Score Plenty of Outdoor Activities in Roswell, NM
Enjoy a wide variety of year-round fun, including visits to a working ranch, in this New Mexico gem.
When you live in Roswell, NM, you get used to seeing little green men. They’re on murals, mugs and T-shirts, they hold up restaurant signs, and stand watch in front of stores.
The city fully embraces the 1947 Roswell incident when a flying saucer supposedly crashed into a field outside of town. But you don’t have to believe the story to take part in the Alien Chase, a 5K walk and run during the annual UFO Festival in July. And yes, some participants dress up like little green men! December brings another 5K brimming with holiday cheer, the Light Up the Night Fun Run.
Of course, these are just two events on two days. There are plenty of great outdoor activities in Roswell that you can participate in year-round.
In This Article
Hit the Trails
Roswell has numerous trails for year-round running and walking. Chaves County participates in New Mexico Prescription Trails, a project that helps health care providers and patients develop personalized walking programs. The Spring River Recreation Trail is Roswell’s signature route. Divided into three corridors, it runs through downtown, from Enchanted Lands Park on the west side to Spring River Zoo on the east.
Plenty of Parks and Golf Courses
Outdoor activities in Roswell are a high priority. The city has nearly 700 acres of parks with modern, well-maintained facilities, including softball, baseball and soccer fields; basketball, volleyball and tennis courts; a skate park and even horseshoe pits. Then, there’s the Roswell Recreation & Aquatic Center, which has two pools, fitness classes, exercise machines and weights.
For a look at wildlife, head to the J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary and Nature Center or the Spring River Zoo with native and exotic animal species.
Golfers appreciate Roswell’s relatively mild seasons and abundant sunshine. The city features two 18-hole courses, Nancy Lopez Golf Course at Spring River and New Mexico Military Institute Golf Course. The Country Club of Roswell is a nine-hole course. You can play disc golf in Roswell, too. Enchanted Lands Park has an 18-hole course, while Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell’s course has nine holes.
Adventure Sports
The outdoors are for exploring. Roswell lies within about two hours’ drive of three national parks: White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains.
And the recreational opportunities are as varied as the terrain. You might not expect a wetland in such a dry area, but just 20 minutes northeast of Roswell is Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Here, the Pecos River creates an oasis where desert meets shortgrass prairie.
Daytrip Idea!
Located 40 miles east of Roswell, Mescalero Sands North Dune OHV Area has more than 600 acres of 90-foot-high sand dunes, great fun for all-terrain cycles, sand rails and dune buggies.
Popular with hikers, birders and hunters, the diverse ecosystem supports hundreds of different species of plants and animals. The refuge is a major stop for migrating birds. Southeast of Roswell are more unexpected watering holes – nine to be exact.
The sinkholes at Bottomless Lakes State Park range from 17 to 90 feet deep. Underwater plants create the bottomless illusion and also give the water its gorgeous blue-green color. You can scuba dive there, too, but more mainstream activities include swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and camping.
Roswell also has two nearby off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas. Notable for its extremely rugged terrain, Haystack Mountain is 30 minutes northeast of town. Suitable for both OHVs and motorcycles, it has 1,920 acres of trails on bare rock and sandy washes and is appropriate for all skill levels.
Remote Ranch Stays
When participating in outdoor activities in Roswell, it’s important to get to know the cowboy culture. Two working ranches give firsthand encounters for you and out-of-town guests.
Burnt Well Guest Ranch is located 40 miles southwest of Roswell. Deep in the desert with little to no cell service, the lodge-style guest hacienda is comfortably appointed with a fireplace and hot tub. It also serves hearty cowboy suppers. The family-owned working ranch offers unlimited horseback rides and lessons, cattle drives, roping instruction and campfires.
With horses, goats and chickens, Anaya Trinity is a working ranch much closer to town. Ten minutes southeast of Roswell, it has a one-bedroom guest house with a patio designed for sunrise and sunset viewing.
It’s a fitting way to enjoy New Mexico’s expressive skies in this outdoor-minded city.
Get to Know Roswell and Chaves County
Want to learn more about living and working in Roswell, NM? Check out the latest edition of Livability Roswell-Chaves County, New Mexico.
