10 Easy Road Trips from Portales, New Mexico: Small-Town Adventures Just Beyond Roosevelt County
If you’re based in Portales, New Mexico (in Roosevelt County) and you’re itching to get out of town for a few hours, you’re in a great spot. Within about a 30–90 minute drive, you’ve got quiet lakes, quirky museums, roadside diners, and classic New Mexico scenery waiting in the surrounding counties of
Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Lea, Quay in New Mexico and
Bailey and
Cochran counties in Texas.
These
short out-of-county road trips from Portales are perfect for day trips or easy weekend escapes. Gas up, grab some snacks, and let’s go.
1. Roswell, NM (Chaves County) – Aliens, Art, and Classic New Mexico Vibes
Roswell is probably the most famous road trip from Portales, and for good reason. It’s about a 2-hour drive, so it makes a full-day outing or a fun overnight.
- International UFO Museum & Research Center – Lean into the alien theme and stroll through the exhibits. It’s campy, fun, and surprisingly informative.
- Roswell UFO-themed downtown – Lamp posts, murals, shops… everything leans into the extraterrestrial story.
- Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art – A huge, colorful surprise. If you like local art or just need a break from UFOs, this place is worth a visit.
If you grew up hearing stories about “little green men,” walking around Roswell feels a bit like stepping into a live version of those tales. It’s one of the most iconic
things to do near Portales and great for families, couples, or just curious travelers.
2. Bottomless Lakes State Park (Chaves County) – Desert Lakes and Easy Trails
Just east of Roswell,
Bottomless Lakes State Park is a unique spot for a day outdoors. Don’t worry—the lakes aren’t actually bottomless, but they are deep sinkholes with striking blue-green water.
What you can do:
- Swim at the designated beach area when it’s warm.
- Kayak or paddleboard on the calm water.
- Walk the easy trails and enjoy views of the lakes and cliffs.
It’s an easy add-on if you’re already in Roswell, or a stand‑alone road trip if you just want fresh air, water, and wide‑open skies.
3. Clovis, NM (Curry County) – Music History and Small-City Comforts
Clovis sits just north of Portales in Curry County, and it’s one of the simplest
short road trips from Portales—roughly a 20–30 minute drive, depending on where you start.
Highlights include:
- Norman & Vi Petty Rock & Roll Museum – Learn how this small town helped shape early rock and roll. Buddy Holly recorded here, and you can see vintage equipment and memorabilia.
- Hillcrest Park & Zoo – A low-key spot for a walk or a family outing.
- Plenty of places to grab a burger, Mexican food, or a diner-style breakfast.
If you’re craving “more than Portales but not a huge city,” Clovis hits that sweet spot with shopping, food, and local history.
4. Blackwater Draw Site & Museum (Curry County) – Step Back into the Ice Age
Just north of Portales in Curry County is the
Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark, one of the most important archaeological sites in North America.
Here’s what makes it special:
- It’s one of the earliest known human occupation sites in the New World.
- You can see ancient mammoth bones and learn about the Clovis culture.
- The museum and interpretive trails make it easy to understand, even if you’re not a history buff.
Walking the grounds, it’s wild to think people were living and hunting here thousands of years before there were highways, fences, or even towns like Portales.
5. Fort Sumner & Billy the Kid Country (De Baca County)
If you’re into Old West history,
Fort Sumner in De Baca County is a must-do road trip from Portales.
Top stops:
- Billy the Kid Museum – Packed with artifacts, stories, and photos. It feels more like visiting an old-time collector’s house than a formal museum—in a good way.
- Billy the Kid’s Gravesite – Head to the old Fort Sumner Cemetery to see the famous outlaw’s resting place.
- Bosque Redondo Memorial – A powerful and sobering site that tells the story of the Navajo and Mescalero Apache internment in the 1860s.
This trip gives you a mix of Wild West legend and real, difficult history. Plan a slower pace here; it’s the kind of place where you want time to read the displays and reflect.
6. Lovington, NM (Lea County) – Local Museums and Small-Town Strolls
Head southeast and you’ll find
Lovington in Lea County, a friendly town that makes for an easy-going day trip from Portales.
Consider:
- Lea County Museum – Housed in historic buildings, this museum is all about local history: ranching, early settlers, and small-town life.
- Wandering the quiet downtown and checking out local shops or cafes.
If you like low-key road trips with no big crowds and plenty of small-town character, Lovington is an easy win.
7. Hobbs, NM (Lea County) – Casino Lights, Golf, and Culture
A bit farther southeast,
Hobbs offers more things to do, especially if you want a little bit of entertainment added to your road trip.
Things to check out:
- Zia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack – Try your luck at the casino, watch horse racing in season, or just enjoy dinner and people-watching.
- Western Heritage Museum & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame – Learn about ranching, rodeo, and cowboy culture in this part of New Mexico.
- Local golf courses if you want to spend a few hours outside.
Hobbs works well as a weekend trip from Portales when you want nightlife and a hotel stay instead of just a quick outing.
8. Ute Lake State Park near Logan, NM (Quay County) – Boating and Big Skies
Quay County sits northwest of Portales, and
Ute Lake State Park near Logan is one of the region’s classic lake getaways.
At Ute Lake, you can:
- Launch a boat or jet ski and cruise the long, narrow reservoir.
- Fish from shore or by boat—people come here for bass, walleye, and catfish.
- Camp under huge night skies where you can actually see the stars.
If you grew up going to the lake on weekends, Ute Lake has that same “pack the cooler, bring the folding chairs” kind of feel, just with that wide-open New Mexico desert as the backdrop.
9. Tucumcari, NM (Quay County) – Route 66 Neon and Desert Murals
For a dose of retro Americana, point your car toward
Tucumcari in Quay County. It’s draped along the old
Route 66, and it still leans into that vintage highway charm.
Don’t miss:
- Route 66 motels and neon signs – Even just cruising the main drag at dusk feels like a step back in time.
- Tucumcari murals – The town is covered in colorful artwork that’s ideal for photos.
- Classic diners and local cafes serving simple, hearty food.
If you like photography, this is one of the best
iconic road trip spots near Portales. Plan to arrive in late afternoon so you can see it both in daylight and under the neon glow.
10. Muleshoe, TX & Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge (Bailey & Cochran Counties, TX)
Cross the state line into Texas and explore
Muleshoe and the nearby
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, which touches Bailey and Cochran counties.
In town:
- Check out local cafes and small shops in classic West Texas style.
Just outside town, the
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is the real star:
- Home to large flocks of sandhill cranes in season.
- Quiet trails and overlooks where you can watch birds, rabbits, and other wildlife.
- Big, wide-open views that feel even more remote than they actually are.
If you’re used to the farmland and plains around Portales, it still feels different once you cross into Texas. The roads stretch on, the horizon feels bigger, and the sunsets seem to last forever.
Tips for Enjoying These Short Road Trips from Portales
To make the most of these
out-of-county day trips near Portales:
- Check opening hours – Small museums and local spots sometimes have limited days or shorter hours.
- Pack water and snacks – Distances are long, and services can be spread out.
- Fill up your gas tank in Portales or Clovis – Some stretches don’t have many stations.
- Watch the weather – Summer heat, winter winds, and sudden storms are all possible on the High Plains.
One of the best parts of living in or visiting Portales is that you’re close to real variety: alien lore in Roswell, cowboy history in Hobbs, Route 66 nostalgia in Tucumcari, and quiet lakes and refuges all around.
Share Your Favorite Road Trip from Portales
Have you taken any of these
road trips near Portales, New Mexico? Maybe you’ve found the perfect green chile cheeseburger in Clovis, watched the neon come alive in Tucumcari, or spotted cranes at Muleshoe Refuge.
I’d love to hear about it.
- Which stop was your favorite?
- Did I miss a must-see spot in these nearby counties?
Drop your tips and stories in the comments so other travelers can discover new ideas. And if you know someone in Portales who’s always saying, “There’s nothing to do around here,”
share this guide with them and start planning your next mini road trip.
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