The Guadalupe Back Country Byway follows NM-137 for 30 miles through the
Chihuahuan Desert, the Guadalupe Escarpment, and Lincoln National Forest. A
varied landscape thrives here; from limestone outcroppings to thick pine
forest stands to underground caves.

Recreation abounds within these public lands. Go hiking, backpacking, mountain
biking or horseback riding along one of many trails. Interact with animals
either by watching wildlife or by hunting. Some of the animals that make their
homes here include deer, pronghorn antelope, foxes, and a wide range of birds.
If you're feeling extra adventurous, go caving and explore the Carlsbad
Caverns that lie beneath the surface.

The Guadalupe Back Country Byway follows NM-137 for 30 miles through the Chihuahuan Desert, the Guadalupe Escarpment, and Lincoln National Forest. A varied landscape thrives here; from limestone outcroppings to thick pine forest stands to underground caves.



Recreation abounds within these public lands. Go hiking, backpacking, mountain biking or horseback riding along one of many trails. Interact with animals either by watching wildlife or by hunting. Some of the animals that make their homes here include deer, pronghorn antelope, foxes, and a wide range of birds. If you're feeling extra adventurous, go caving and explore the Carlsbad Caverns that lie beneath the surface.

Bird's eye view of the park

Guadalupe Back Country Byway

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>.

Brantley Lake State park

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.

Brantley Reservoir

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

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

Alkali Lake 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 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.

Guadalupe Back Country Byway

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Brantley Lake State park

Brantley Reservoir

Avalon Reservoir

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

Alkali Lake OHV Area