10 Easy Road Trips from Hobbs, New Mexico: Fun Things To Do Just Outside Lea County
If you’re in
Hobbs, New Mexico and feel like a change of scenery, you’re in luck. Within a couple of hours, you can find quirky museums, desert hikes, alien lore, and even a hidden oasis or two.
The best part? These are all
out-of-county road trips, so you’ll be exploring beyond Lea County into nearby parts of New Mexico and Texas: Chaves, Eddy, Roosevelt, Andrews, Cochran, Gaines, Loving, Winkler, and Yoakum.
Whether you’ve just moved to Hobbs or have lived here for years, these short drives will give you new ideas for weekend adventures.
1. Explore Alien Country in Roswell, NM (Chaves County)
Roswell is probably the most famous day trip from Hobbs, and it lives up to the hype. It’s about a
2.5–3 hour drive northwest, perfect for a full-day getaway.
- International UFO Museum & Research Center – Dive into the 1947 Roswell incident, look at old newspaper clippings, and decide for yourself if we’re alone in the universe.
- Alien-themed shops – Grab a green alien T-shirt, a quirky mug, or some space-themed candy along Main Street.
- Street art and photo ops – Neon signs, flying saucer statues, and painted aliens make for fun road trip photos.
If you’re into
UFOs, conspiracy theories, or just good stories, Roswell is a must. Even if you’re a skeptic, it’s a fun, walkable town with plenty of places to eat and people-watch.
2. Spend the Day in Carlsbad, NM (Eddy County)
Carlsbad is about
1.5–2 hours west of Hobbs and makes a great base for exploring the Pecos River and nearby parks.
- Carlsbad Riverwalk – Stroll along the Pecos River, watch ducks, and enjoy a laid-back small-town vibe.
- Lake Carlsbad Beach Park – Rent a paddleboard, take a swim in summer, or have a picnic under the shade trees.
- Carlsbad Museum – Explore local history and art in a compact, easy-to-enjoy setting.
Carlsbad has that classic New Mexico desert feel but with water views, which always feels like a bonus in this part of the state.
3. Go Underground at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Eddy County)
From Hobbs, you can reach
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in about
2–2.5 hours. This is one of the top attractions in the entire region and totally worth the drive.
- Walk the Natural Entrance – Hike down about 1.25 miles into the cave. It’s like walking into a stone cathedral that just keeps going.
- Big Room – Take the self-guided trail through one of the largest cave chambers in North America.
- Bat flight (in season) – In late spring through early fall, watch thousands of bats spiral out of the cave at dusk. It’s an unforgettable sight.
Wear a light jacket, even in summer. It stays around
56°F underground, which feels nice after a hot desert drive.
4. Hidden Gem: Sitting Bull Falls (Eddy County)
About
2.5–3 hours from Hobbs, Sitting Bull Falls feels like a secret desert oasis tucked into the Lincoln National Forest.
- Waterfall and pool – A cool stream tumbles over a rocky cliff into a clear pool. It’s surprisingly lush for southeastern New Mexico.
- Picnic spots – Covered shelters make it a great place for a family cookout.
- Hiking trails – Short hikes lead to overlooks and side canyons. Nothing too complicated, just enough to stretch your legs.
If you’re craving
water, shade, and quiet, this is one of the best side trips from Carlsbad or a long day trip from Hobbs.
5. Walk the College Town Streets of Portales, NM (Roosevelt County)
Portales sits about
2.5 hours north of Hobbs and has a relaxed, small-college-town feel thanks to Eastern New Mexico University.
- ENMU campus – Stroll the grounds, check out the statues, and enjoy the green spaces.
- Blackwater Draw Museum – Learn about the ancient Clovis people and early human history on the High Plains.
- Local coffee and diners – Grab a burger, a green chile dish, or coffee and people-watch near campus.
Portales is a good choice if you like
local culture and history more than tourist crowds.
6. Small-Town Texas Vibes in Andrews, TX (Andrews County)
Just over the state line,
Andrews, Texas is about a
1–1.5 hour drive southeast of Hobbs. It’s an easy trip if you want a quick change of scene without a long haul.
- Parks and walking paths – Stretch your legs at a local park or take a walk after lunch.
- Local restaurants – Enjoy classic Texas comfort food, barbecue, and hearty plates that’ll keep you full all day.
- Small-town sports – Depending on the season, catch a local game or community event.
Andrews is simple, friendly, and familiar. It’s the kind of place where you feel at home even on your first visit.
7. See the Pump Jacks and Big Sky in Seminole, TX (Gaines County)
About
1.5–2 hours east of Hobbs, Seminole offers a slice of West Texas life with wide-open spaces and strong farming and oil roots.
- Local shops – Check out small boutiques, Western wear, and hardware stores that feel straight out of a movie.
- Community parks – Relax under the trees, let the kids play, or just sit and enjoy the breeze.
- Scenic drives – A lot of the fun here is simply driving the backroads, watching pump jacks and endless fields roll by.
If you love
roadside photography—old barns, dusty roads, big skies—Seminole and the surrounding Gaines County roads are perfect.
8. Step into Farm Country in Plains, TX (Yoakum County)
Head about
1.5–2 hours northeast and you’ll reach Plains, the seat of Yoakum County. It’s a quiet farming community with that wide-open High Plains feel.
- Courthouse square – Walk around the square and soak in the small-town Texas atmosphere.
- Local diners – Grab a plate of chicken-fried steak or tacos where everybody knows everybody.
- Country drives – Cruise the rural roads and watch the cotton fields and ranchland stretch out for miles.
Plains makes a good slow-paced day trip if you just want to
get out of the house, drive, and decompress.
9. Borderlands Detour Through Winkler County, TX
Just south of the New Mexico line, Winkler County sits about
2–2.5 hours from Hobbs, depending where you go. Kermit, the county seat, is a true West Texas town.
- Classic small-town main street – Old storefronts, local shops, and that “everybody waves” kind of town.
- Oilfield scenery – This is deep oil country. You’ll see rigs, pump jacks, and trucks moving at all hours.
- Open desert views – Sunsets here are huge and colorful, with almost nothing blocking the horizon.
It’s not a tourist hotspot, but if you’re curious about
real West Texas oil country, Winkler County gives you an honest look.
10. Remote Desert Roads in Loving County, TX
Loving County, just across the border from New Mexico, is one of the
least populated counties in the entire United States. Driving there from Hobbs takes around
2–2.5 hours, and the journey is part of the adventure.
- Lonely highways – You may drive for miles without seeing another car. It’s peaceful, a bit eerie, and very memorable.
- Big-sky views – On a clear day or starry night, the sky seems to go on forever.
- True “middle of nowhere” feel – If you’ve ever wanted to know what “remote” really means, this is it.
Pack plenty of gas, water, and snacks. This is a road trip for people who love
silence, space, and the open road more than attractions or shopping.
Tips for Road Trips from Hobbs, New Mexico
Before you head out of Lea County, a few simple tips can make your day go smoother:
- Fuel up early – In some areas, gas stations can be 30–50 miles apart or more.
- Carry water – The desert is dry year-round. Keep extra bottles in the car.
- Check the weather – Summer heat, winter ice, or sudden wind can all affect your drive.
- Download maps – Cell service can be spotty in rural New Mexico and West Texas.
These short trips from Hobbs are all about
simple pleasures: a good drive, a new park to walk in, a new café to try, or a view you haven’t seen before.
Where Will You Go Next from Hobbs?
From
Roswell’s UFO stories to
Carlsbad’s underground wonders, from
college-town Portales to the
quiet roads of Loving County, Texas, you’ve got a surprising number of options within just a few hours of Hobbs.
If you’ve been thinking, “There’s nothing to do around here,” try picking one of these road trips for your next free day. Even a simple drive and a new lunch spot can shake up your routine in the best way.
Have you taken a favorite day trip from Hobbs?
Share your go-to spots, hidden gems, or road trip stories in the comments—your ideas might inspire someone else’s next adventure.
And if you found this guide helpful,
share it with friends or family in Hobbs who are always asking, “So…what can we do this weekend?”
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