Ahead of schedule into Lubbock Texas

[docsouce]

We are going to arrive LubbockTexas on Friday June 30. We are set up to be at the Carlsbad KOA July 2,3 and the 4th and Roswell on July 5th. So that gives us Saturday and Sunday June 30/July 1 open and nothing planned. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few places we could camp/visit that will keep us within 200 miles of Carlsbad NM?

[docsouce]

Thanks for the fast replies. We're heading to Paolo Duro Friday then on to Fort Davis. Again Thanks

[patperry2766]

X2 on Ft Davis. The star watching party at McDonald Observatory was incredible and for sure worth the trip itself. Balmorrhea SP has a spring fed swimming pool that's a great way to spend a afternoon cooling off.

There is a really nice museum on Sul Ross campus in Alpine, and of course the old military fort.

Right now, it is their rainy season, and with the increased elevation, it is the COOLEST place in Texas. We were there last summer and this was one of the places that my wife said she wouldn't mind coming back to.

If you do go this direction, and are a coffee drinker, there is a coffee roaster in Marfa called Big Bend Coffee Roasters. They sell the products at some of the local stores, but this is the place where they make it. Owner was pretty cool and he gave us about 10 of the old bulk coffee bags that the beans are imported in just by asking.

[NMDriver2]

200 miles from Carlsbad is a big circle. Try Cloudcroft or Mayhill for cooler weather, some forest trails and trout fishing..

[manley]

Paolo Duro Canyon.

[Heisenberg]

Davis Mountains State Park.

[Isaac-1]

A couple of thoughts, first it is HOT in west Texas at the moment, so perhaps something indoors, or during the cooler evening hours, like the West of the Pecos museum in Pecos Texas. Fort Davis in the Davis mountains is about 160 miles south of Carlsbad and is always good for a couple of days, there is McDonald Observatory about 15 miles west of Ft Davis, with a nice visitors center and public observing star parties 3 or 4 nights per week, for outdoor activities there is also some nice walking trails at the Nature center about 2 miles out of town http://www.cdri.org/nature-center.html and of course there is Marfa TX about 30 miles farther south which has became an artists mecca over the last 15-20 years.

If you do opt to go to Fort Davis, take hwy 17 (or 118 if you are adventuresome and in a smaller coach) vs 67 as they are far more scenic though have lower speed limits (most of 67 is a 75 mph speed limit) I have never driven hwy 118 from Van Horn to McDonald Observatory in anything larger than a 21 ft camper van, but from memory can't think of any issues, it is somewhat narrow, but very very little traffic, and a number of pull off picnic table sites along the way.

[RVhiker]

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home of the highest peak in Texas. It is a vigorous climb to the top and a great view. Start early, carry lots of water. Also in the park is the very beautiful McKittrick Canyon Trail. Everything will be hot, hot, hot. The RV campground is a parking lot, with no hookups but water for a tank fill up available. There is not a dump station. Guadalupe Pass can be scary windy. Check weather forecasts.