Black River Recreation Area Black River Recreation Area, 222 Washington Ranch Rd, Carlsbad, NM 88220, United States

The 1,200-acre Black River Recreation Area is managed to provide low-impact recreation and environmental education opportunities while maintaining a healthy river system and riparian habitat. This river corridor acts as a transition zone between the limestone foothills of the Guadalupe Escarpment and the southern gypsum soils to the east. Several spring-fed pools within the area comprise the headwaters of the Black River. The area includes a series of deep, elongated pools interconnected by a shallow, narrow stream.

The Black River, an oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert, is home to rare species of plants, fish and reptiles in and around the river. During migration seasons, the area teems with birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Bird populations in this small area fluctuate daily and seasonally. Visitors may observe green-backed herons, orchard orioles, yellow-billed cuckoos, and roadrunners. Lush desert vegetation and clear pools of water provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.

The recreation area's most frequently visited site is the Cottonwood Day Use Area, which includes a wildlife viewing platform, picnic tables, and a toilet. The parking area is approximately 500 feet from the water's edge.

Facilities include a restroom and picnic tables. Drinking water is not available.

Fees

• None.

Season/Hours

• Open year-round. The recreation area is day-use only.

Activities

• Hiking, fishing, watchable wildlife, universally accessible wildlife viewing platform, picnicking.

Facilities

• Restroom and picnic tables. Drinking water is not available

Special Rules

• No overnight camping, weapons, or OHV use is permitted within the Black River Recreation Area.

Granted it doesn’t look like much of an oasis at first glance, but believe it or not there’s a verdant patch of land just around the corner. Parking is available in a level gravel area near the picnic area, with barrier-free access to the accessible vault toilet and a mostly level dirt path to two accessible picnic tables. That said, plan ahead as ironically there’s no drinking water available at this oasis.

From the picnic area, a wide, level, 500-foot boardwalk winds around to a viewing platform that overlooks a marshy section of the Black River. Hence the oasis. Resident birds include the great blue heron, American coot, loggerhead shrike, great horned owl and even the occasional roadrunner. There’s usually a healthy population of waterfowl too, and during the spring and fall migrations there’s a notable increase in the avian residents. Interpretive plaques are located along the boardwalk, and it’s just a quiet, shady place to take a break. And since most folks usually pass it by, you’ll likely have this desert oasis all to yourself.