By Michele Robertson
Taking time outdoors is beneficial for many reasons; luckily, Carlsbad has many outdoor recreation options—from National Parks to the Bureau of Land Management’s public lands to the Lincoln National Forest and the State Parks in the area.
Carlsbad boasts a plethora of activities to enjoy with the family, and a popular one to visit is the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, unique as home to animals that can only be found within the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park at 1504 Skyline Road atop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Another state park in the region full of fun to be had is Brantley Lake State Park. Water sports abound there, which is important in the area’s desert climate. It also happens to be the lowest-elevation park in the New Mexico State Park system. Brantley Lake State Park is between Carlsbad and Artesia at 33 East Brantley Lake Road. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and camping is open 24/7 with pay stations.
Wendy Mason, Marketing and Public Relations Manager and Records Custodian for the New Mexico State Parks Division, shared information about the area state parks.
“The State Parks Division’s mission is to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources, provide first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and
promote public safety and education to benefit and enrich the lives of visitors,” Mason said.
“State parks are often economic drivers for local businesses, towns, and cities. Many rural
communities rely on a state park as a major source of economic development,” she added.
“Outdoor recreation has been shown to have many physical, mental, emotional, and
environmental benefits. Spending time in nature can improve overall health, enhance cognitive function, reduce stress, and foster social connections. Outdoor activities can also
promote environmental awareness, encourage sustainable practices, and promote good stewardship of our public spaces and lands,” Mason said.
Safety in the outdoors is important to keep in mind. “Be sure to follow all public lands rules and regulations. Reach out to park staff or regional offices to ask about how to enjoy the lands and waters safely. Check websites for alerts and be aware of what environmental hazards may exist in different climates and areas,” Mason explained.
“Please do your due diligence to know how to keep you and your friends and family safe in
our public lands and waters. Always wear a life jacket while boating, paddling, tubing, or
swimming, and keep a very close eye on children near the water,” Mason implored.
Mason shared some visitation statistics: Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Parks 2023 visitation was 36,588. An average summer week at Brantley Lake State Park serves more than 1,000 visitors, and there were 1,123 visitors last week alone. Brantley Lake 2023 visitation was 89,099. State Parks 2023 total visitation for all 35 parks was 5,136,705.
Following the principles of Leave No Trace is encouraged as people recreate on public lands; visitors are also asked to plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors. Recently, a bag of Cheetos was left behind in Carlsbad Caverns, disturbing the delicate ecosystem there. Taking the Leave No Trace principles into consideration could have prevented this by packing out what they packed in.
World Clean Up Day is Friday, September 20, and National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 28. These days are intended for public awareness and action on the need to clean up our public spaces.
“Littering is sometimes a problem in most parks and public lands. Our staff works diligently to make sure our parks are clean and well-kept. It can be a challenge, but we do our best to keep up with it with the resources we have,” said Mason.
To learn more about area State Parks, visit https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/.../living-desert-zoo-and.../
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