At Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the Chihuahuan Desert, shortgrass prairie, Pecos River and Roswell Artesian Basin converge. Its biodiversity is also remarkable: 357 bird species have been recorded there, and more than 100 dragonfly and damselfly species occur there. The meeting of different landscapes and the wildlife are equally in focus.
Discover Nature and Landscapes
The Bottomless Lakes State Park, about 15 miles southeast of Roswell, offers a different kind of landscape. The park consists of a chain of eight lakes that are actually water-filled sinkholes. They range in depth from 17 to 90 feet. Trails offer another way to explore the landscape.
At Spring River Zoo, environmental education and wildlife are at the heart of programs and events; the offerings are also aimed at tourists. On the Capitan Trail, visitors can observe several animals up close. The river lowlands there are a habitat for raccoons, badgers and great horned owls, among others. The zoo thus combines educational activities with opportunities to observe native wildlife.
Art and Museums in Roswell
The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art opened in Roswell in 1994 to exhibit works by former participants in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. Its collection comprises more than 500 diverse works of art, displayed across twelve galleries in 22,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Roswell Museum and Art Center has a different focus: it preserves and promotes the art and history of the American Southwest and neighboring regions. Its permanent collection and archives include more than 11,000 works of art and historical materials.
The International UFO Museum and Research Center explores the 1947 Roswell Incident and other unexplained phenomena related to UFO research. Roswell’s geographic location can also be defined precisely: the city lies at the confluence of the Spring, Hondo and Pecos rivers.
History and Practical Information
The McBride Museum has twelve exhibit areas on the history of the New Mexico Military Institute. Topics include horses, women, sports, an early cadet dormitory and the institute’s Hall of Fame. The building that now houses the museum once housed what became the first indoor swimming pool west of the Mississippi. On regular working days, the museum is open to the public free of charge Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Anderson Museum also has set visiting hours: it is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Check opening hours before your visit so you can plan your museum stops accordingly.
Blackdom offers another perspective on the region’s history. Blackdom was New Mexico’s most significant colony founded by Black homesteaders. The archives of the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico include more than 14,000 photographs and hundreds of manuscripts. These holdings differ from art collections and museum exhibitions: they offer access to photographic and written sources.
Discover more destinations: Roswell, Santa Fe, Otero County, Socorro, Torrance County, Curry, Grant County, Hidalgo County.
For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.
