10 Easy Road Trips from Clovis, NM: Fun Things To Do Just Outside Curry County
If you live in or around
Clovis, New Mexico, you know it’s a friendly town with a big sky and plenty of wind. But what if you’re itching to get out of Curry County for a day or a weekend?
The good news: you don’t have to drive far to find something new.
Below are
10 short road trips from Clovis that take you into the nearby counties of
Quay, Roosevelt (NM) and
Bailey, Deaf Smith, and Parmer (TX). Each stop offers something different—lake time, Route 66 history, small-town cafes, wide-open ranch land, and those famous West Texas sunsets.
Most of these trips are under 2 hours from Clovis, making them perfect for a day trip or easy overnight getaway.
1. Ute Lake State Park – Quay County, NM
If you’re craving water, head to
Ute Lake State Park near Logan in Quay County. It’s roughly a 1.5–2 hour drive northwest of Clovis, depending on your route.
This long, narrow reservoir on the Canadian River is a favorite with locals for:
- Boating and jet skiing
- Fishing for walleye, bass, and catfish
- Camping by the water
- Easy hiking and shoreline walks
On hot summer days, Ute Lake feels like a totally different world compared to the dusty plains around Clovis. Pack a cooler, some folding chairs, and your fishing gear. If you have a small boat or kayak, even better.
Tip: Try to arrive early on holiday weekends—lake campgrounds can fill fast, and shaded spots are the first to go.
2. Tucumcari & Route 66 Neon – Quay County, NM
If you’ve ever wanted to step into a vintage postcard,
Tucumcari is your place. About 100 miles northwest of Clovis, this old Route 66 town is packed with retro charm.
You’ll find:
- Classic Route 66 neon signs that glow at night
- Colorful murals all over downtown walls
- Vintage-style motels and diners
- Small museums with highway and local ranching history
Stroll the old strip in the evening when the signs light up. Grab a burger or a slice of pie at a local diner and imagine what it was like when cross-country travelers rolled through town in big old Buicks and Chevys.
It’s an easy weekend trip: head up on Saturday, stay the night, wander back Sunday.
3. Oasis State Park – Roosevelt County, NM
Just north of Portales in Roosevelt County,
Oasis State Park lives up to its name. It’s usually about a 1-hour drive from Clovis, and it makes a great last-minute escape.
The park has:
- A small fishing pond stocked for beginners and kids
- Sand dunes with a soft, desert vibe
- Short, easy nature trails
- Plenty of spots for picnics and photos
The dunes glow at sunrise and sunset, and the whole place feels quiet and peaceful. It’s a good choice if you want something low-key without a long drive.
Family idea: Bring a simple picnic, a kite, and a camera, and turn it into a half-day outing with the kids.
4. Portales Small-Town Flavor – Roosevelt County, NM
About 20 miles southwest of Clovis (but in neighboring Roosevelt County),
Portales has a laid-back small-town feel with a college twist thanks to Eastern New Mexico University.
While you’re there, you can:
- Walk around the ENMU campus and enjoy the green lawns and statues
- Visit local coffee shops and bakeries around downtown
- Explore small shops that sell New Mexico-made goods
- Catch a college sports game in season
It’s not a high-stress trip. You can easily drive over for lunch, stroll around for a couple of hours, and be back in Clovis by evening.
If you’re used to the streets of Clovis, Portales feels familiar—but still just different enough to feel like a mini getaway.
5. Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge – Bailey County, TX
One of the most unique spots near Clovis sits just across the state line in Texas. The
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, in Bailey County, is the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas and about a 1.5-hour drive from Clovis.
This is a must-visit for:
- Birdwatching, especially in winter
- Seeing sandhill cranes (tens of thousands at peak migration)
- Wide views of the shortgrass prairie
- Quiet sunrise and sunset photography
On cold winter evenings, the sound of cranes coming in to roost is something you don’t forget. Even if you’re not a “bird person,” watching giant flocks move across the sky is pretty amazing.
Pack: Binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens if you have one, and a warm jacket—the wind can cut right through you out there.
6. Muleshoe, TX – Small-Town Stop in Bailey County
Since you’re already in Bailey County, it’s worth spending a little time in the town of
Muleshoe, Texas itself.
You can:
- Check out the town’s mule statues and local landmarks
- Grab a bite at an old-school Texas cafe or BBQ joint
- Drive quiet backroads and enjoy the open farmland
It’s not a big city by any means, but that’s part of the charm. It feels a bit like stepping back in time. If you grew up in a small town, you might find yourself remembering old Friday night football games and country dances.
7. Hereford, TX – “Beef Capital of the World” in Deaf Smith County
Head east-southeast from Clovis into
Deaf Smith County, Texas, and you’ll reach
Hereford, known for its cattle industry and wide, flat horizons.
What to do there?
- Grab a hearty meal at a local steakhouse
- Visit small local museums if open, and learn a bit about ranching
- Drive the surrounding roads and watch the sunset over the feedlots and fields
You’ll smell the cattle before you see them, but you’ll also get a good feel for how big ranching really is in this part of Texas. It’s an eye-opener if you’re used to town life.
Road tip: The winds can be strong on the Texas plains. Keep a good grip on the steering wheel and watch for dust on dry days.
8. Friona, TX – Parmer County Pride
In Parmer County, just across the New Mexico line, you’ll find
Friona, which calls itself the “Cheeseburger Capital of Texas.” It’s a small farming community, but that just makes it more relaxing as a quick day trip from Clovis.
In and around Friona you can:
- Stop for a classic Texas burger or plate lunch
- Explore the tiny downtown and local shops
- Take a slow drive through farm and ranch country
If you enjoy simple pleasures—friendly people, quiet streets, big skies—Friona delivers. It’s the kind of place where the waitress might ask where you’re from and actually care about the answer.
9. Farwell, TX – Gateway to the Lone Star State (Parmer County)
Just across the state line west of Clovis sits
Farwell, Texas, also in Parmer County. While you’ll likely pass through it often, it’s worth treating it as a destination now and then.
You can:
- Grab a meal at a local Tex-Mex or country-style restaurant
- Walk or drive around and check out historic buildings and grain elevators
- Use it as a starting point for deeper road trips into the Texas Panhandle
Think of Farwell as your “doorway” to Texas adventures—Amarillo, Lubbock, and more are all reachable if you keep going.
10. Country Backroads Loop – Roosevelt & Parmer Counties
Sometimes the best trip isn’t to a single place. It’s a
loop.
One fun idea from Clovis is to create your own
backroads circuit that passes through parts of
Roosevelt County, NM and
Parmer County, TX.
For example, you could:
- Start in Clovis and head toward Portales
- Cut across farm roads toward the Texas line
- Drift up through a few tiny communities in Parmer County
- Loop back toward Farwell and home
Along the way, you’ll see:
- Windmills and center-pivot irrigation systems
- Old farmhouses and barns
- Fields of corn, sorghum, cotton, or wheat depending on the season
- Plenty of room to pull over and take photos
This is the kind of drive where you roll down the window, turn up the music, and let the miles go by. No schedule. No big attractions. Just you, the road, and that big New Mexico–Texas sky.
Safety note: Make sure you have enough gas, water, and a basic map or offline directions—cell service can be spotty on backroads.
Tips for Planning Your Road Trips from Clovis
To make these
Clovis day trips and weekend getaways smoother:
- Check the weather: Plains storms can pop up fast, and winds can be strong.
- Call ahead: For museums, campgrounds, or special attractions, hours can change by season.
- Pack a cooler: Snacks, water, and maybe a few treats save money and time.
- Bring layers: Even in summer, evenings by the lake or open prairie can feel chilly.
- Don’t forget sunscreen: That sun is no joke, even on breezy days.
Ready to Explore Beyond Curry County?
Living in
Clovis, NM puts you in a great spot. In just an hour or two you can:
- Walk along a quiet lake shore
- Watch cranes fill the sky at sunset
- Eat a cheeseburger in a tiny Texas town
- Follow the glow of Route 66 neon
You don’t need a huge budget or a week off work. Just a tank of gas, a free day, and a little curiosity.
Now it’s your turn: Which road trip from Clovis sounds best to you—Route 66 in Tucumcari, birdwatching at Muleshoe Refuge, or a lazy day at Ute Lake?
Share Your Own Clovis Road Trip Ideas
Have you taken any of these
out-of-county road trips from Clovis? Did I miss one of your favorite hidden spots in Quay, Roosevelt, Bailey, Deaf Smith, or Parmer County?
I’d love to hear about it.
- Drop a comment with your must-see place or best local cafe find.
- Share this post with friends and family who live in or around Clovis, NM and are always saying, “There’s nothing to do around here.”
Sometimes all it takes is one new drive to remind you how much there is to explore right outside your own backyard.
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