Office Caves. Gear from
other intermediate or WNS-free areas must be properly decontaminated before
and after the cave trip. Contact the BLM Carlsbad Field Office for more
details.

The Carlsbad Field Office manages hundreds of caves and karst features. Many of them are appropriate for recreational caving. Some of the caves require permits due to sensitive resources or technical complexity. The majority of the permitted caves are limestone maze caves. Most are horizontal, but some require single rope technique (SRT) skills in certain areas. Caves vary from large walking passages to very tight squeezes.Permitted caves include Doc Brito, KFFC, Jurnigan #2, Little Manhole, <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/lost-cave" rel="nofollow">Lost Cave</a>, Sand, and Wind-Hicks. There are also popular non-permitted caves such as <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/parks-ranch-cave" rel="nofollow">Parks Ranch Cave</a> and caves in the Burton Flats area. To visit any cave, make sure to wear appropriate clothing and gear, including a helmet, at least one helmet-mounted light and two other sources of light, gloves, and knee pads. The minimum group number for a permitted cave is three people. The maximum amount varies by cave.All cavers must follow current White-nose Syndrome (WNS) protocols. New Mexico's WNS status is currently intermediate. No gear from WNS positive states is permitted to be used in the Carlsbad Field Office Caves. Gear from other intermediate or WNS-free areas must be properly decontaminated before and after the cave trip. Contact the BLM Carlsbad Field Office for more details.

Carlsbad Field Office Recreational Caves

For 30 miles, the Guadalupe Backcountry Byway travels the transition from
cholla cactus in the Chihuahuan Desert west of Carlsbad up into the pines of
the dramatic Guadalupe Escarpment. Travelers can see mule deer, pronghorn
antelope, gray fox, scaled quail, mourning dove, a variety of songbirds, and
small mammals. The Byway is located along the Capitan Reef of the Permian
Basin and passes through an area of producing oil and gas wells. The plains
give way to steep limestone outcrops cut by dry arroyos. Beneath the surface
are numerous caves, including Carlsbad Caverns and Lechugilla Cave within
nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

The Byway has interpretation stops along the way explaining different aspects
of multiple-use public land management. The interpretive stops include
explanations of activities taking place on this "working landscape," which
include oil and gas development, livestock grazing, recreation uses, as well
as other land use opportunities and natural resource protection measures.

The Guadalupe Backcountry Byway also provides a gateway for rural tourism and
access to many little-known attractions. Numerous intersecting improved roads
and unimproved OHV-two track trails provide access to public lands with
excellent opportunities for hiking/backpacking, primitive camping, caving,
horseback riding, nature study, mountain biking, hunting, and other outdoor
experiences.

For 30 miles, the Guadalupe Backcountry Byway travels the transition from cholla cactus in the Chihuahuan Desert west of Carlsbad up into the pines of the dramatic Guadalupe Escarpment. Travelers can see mule deer, pronghorn antelope, gray fox, scaled quail, mourning dove, a variety of songbirds, and small mammals. The Byway is located along the Capitan Reef of the Permian Basin and passes through an area of producing oil and gas wells. The plains give way to steep limestone outcrops cut by dry arroyos. Beneath the surface are numerous caves, including Carlsbad Caverns and Lechugilla Cave within nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.The Byway has interpretation stops along the way explaining different aspects of multiple-use public land management. The interpretive stops include explanations of activities taking place on this "working landscape," which include oil and gas development, livestock grazing, recreation uses, as well as other land use opportunities and natural resource protection measures.The Guadalupe Backcountry Byway also provides a gateway for rural tourism and access to many little-known attractions. Numerous intersecting improved roads and unimproved OHV-two track trails provide access to public lands with excellent opportunities for hiking/backpacking, primitive camping, caving, horseback riding, nature study, mountain biking, hunting, and other outdoor experiences.

Two lane highway extending off to the horizon.

Guadalupe Backcountry Byway

Recreation at Brantley Dam, Reservoir, Brantley Project, is managed by New
Mexico State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The State
Park is open 24 hours year round. There is a visitor center 4.5 miles from
park entrance at U.S. 285. Good access roads. No concessionaires. No food
service. No lodging within park. Nearest communities from park entrance are
Carlsbad, 12 miles south and Artesia, 24 miles north. Year-round fishing for
white bass, catfish, largemouth bass, walleye, and crappie however,due to
recent findings of DDT in certain species of fish evaluated and tested by the
NM Environment Department, State Parks recommends catch and release only..
There are hiking trails and water skiing. Scuba diving for game fish is
permitted. Boating must conform to New Mexico regulations.

Recreation at <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Brantley+Dam" rel="nofollow">Brantley Dam</a>, Reservoir, Brantley Project, is managed by New Mexico State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The State Park is open 24 hours year round. There is a visitor center 4.5 miles from park entrance at U.S. 285. Good access roads. No concessionaires. No food service. No lodging within park. Nearest communities from park entrance are Carlsbad, 12 miles south and Artesia, 24 miles north. Year-round fishing for white bass, catfish, largemouth bass, walleye, and crappie however,due to recent findings of DDT in certain species of fish evaluated and tested by the NM Environment Department, State Parks recommends catch and release only.. There are hiking trails and water skiing. Scuba diving for game fish is permitted. Boating must conform to New Mexico regulations.

The Drapery Room on the Domes & Dripstones tour with a cave guide and visitor walking down metal stairs viewing the flowstone formations that resemble drapery.

New York Subway on the Domes and Dripstones route.

A Cave Guide admiring the large trunk, tubular passageway called New York Subway on the Domes and Dripstones route.

The Domes and Dripstones tour has vast areas of flowstone that resembles draperies.

Frozen Niagara

Stairs descending 14 domes as soon as you enter the cave

Stairs descending in single file

A cascade of water enters the cave from the ceiling.

Showerbath Spring

Grand Central Station, the deepest point on the Domes and Dripstones tour.

Large room with rows of benches for tours.

The final stair case leading out of the cave to finish the Domes and Dripstones tour

Stair case leading out of the cave through a narrow passageway

Stairs leading down into the sinkhole to entrance.

Stairs heading down into the sinkhole to the entrance of the cave

Frozen Niagara formation, the grand finale of the Domes and Dripstones tour

Frozen Niagara formation, large flowstone formation that resembles a waterfall frozen in time.

Fairy Ceiling, walk on a stone trail from the 1920s

Open cave passageway with rows of benches and a stone path on the side

Cave formations as you head to the exit of the cave

Cave passageway decorated with cave formations

Big Break
Climb the stairs out of Grand Central Station, up Big Break to make your way back up to upper passageways

Switch back trail with stairs leading to upper-level cave passageways

Descend down approximately 300 stairs, single file, with tight turns to get to the lower portions of the tour.

Single file wide staircase heading down at the beginning of the tour

Drapery Room
With an optional additional 100 stairs you can head into the Drapery Room that is decorated with cave formations.

A room in the cave with stairs leading down that is decorated with cave formations.

Tubular passageway called New York Subway on the Domes and Dripstones route.

Brantley Reservoir

The La Cueva Non-Motorized Trail System covers approximately 2,200 acres and
contains more than 15 miles of maintained trails. The non-motorized trails are
conveniently located near the city limits of Carlsbad, and are primarily used
by mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians.

The trails wind through the rolling limestone foothills of the Guadalupe
Mountains and the rugged Chihuahuan Desert environment. A wide variety of
cactus and wildlife add to the desert experience.

The La Cueva Non-Motorized Trail System covers approximately 2,200 acres and contains more than 15 miles of maintained trails. The non-motorized trails are conveniently located near the city limits of Carlsbad, and are primarily used by mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians.The trails wind through the rolling limestone foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains and the rugged Chihuahuan Desert environment. A wide variety of cactus and wildlife add to the desert experience.

A rocky trail winds through Yuccas, cactus and other desert vegetation.

La Cueva Non-Motorized Trail System

Brantley Lake State Park is situated in the Pecos River Valley near Carlsbad,
New Mexico. The rolling grasslands of Southeastern New Mexico are to the east
of the park and the Guadalupe Mountains are to the west. The lake takes its
name from the reservoir built across the Pecos River in the 1980s by the U.S.
Bureau of reclamation. Brantley Dam replaced the earlier McMillan Dam. Primary
functions of the lake are flood control and water storage for irrigation and
water commitments to Texas and Mexico. The park opened in November 1989.  
  
The lake is best known for its water recreation and fishing. The Lake is
stocked with largemouth bass, white bass, walleye, channel catfish, trout,
sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. The southernmost lake in New Mexico is an
oasis of water, wildlife, plant life, gorgeous sunsets and stunning night
skies. The Pecos River valley is a major waterfowl migration route, and many
species of birds are present on and near the lake throughout the year. Located
twelve miles north of Carlsbad, the park offers boating, kayaking, canoing,
fishing, hiking trails, exceptional bird watching, developed and primitive
campsites and restrooms with showers. Whether you’re picnicking for the day,
or camping in your RV for a week, you’ll be sure to find adventure at Brantley
Lake State Park!  
  
Park Elevation is 3,295 ft.  
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.

Brantley Lake State Park is situated in the Pecos River Valley near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The rolling grasslands of Southeastern New Mexico are to the east of the park and the Guadalupe Mountains are to the west. The lake takes its name from the reservoir built across the Pecos River in the 1980s by the U.S. Bureau of reclamation. Brantley Dam replaced the earlier McMillan Dam. Primary functions of the lake are flood control and water storage for irrigation and water commitments to Texas and Mexico. The park opened in November 1989. 

The lake is best known for its water recreation and fishing. The Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, white bass, walleye, channel catfish, trout, sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. The southernmost lake in New Mexico is an oasis of water, wildlife, plant life, gorgeous sunsets and stunning night skies. The Pecos River valley is a major waterfowl migration route, and many species of birds are present on and near the lake throughout the year. Located twelve miles north of Carlsbad, the park offers boating, kayaking, canoing, fishing, hiking trails, exceptional bird watching, developed and primitive campsites and restrooms with showers. Whether you’re picnicking for the day, or camping in your RV for a week, you’ll be sure to find adventure at Brantley Lake State Park! 

Park Elevation is 3,295 ft. 
<a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/brantleylakestatepark.html" rel="nofollow">Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website</a>.

Avalon Reservoir

Directions

Reviews