Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park Reviews

Yes, it was hot and dry (we are from Texas so we understand). Our family of four adults stopped on our way out of Carlsbad. On a trip featuring 3 National Parks and a Texas State Park, we still found the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to be a highlight of the trip. We learned a lot about the desert biomes that we did not know, enjoyed the beautiful views from the top of the hill, and even got to see most of the animals. Yes, the bear and mountain lion stayed hidden...but that was our fault for waiting until the heat of the day. We did get to enjoy feeding time for the javelina. I grew up around prairie dogs, so the prairie dog town was definitely my favorite! It was a lovely walk, and it is obvious that the facility has been lovingly maintained.

There's not much to do in a town like Carlsbad. We arrived in the afternoon, a bit too late to go to the Caverns, so we needed something to do for an hour or two. The Zoo is about the only game in town for entertainment to passerbys. The Zoo is cheap and focuses specifically on desert wildlife. It turned out being a nice introduction to the territory as we were headed to Big Bend later that week. Some of the animals we saw here, we later saw in the wild. There are a decent number of exhibits including birds, bison, elk, prairie dogs, plants, mountain cats, nocturnal animals, and somewhat feisty snakes. Some of the exhibits were newer than others, but they were all fairly well done. We were able to burn a solid 90 minutes or so here. This attraction isn't a world beater, but it's not bad for a dusty town.

I am very displeased with how rude lady was. Just because I’m not from New Mexico I couldn’t walk through the living desert. I think that is very rude and very selfish and I’m not very happy about it. I don’t understand how the living Desert park can make any money not allowing visitors to travel through. My group was a group of three we all had masks on and we were willing to be socially distant. I feel that it is a big disappointment to anyone who is from out of state that would like to see it and that they need to change the rules and laws. I’m offended and I will never stop by the living Desert again and I will not recommend it to anybody else.

In the deserts of New Mexico, in the city of Carlsbad, you will find a wonderful jewel. This is a must stop for travelers as you venture to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This state park is a wealth of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, as well as the native people of the area.

As you walk into the welcome center, you will be see many displays that tell the story of Southern New Mexico. There are hands on exhibits that kids can handle, as well as displays that take you through the timeline of the area. New Mexico is beautiful state with many treasures for travelers that take a moment to stop and enjoy.

To access the Zoo you must purchase tickets. There are discounts for military, seniors, and kids. The pathways are all paved and anyone that requires a mobility device, such as a wheelchair, can enjoy the park without any problem. Dress for the weather, as it will be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

Sitting atop a hill that overlooks the mesa below, you can take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape with few obstacles. Each of the exhibits focus on native species. The animals you will find have all been rescued, but are unable to be released back into the wild due to injury.

There is a quaint gift shop available for souvenirs and some locally sourced arts, crafts, and food stuffs.

Don't dismiss this great spot, it is worth the time to visit.

#timmietraveller #7csofetx #homeschoolers #fulltimefamilies @xscapers @7csofetx @fulltimefamilies

It was too late in the day to drive to the caverns so we decided to go to this park. It is fairly small with animals native to the desert and Great Plains areas. There are nothing but native plants. the hike is a 1.5 mile loop to see all of the areas and animals. Make sure you have lots of water as the walk is very sunny and can get hot.

A nice walk through the different types of areas in the desert. Some of the animals were in hibernation, but we did get to see deer, elk, and mountain lions - they were very active. A prairie dog even popped his head up!

They need to do two things—have seasonal pricing and senior pricing.

In February, a lot is dull and brown, and many of the animals are hiding. I’m sure at other times of the year it’s quite lovely and it was a nice walk through well planned exhibits, but $10 per person for what there was to see seemed high.

We visited the Zoo because we have one child that wouldn't be big enough to go through the Caverns. He is 3 years old and has a 6 year old brother and they are very noisy. We were able to navigate this Zoo quite well and there were good things to see. They have a nice collection of animals and plants on the self guided tour and it was about the right length at less than 2 hours.

A super FUN afternoon at our local state park. Kuddos to the MANY volunteers who helped make it a success! Face paint. Couple of Art projects CAKE and of course many of us re visit the exhibits. The highlight of course was watching Maggie enjoy her special birthday gifts
This is a wonderful State Park for locals as well as tourists

The zoo park was rather small and the exhibits they had werw outdated . The weathered looking ranger? With blondish hair was really rude for no reason. I would skip unless you have nevwr been to a good zoo_/animal exhibit before.

Came here in Feb. 2018, and hoped this place would be somewhat like the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. We knew it would not once we saw how empty the parking lot was on arrival at 11:30 am. The park is run by the State and it unfortunately shows. There are a lot of nice interpretive sighs and illustrations. The animal exhibits were ok, many of them empty. However, the mountain lion and bobcat were spectacular. I am not normally one who supports animal confinement but these subjects for what ever reason were not able to love in the wild. The Golden and Bald eagles were also nice as you could really see them. And lucky for us, but sad for this year’s water situation is it was 85 and dry. The turtles and the tortoises were out to view.

This facility can use lots of love and support. All of the staff we met were volunteers and they were all very helpful. The succulent display was a nice surprise.

I stayed in Carlsbad for 2 days to see the caves. Decided to hit up this zoo on my way out before I left town and I was actually impressed. It was pretty cool for a smaller zoo. Very decent variety of animals. I was very entertained watching the black bear, the ground hogs, and the mountain lion. I will say at around 1:00pm it was very hot out so I think a few of the animals didn't want to show themselves. I didn't get to see the wolves which I really wanted to see but it was a good experience still. Only negative thing was there were several empty exhibits in the nocturnal room and the lemur cage was empty as well which I really wanted to see. All in all, definitely see this place before leaving Carlsbad!

We went right after Thanksgiving. Family of 10. Half of exhibits close or animals moved for renovations. Not worth the admission

An excellent state park when in the New Mexico area to see the plants you drive by at 70 miles an hour. It enriched our site-seeing as we are now "seeing" the plants as we travel. They do have animals both reptiles and mammals plus some very informative exhibits.

This is the desert, so please don't go in the middle of the day during the summer months. First stop is the visitors center, which offers you a map and lots of interactive information about the area and creatures that used to live there. Plenty of bathrooms along the route. A couple places where the hike was steep. We were fortunate enough to see every animal while we were there.

This indoor and outdoor museum and zoo has a lot to take in and will probably consume the greater part of a day ( we rushed through in 4 hrs and had to leave because it was closing).

Kids really enjoyed this zoo. We were able to take lots of pictures. It was an easy drive from our hotel.

We visited here on Dec. 27 as part of a long road trip from our home in southeastern PA out to New Mexico. We combined this site and Carlsbad Caverns National Park (see separate review) for a nice day’s outing.

We enjoyed our time here! The Visitor’s Center contained many nice exhibits, including some minerals. A good map is provided for exploring the grounds. There is a nice layout here, with caged or penned animals and birds spread out along a landscaped paved looping pathway; however, perhaps because it was late December, many of the pens and cages were empty, so we didn’t see that many animals. We enjoyed the Nocturnal Exhibit and the Succulents of the World building.

We love zoos and gardens, so we enjoyed this combination site and its nice desert setting (being from PA, desert habitats are a treat for us). The naturalistic design, with many rock and water features among the plantings, made our 90-minute visit here very enjoyable. There is free onsite parking and a very reasonable admission charge.

Poorly maintained. Animals holed up. Exposed pvc pipe all throughout walk. Looks as if no staff cares to do any work to keep the place nice. Has remained a zoo of the 1960’s as far as animal habitat. Really, really sad.

I enjoyed walking through the exhibits to experience some of the flora and fauna of the region. The exhibits are quit well done with plenty of plants to enjoy close up. Unfortunately we picked midday to visit and many of the larger animals were either not out or just laying around.

There was s gift shop and more exhibits in the main building.

They also had a cactuses of the world exhibit along with a fish pond.

It was quite pleasant walking around with many nice views.

I would recommend abc go back.

Small zoo with interesting animals. Cheap to visit and had friendly staff. Highly recommend spending a couple of hours there. Only has vending machines though so keep that in mind if going with kids

Don't think that the Caverns are the only point of interest in Carlsbad, NM. This is a very informative place to go to learn and view native plants and animals. Yes, there are not a lot of animals, mostly because I believe many are rescued that cannot go back into the wild. The walk through the various zones is well organized and labeled. The cost is a steal (in our case, they had a reciprocity agreement with our own zoo, so it was free). There were few people there in October, so we did the tour at our own pace.

Enjoyed an afternoon at the Living Desert Zoo. Have in past years visited many Zoos around world when opportunity permitted and so was not expecting much for cost of $5 entry fee, but actually there were quite a few animals to see . Also State Park is nicely situated out of town, but in an easy drive. I personally appreciated viewing the snakes most as was keen to see what I needed to avoid treading on in desert during my 5 week road trip.Also gave me chance to see mountain lions which had remained hidden whilst in Big Bend. Bears refused to appear wherever, albeit many other animals willing to be clearly seen. Also, a good sized visitor centre with interesting display and enthusiatic staff. Enjoy your visit.

My husband and I enjoyed our visit. With patience, we were able to see many animals and enjoyed the botanical exhibits. If you have some time while visiting the area, pop in for a visit.

We stopped here for a couple hours while in Carlsbad. The self guided tour introduces you to some of the common plants and animals in the area. They have a small aviary as well as some of the larger animals, and quite a few of the different snakes.
We enjoyed it.

Decided to stop in at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens on our way to Carlsbad caverns. It's a sweet little walk thru, self guided tour of the Living Desert. They had several rescued animals to see like Bald Eagle, Porcupine, Bobcats, Mountain Lion, Bison, Antelope and much more to see as well as the many plants. We had a blast with the Bobcats, they really put on a show for us. They had a bear but he was hiding, I guess.The scenery all around the facilty was super. Had a great time and stopped by gift shop for gifts on our way out. Definitely worth the visit.

A very nice outdoor display with paved trail through different eco-zones. Animals are all injured or captive raised. Very cool gypsum wall. The bobcats and mountain lions were very active that day! Nice bi-lingual interpretive panels, abundant plantings. Strollers and wheelchairs available to borrow.

incredible plants and animals with lots of information about them. I really enjoyed the reptile exhibit with the many species of rattlesnakes. I wish I could give them 6 stars it was AWESOME!

This was an ok visit to a zoo and gardens. Actually the gardens were much more interesting than the zoo. Lots of good info on the local plant life.
The zoo convinced me that I will no longer visit zoos that have any type of enclosures (cages) for the animals, To see wonderful animals of he wild confined to a 20x20 cage or pen is heartbreaking for me. There was nothing sadder than seeing a bald eagle (our national bird) confined to a small cage.
It you like zoos than this is an ok visit if not then forget it.

BObK

It was okay, but when you know the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, it was only mediocre. The whole place should be better maintained. But they have a few interesting pets which was nice.

We spent about 2 hours here. It was free for us since our membership with our home zoo allowed us free admission to this zoo. We were so glad that we visited here prior to our hike in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park the next day. At the zoo, we learned so much about the plants, shrubs and trees that we would then see on our hike. Of course, the plant displays are a bit drab at this time of year. I can only imagine how beautiful all the blooming plants must be during the spring and summer. We especially enjoyed watching the mountain lions, bobcats, and prairie dogs. On the entrance road to the zoo, we saw a roadrunner, on our way in and on our way out!

Very interesting site to learn about flora and fauna of the region. Easily walkable with beautiful views of the valley.

While in Carlsbad we were searching for something else to do after the cavern. We noticed a sign for the zoo and thought we would try it ...

We really enjoyed the zoo, the animals and the plant life. Loved how they identified the plant life, gave a little history and where you find the plants.

They had elk, bison, a bear, Mexican wolves, bald eagle ...

The only complaint is that the zoo closes at 5 and evidently the gift shop closes at 4 so no souvenirs.

I wouldn't call this a zoo they don't have enough animals you have to pay which I don't understand why there is nothing worth seeing here also a long walk for a lot of nothing

Had not expected such an extensive zoo and exhibits. It was set on top of the mountain with amazing views. Mice walking paths and good explanations of the desert plans and life. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit

Family outing the day after Christmas 2017. It was an amazing experience for all of the family. We were able to go at our own pace, see a variety of animals up close & personal. It was very clean, the animals appeared healthy & no smell that is commonly found in such places. The staff was friendly & knowledgeable. Definitely a place to return to. Reasonably priced. Great for family adventures.

Bigger than it looks. It will take you an hour to two hours to walk through. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. 5.00 per person and worth it has a cute little gift shop as well.

The zoo and park were great for a 3-4 hour diversion. Laid out well but a little confusing at the cat bear split. A map there would help. As inmost zoos the animals sometimes hide but most were visible. The black bear even came out for us and gave us a little show. The mountain lions were out also.
Tip. Its mostly outside so summer heat could be a real problem.
We enjoyed it for minimal cost.

We visited one afternoon but got caught in a thunderstorm - we had to shelter near an animal enclosure for over an hour and did not get back to the main office until 4.30 and the staff were getting ready to leave - we wonder what might have happened had we returned later!!!! We were given a free pass for the following day which we used - BUT, the overall experience was very disappointing because many animals were not on display and the area was not well presented nor maintained.

The zoo gives a good sampling of the animal and plant life of the desert. This was especially helpful to our grandson who had never been in that part of the world. Some of the exhibits were empty, but we saw enough to make it well worth our time and the entrance fee.

Went to see all the wild animals snakes, deer, cougar,bear.all kinds of plants and other animals too see its fun to hear the kids and all that they say.

We spent time in the museum which was well done and interesting. At $5 each, the price is very reasonable. We spent a good hour on the desert walkway outside. Desert plants alongside the pathway were well labelled and there were displays of birds and animals as well. It was very enjoyable, but make sure you take water - it was HOT.

A visit to this zoo and gardens was pleasant! Upon entering and paying a small fee, you’re given a brochure, which explains each stop as you walk around the area. The Zoo/Gardens is a great introduction to the variety of habitats found in the Chihuahuan Desert. Being from Ohio, this gave us a great introduction to the Carlsbad region. We spent a couple of hours roaming outside, then came inside to the very informative museum displays.

was nice to see all the plants but only saw one animal....where they were I have no idea but that was disappointing.

The park is very informative and beautiful. It has a nice layout so you're not in the sun all the time and it doesn't take all day. We enjoyed learning about the desert and seeing the cactus in bloom. The zoo was small, but impressive.

A very nice nature center. They have an excellent zoological gardens, including a walk through aviary and a great collection of raptors, including a couple of nice owls. Their botanical gardens are wonderful. A very comprehensive and well curated display of the local sub climates. The big cats are also great to just sit quietly and watch. While we didn't have an opportunity to participate in any youth education programs, the center is nice, bright, with lots of educational displays.

The animals were all pretty active. The mule deer buck was very curious and followed the kids down the fence. The facility was very
well-kept and the staff was very friendly.

We go into Carlsbad a bit early to check in so we decided to make a quick stop at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. It was such a nice facility that we spent almost three hours walking the grounds (which are actually wheel chair accessible) and enjoying the blooming cacti and the southwestern animals. The Black Bear and the Bob Cat were the most active when we were visiting. The garden has areas that represent all the biomes in the desert. We would have liked to purchase some cacti or succulents at the plant sale, but we couldn't take them home with us sadly. The rock and mineral collection and the interactive exhibits in the visitor center were a really nice addition to the park and helped me understand the history of the area and the people too. On your way to visit Carlsbad Caverns, be sure to stop and walk the gardens and enjoy the views.

Inside exhibits are free and there is a $5 fee per person for the outdoors zoo exhibits. There are often special events. Would certainly take children but we adults liked it just fine, too.
The one criticism is that I felt not all animals had enough space.

I am a museum fanatic. This was an amazing experience. Go early in the day, the animals will be more active. Excellent volunteer staff, Joyce at the main desk is eighty eight years young.

Was very interesting the kids loved seeing all the different animals and garden life. Should of brought own water because by the time we finished the kids were spent.

We enjoyed this little trip to the gardens and mini zoo. It is a walking tour . The staff is very nice and the place is clean. There is a beautiful view from the top. Nice.

This is a park that features the animal and plant life of New Mexico. It is high on a hill overlooking Carlsbad and the valley...very scenic. The walk through the park is long - about 1.5 miles, I think. It is hilly, but paved . While it is scenic, there are really not very many animals to see for the effort you put in to walk the path. But our grandchildren still had fun. There is a succulent house with some amazing specimens, and a visitors center that is very kid friendly.

We live here in New Mexico, only 70 miles away from Carlsbad. The Living Desert Zoo is nice because I can take the kids and let them explore and see what the desert looks like without being in the wilderness and then running off. The animals are nice too but if it's too hot, they hide away to keep cool so keep that in mind. Also, though there are water fountains along the way, it does get extremely hot and it's wise to take your own bottle of water. This is nice for a quick trip. It took us about an hour to walk through and see everything. It's 1.25 miles. This place is very educational and a must see at least once.

While not all of the cactus were blooming when I was there, some were and they are gorgeous! I was surprised that there were really animals there, it is a real live zoo. We had a good time. The indoor area often has special events, there was a rock and mineral show there when we were there. Very nice!

Lovely visitors center with wonderful displays inside and out. A good addition to our Carlsbad Caverns trip about 30 miles north.

Very nice little museum/zoo. Well worth the small fee. There's a reptile house and a pond and the view from up there is great.

I enjoyed my visit,it is small but full of information and lots of cool desert plants and animals to see.

Barely a 3- -all three of the hoofed animals dead not replaced- the snakes were tiny—saw two animals- the rest asleep somewhere in their habitats- a waste of time- not worth it at all -we were in and out in an hour without rushing.

The enclosures for the animals are appallingly small, and a number of herd animals are all alone. The birds of prey can barely stretch their wings. There is too little shade for the hot New Mexico sun. This institution should be closed, and the animals should be released to the wild, especially the birds of prey. Absolutely horrifying.

Very hot. We had wide brimmed hats and water bottles. Had to ask about the state insect we saw on the tree. I had been here as a child when they were first starting out. Glad I came back.

Very well put together, well maintained state park. Well worth the visit. We ended up spending 3 hours. Our 7 YO granddaughter loved it. Loved using her new camera with all the plants and animals.

What an unexpected gem. Part of the NM State Park System, this zoo is well organized and sits on the highest point of Carlsbad NM. It's strength was in its presentation of local flora. Wish I had visited it before the 2 area National Parks (Guadeloupe Mountain NP and Carlsbad Cavern NP) as I would have had more knowledge when hiking. The staff and volunteer docents are knowledgeable and friendly.

This is a nice little zoo. Good way to familiarize yourself to the plants & animals of the area. Go when it opens, when it is cooler, otherwise the animals are all hiding out in the shade.

Was looking forward to desert zoo as I loved the concept. Very disappointed. Plants were overrun with weeds. If you want a person to see and appreciate something, it has to be visible. Natural is great but you are also hoping that people can view a plant as opposed to trying to pick out from the overgrown area.
Animals did not appear healthy and thriving.

Very nice park. It's a great way to learn more about the local plants and animals. The staff is friendly and helpful, and walking the park is very relaxing. Younger children can enjoy some hands-on activities. Well worth a visit

Nice little excursion while in the area. Very reasonable prices, $5 adults, $3 children over 6. Nice displays of animals and plants. Fun gift shop with quirky southwest items. Our young children enjoyed it and learned a lot.

This was a great stop after the Carlsbad Caverns on our way out of town. A little warm at 3:30 pm but lots of animals were out and the desert plants were very cool. My husband enjoyed the snakes! I like the Eagles, Hawks and other birds. Nice place to visit!

We had a great day exploring the little zoo all the animals were out and it wasn't to chilly. Some of the water was still frozen in places and the animals were feeling frisky. The layout is really neat and a bit of a walk. I had a boot on my foot and they recommend a wheelchair because of the hills. That is all the had was a wheelchair. It was a lot of work to get up the hills and a few corners were tight. We overall had a great time and would visit again. Gift shop and inside stations were fun too. Could not imagine this place in the heat! Plan to go early and bring umbrella, sunscreen, and handicap beware of tuff terrain.

HOTHOT HOT! lighting was terrible couldn’t see into the container tanks for the bugs. Hummingbirds far and few, wasn’t impressed . Place needs so TLC and not all the animals were visible. Staff was nice but I felt that the animals needed some better attention. Some looked stressed - heat related, maybe? Borrowing Owls should be in a cage, not there nature home and the Eagle didn’t look healthy.

They have different animals native to Texas and new Mexico definitely a little gem to visit, my kids enjoyed the animals and scenic walk

We arrived just after the 8.00 opening to beat the heat. We spent an interesting two hours following the guide to the trail and reading the various plant labels and exhibit explanations. The lady in the aviary was very helpful explaining the various birds and the stories how they arrived at the center. Well worth the $5 admission plus they have a nice gift store with interesting items.

We had been to the Guadaloupe Mtns. in the morning and had some open time in the afternoon, so we chose to visit this state park. For a fee of $5/ each, we spent 90 minutes walking through the grounds and enjoying all the animal life. A truly enjoyable experience!

When we think of Carlsbad, NM the first thing that normally comes to mind is Carlsbad Caverns National Park but Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park is an economical addition to your visit to Carlsbad. Adults are $5 and kids less. It's a terrific place for families, but my wife and I two 70+ seniors really enjoyed it and we didn't even have the grand kids with us. An important tip if you visit in the warm months, say from April through October consider arriving early, the park opens at 9:00 AM. You are going to be outside probably 2 hours or more and the 90 degree plus heat can really take the stuffing out of you. However there are plenty of spots where you can out of the heat and under the shade and there is usually a breeze.

Wide range of animals, much more than expected. Appreciated their layout of the zoo with the path leading you around. Some of the large birds seemed to be rather cramped in their cage. Struggling to keep the all the plants alive it looked like. I consider it worth the visit. My grandkids liked it.

Nice 1+ mile trail. It wasn't brutally hot when we were there, so it was enjoyable. Very informative exhibits inside and outside, especially for people without the knowledge of the regional desert. Lots of exotic animals and birds, most probably previously injured, that have a decent place to live. we thoroughly enjoyed our visit here and spent 2 to 3 hours visiting.

I was in Carlsbad NM and saw the sign for Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. Easy accessibility right off the highway. Entry cost was $5. The park has a 1.3 mile self guided walkway which took me about 1 1/2 hours to complete (taking time to read the signs and view the animals). The park has exhibits consisting of indigenous plants and animals found in the Chihuahuan Desert. There's also an indoor exhibit/museum inside the main building. Onsite gift shop. I was able to purchase bottle water at $0.50 each to carry with me in the park. Camelbaks are also allowed. Some of the live animals within the enclosures included a black bear, mountain lions, bob cats, bison, elk, mule deer, fox, and a prairie dog colony to name a few. There's also a nocturnal animal exhibit and a reptile house located in separate buildings. Restrooms in addition to places to rest are provided throughout the park area. The park was well maintained. The staff were very friendly. If you're in Carlsbad to visit the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, reserve a couple of hours to check out this state park during your stay.

I understand that this is a small zoo, but it needs A LOT of work. Before we even walked in we noticed how badly the grass needed to be cut. Sadly it wasn’t just outside of the zoo it was also in every single exhibit. I don’t know who they have working for them as far as maintaining and keeping it looking nice, but they aren’t doing there job. We saw very few animals during our visit. It wasn’t worth the time but it was also heartbreaking to see the exhibits aren’t being cared for. It doesn’t take a lot of work to cut the grass and weed-eat. If they want people to come to there zoo they definitely need help at keeping it maintained.

If you have the time, you should go. But probably should go as soon as it opens to see the animals. I'm guessing that the hotter it gets, the less active they are. We enjoyed our walk through the zoo and gardens. It was a beautiful walk and we did see some of the animals. There is also a nice visitors center with hands on activities for the kids.

Might be due to the time of year and severe drought conditions, but, the place needs a lot of sprucing up and more birds and animals. Quite a few exhibits were either empty or had old “under rehab” signs posted. Plant exhibits with labels were fairly informative, but some were labeling plants that had apparently died and not replace, like the century plant.
Good learning area for school kids inside the welcome center. No hoofed animals on display and only one or two birds in the aviary. Best parts for us were the prairie dogs, the eagles, the snakes, and the walk thru native plants. Inexpensive, but maybe they should charge more to build it up again.

I have been in caves before, so while visiting Carlsbad on a business trip I had a couple of hours to kill and decided to visit Living Desert. It was a real treat!

The staff and volunteers are very pleasant and helpful. There are desert flora (cacti, yucca, etc.) and regional fauna (bison, prairie dogs, etc.) to see here. It really is an inexpensive way to get some exercise and see some of the beauty of the New Mexico desert.

Be prepared to walk, wear sunscreen and visit early in the day.

Wife and I found this attraction only after we stopped for overnight in the area. We really enjoyed our visit, even though it was winter time and was cold and certainly off season. Well worth the time to see.

Let's face it: there isn't much to do in Carlsbad after the caverns. If you're stuck there for a half day or more and need to kill some time, give this zoo a try. It will take about an hour to see it, perhaps a bit more. There are some large animals, such as elk, bison, and mountain lion, as well as a small reptile exhibit and several birds. It would be a good outing for a child or for folks unfamiliar with the animals of the west and southwest.

Good way to kill a,couple of hours. Staff is very kind and helpful. Really pretty views.
Saw a lot of the animals but not all were out, probably due to the heat.

As first time visitors to the southwest US, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the visit to the state park. It provides an excellent intro to the plants and animals of the region. The walk is not strenuous at all through the gardens and the animal areas. The visitors center is well designed for adults and children.

December 28th not the best day to see the Zoo at its best, but a good botanical garden/zoo. Some of the animals will make you sad, but most are there because they were maimed in the wild. A nice 1-hour outing, good for kids

This is a nice little “zoo/garden.” Most of the animals have roomy habitats. I was glad to hear that some were there because of injury, born in other zoos, or too use to people. The garden is a little weedy, but I guess they are going for the natural look. Cost is $5, Park Pass does not apply. Some exhibits were empty.

Nice size well run zoo. Would recommend highly. Staff very friendly and helpful. It was a great example of fauna and wild life you would find in a desert environment . I really enjoyed the experience!!

We had time to kill on an afternoon after spending time at the Carlsbad caverns. We ended up spending 2.5 hours here. In march a lot of things are still not leafed out but it was still possible to see evergreen and cacti. The brief write ups were informative. There were not a lot of birds or animals to see. However we did see a javelina which I had never seen, a Bolson tortoise, several snakes and a Gila monster. The nocturnal building doesn't have any "critters" but it has some very informative write-ups about adaptations to low light. Probably what made this especially enjoyable was the lack of crowds.

We loved it. Definitely would recommend this to anyone thinking of visiting. Nice little walk and not expensive to visit. Great place for grown up and kids.

Nice day looking at desert plants and fauna. Recued animals abound throughout the beautiful state park. Would be great for a children’s field trip. We as adults loved it too.

Dis this tour leaving Carlsbad Caverns. Nice walk about 1 mile loop. Nice mixture of animals and plants. Dis it early in the morning which was ideal because it would be hod in the late day sun.

Go early in the summer! Not sure if many of the plants are dead or just struggling with the summer heat. Nice selection of local animals and reptiles. Good for younger children.

This is a very good stop if your traveling through the Carlsbad area. The park has wonderful interpretation exhibits inside the visitors center that provide a lot of information about the flora and fauna of the region and how it's evolved over the years. Outside you can see all of the native plants and learn more about them. You'll also get to see a lot of native animals, living their native environment, and learn a lot about them too. It will give you a new appreciation for the desert in this part of New Mexico, Texas and Chihuahua.

My husband and I went to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park on a Friday morning. It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to tour the zoo. We loved to see the animals in their natural habitat. There were bear, wolves, reptile exhibit, bat exhibit, prairie dog town, large and small water pond, elk, pronghorn, bison, mule deer, a mountain lion, bobcat, javelina, eagles, indoor cactus garden and more. There was more shaded areas than I expected (nice) but I suggest a hat and sunscreen especially in the afternoon. It was well over 100 degrees in the afternoon (June) so we went to the zoo in the morning then Carlsbad Caverns in the afternoon. The zoo is open 9 am – 4 pm. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids 7-12 of age. There were no senior discounts. The staff was friendly and there were nice restrooms. I highly recommend a visit to the zoo.

I went to the Living Desert State Park thinking that it would be a boring, local zoo with about forty different animals to watch. I also anticipated a few botanical exhibits, but knew that the early season made seeing many blooms impossible. The staff at the entry desk were helpful. I was able to view a few desert quail close-up in the open aviary: one wildlife photograph accomplished. The road runners should be in a similar open enclosure with a visitor walk-through, but were hidden behind wires, as were most of the other animals. Most animals were not visible in the areas provided. Two mountain lions were active, but no viewing platform exists to photograph them. Therefore, the entire trip was made for one wildlife photograph with a couple of close-ups of barrel cacti and yucca. I had hoped to have enough wildlife photographs to show my grand-nieces, who tour the Burnsville Minnesota Zoo of North American animals almost weekly, a sampling of Southwest desert animals. The hour was a waste of time that I should have allocated to my drive west to Alamogordo.

Spent a wonderful afternoon learning about desert plants and the animals that live there. Staff very friendly and informative. Gift shop staff helpful and it tries to only sell items locally made.

We took three little ones to this zoo. Spent some time inside the building as they have a table of things displayed. The table says "please touch". It was a cooler, overcast day so walking around outside to view the animals was great. They had a reptile exhibit in another building the kids really liked. The porcupine and the bobcats gave us quite a show! We will definately take them back for another visit.

Visited the living desert numerous times while living in Carlsbad and always visited whenever out of state visitors came to town. Being from the east coast, the plants and animals are in natural settings and helped familiarize us with the "critters". And the gift shop is a great place to shop for unique gifts for friends and family. And a great place to take the kids!!

Great spot but not happy about caged animals including bears, dear, birds, etc. Many dont have any other friends in the cage. I commented and staff claimed they were injured etc and "would be killed if set free." Not sure if I buy this. This is what Sea World claims. Some of the animals look super sad and lonely. The entire compound is nice and well done but these animals should not be caged, many in small cages. Made me feel sad. I hate zoos

We loved seeing all the animals! We only saw a handful of empty cages/hiding animals in the 30+ exhibits! Even though Old Grumpy the rattlesnake didn’t shake for us, we cherished the air conditioned nocturnal and reptilian exhibits. I spent 3 minutes in the greenhouse before I had to step out, but at least the visitor center has cheap snacks and great AC.

Cheap and fun for an afternoon activity. Some cool plants and animals but lacking money to make necessary improvements and updates to the place.

This was GREAT place to visit. It was so inexpensive we figured we could be out of there in an hour so we arrived a bit later in the day but we wished we had allotted a ton more time. It has a nice walking path with beautiful desert plants. Tons of animals right up close for you to see. Nice enclosures and spaces for them to play. Really really enjoyed this stop! One of the favorites from our New Mexico trip

This facility is a must see before hiking in the area. Many of the common local plants are on display and helps to familiarize the traveler with the desert environment.

If you're looking for something to do while in Carlsbad and you've already been to the caverns then this is definitely the place to go. This isn't a normal zoo. This is a living desert with plants and animals native to the local desert area. It was really interesting walking along the path and reading about all the different plants that live in the desert. I knew of cactus but there are so many more.

There are some animals but not a whole lot. The ones they do have look happy and healthy and were even somewhat active the day I came. The huge black bear was hiding but she did stick her head out and look at me when I called her.

The path though the zoo is pretty level and paved so its wheelchair accessible. They even have little motorized chairs for people who can't make the walk available for rent. Don't forget to stop at the gift shop before leaving. There are lots of unique souvenirs to choose from and the staff is super friendly. I would definitely recommend this to anyone traveling to Carlsbad!

A good introduction to the wildlife and landscape of southern New Mexico. It would be a great stop for children, and even as adults we found it quite entertaining and educational.

It wasn't busy on a weekday afternoon. $5.00 for adult entrance. It's a nice place to spend a couple hours. The views are good.

This offers a 1.3 mile trail through various habitats. Even though we arrived early, it was already hot -- hats and water bottles are essential (I even used an umbrella for portable shade). The highlights for me were: the desert willows (which produced wonderful purple, orchid-like flowers), roadrunner tracks in the sand (identifiable based on a nearby sign), and a rescue roadrunner, bobcat and golden eagle. In the small museum, I hefted a surprisingly weighty, shed elk horn. The gift shop, which directly supports the facility, had beautiful rocks and other items for sale. Great stop -- a hidden gem.

This zoo and park were close to our hotel and thought we would give it a look and it turned out to be a very wise investment of our time. We went mid-morning after a rain shower and most of the animals were out and very few people were there. The admission cost is very minimal.

We went here a bit reluctantly, mostly because the nearby national parks were closed due to the Federal government shutdown, and it was a cold day, so we didn't want to spend too much time outside hiking. It was a great choice--we loved the exhibits (though worried that the raven was in an awfully small enclosure for such a big bird?), and spent almost three hours there. For $5 per person admission, this is a terrific deal!

Very affordable attraction but we visited in August so it was a HOT walk through the exhibits. I think that many animals were not visible just to keep cool, but we did see some and it would have been a very nice walk had it been about 30 degrees cooler.

That being said, they allowed us to bring our own water bottles from our car (water is also available for a nominal purchase if you did not have a cooler in the car) and the gift shop was nice. The desert plants were very interesting to the adults in our party as we had never been to NM before, but the kids were a bit disappointed that the animals were not more active.
I did get some wonderful pictures with the beautiful landscape so well worth it; some of my photos of the plants are postcard worthy as well, so if you enjoy botanical photos, this is definitely a good place to go.

Had a couple of hours to kill so we stopped in for a visit. For $10 bucks it’s a nice zoo but don’t expect it be anything more than a State run desert park. The Bald Eagle was cool to see up close and the mule deer. Park was a little bit in hibernation due to it being winter. But still worth the $10 entrance fee. The team members were friendly.

I love visiting the park. There is a lot of people there that are very knowledgable and very helpful. If you have a question they have an answer, and a thorough one at that. They definitely love their careers.

The only downside is I wheelchair bound which makes navigating the steep inclines difficult in my manual wheelchair so I don't go out as often. At this time of year it is just too hot and dangerous to push myself around.

A good piece of advise is go later in the evening when it is cooler and you will see a lot more animals and truly enjoy the park more. Take your kids it is very educational.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Carlsbad, Newport Mexico offers a nice stroll through a variety of desert types and offers a chance to see a number of animals from birds and reptiles to wolves, porcupines, and bear.
Good for all ages.

We went here on a recommendation of good things to do other than the caverns and found it worth the short drive and reasonable admission.

The exhibits were well labeled and the animal habitats seemed decent, unlike the prison accommodations sometimes seen in zoos.

Not a "must see," but worth some time.

Small, well kept zoo with scenic mountain view overlooking Carlsbad. Trails plentiful with desert vegetation. Animals were for the most part visible, though some cages were empty and undergoing renovation. Prairie dogs were particularly active and pleasant to watch. We also enjoyed seeing the black bear and mountain lion. Staff very friendly as well. Worth visiting if you have some extra time in Carlsbad.

What a great place and the staff person was super friendly and super informative. We wished we had more time to spend. The main building is full of interesting displays, without even getting to the remainder of the Park. Don't miss this!!

We looked forward to visiting this park. It is a self guided tour to show case the plants and animals of the of the Northern Chihuahua Desert. As we walked thru we discovered that some of the exhibits no longer had animals. Also, some of the animals had been moved to different exhibits on site due to aggressive behavior between animals. It appears that this zoo is suffering from state of new mexico funding short falls. You can tell that this was once a thriving location but it is not being maintained like it was before. The staff members we encountered were all very helpful and friendly. New Mexico, fix it.

Arrived on a Monday and it was not very crowded. Well laid out gardens and zoo area. It was August so not many desert flowers in bloom but still very interesting. The zoo animals appeared to have room to roam and the map was great in explaining where they were all located.

Stumbled across this gem while visiting Carlsbad. It was small but really nice. The big cats were difintely my favorite exhibit.

Since the temperatures were to be near 100 degrees... we got to the Living Desert Zoo when they opened at 9am ! Good timing, the walking paths and exhibits take you about 1.5 hours, as you are taking your time, taking photos and enjoying the variety of exhibits that are offered. A great showing of what the "desert" is all about. Flowers and trees were blooming and it was very nice to experience the "spring" in the desert!!

This is a great and reasonably priced park to visit. Adult admission was $5. There are a few exhibits inside the main building before you begin your 1.2 mile walk through the gardens. There you’ll see an aviary, Eagles, roadrunners, pumas, a reptile exhibit, turtles, wolves, javelina and a collection of big animals including, bison, elk, deer, pronghorn antelope and elk.

My wife and I visited the Living Desert 20 years ago, and recently came back with our kids. If you are interested in the plants and animals found in the Chihuahuan Desert, this is the place for you. The exhibits are well done, and the kids loved seeing all the animals. Make sure to drink plenty of water if you are here in summer.

The only staff member I talked with was helpful for my first visit there. More plants than animals. The weather was getting warm and several animals were not visible or were hiding in the shade. Despite the warm temperatures I decided to go through it anyway. The views were excellent and still seen some animals. This is a small zoo and was more about plants than the animals, yet it was the animals I went to see.

This facility is impressive-- my son enjoyed the hands-on activities and everyone was very kind and helpful. It was super hot, but the trail was beautiful, all of the plants and animals are clearly labeled, and the walking trail is very scenic. Be prepared for the heat and bring water and hats.

This was a really nice zoo. Easy walking and nice exhibits. Allow 2-3 hours and you can see pretty much everything. At $16 for our family of four, it was a good value.

Took a leisurely walk through the gardens and zoo. Since it was January the gardens didn't have anything in bloom but it was a nice setting. Got to see the prairie dogs have their lunch. Cute!!

As part of our stay in Carlsbad, we decided to visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. It's been around since the early 1970s. Sitting high on a hill overlooking Carlsbad, the place has a lot to offer. There's a trail winding through it with descriptive displays about the animals and plants of the high desert. There's even an aviary where you can walk among the birds. Unfortunately, the animal displays are a bit 'old world in that they are small and rather uninteresting for the animals inside. But, the place is small (and I'm sure underfunded). There's a Visitor Center with a few displays and a nice little gift shop.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. And at $5/person, it's a real deal!

Warm that day and pathways were extensive. Benches were placed along walkways though
I am older and walk did not include any steps
Animals were interesting especially the road runner and the Mexican wolf

Plants were marked but variety limited
Looked to be naturally placed

Go early in the a.m, have water and bring sunscreen. This is a paved path hike, that is over a mile to look at different vegetation and animals that live in the desert. What I really like is that the majority of the animals in the zoo, were either saved and are being rehabilitative to heal and release.

It was burning hot the afternoon we went but I was very surprised by a hidden gem like this in Carlsbad. There is a little learning center and gift shop. The animal exhibits are nothing out of this world but show off tru New Mexican wildlife and plants. Would recommend this for an hour or so if you need a break from the caverns

We truly enjoyed discovering the flora and fauna of the desert. It was a fairly long walk (with a few small inclines and not a lot of shade) for a couple of seniors on a 95-degree day, but we agreed that it was a great place to visit..

This is not your normal every day zoo! All animals are there because they cannot live in the wild because of injury, or human attachment. The exhibit areas are exactly like the areas the animals would live in in the wild. All animals are from the Chihuahuan Desert. Beautiful plants and scenery. There's an excellent Gift Shop, Reptile House, and the staff is always happy to help and answer your questions. Go early AM, as the weather can get very hot and miserable in the summer. Also the animals tend to be out and about in the cool early mornings. Dogs are not allowed, and you don't want to leave them in the car in the heat. It is 1 and a half mile walk with some sloping, but the trails are well maintained.

This is a smaller zoo and we enjoyed our visit despite a few of the exhibits being closed for upgrades. I would almost consider this to be a bit more of a botanical gardens with a small zoo attached. We enjoyed seeing the many varieties of desert plants we don't get to see in our area. The animals we did see seemed well maintained and my youngest son definitely had a thrill from the lizard skirting along the path near us. We all enjoyed the snake exhibit as well, that's the only way I think I'd want to see a rattlesnake! I thought it was a bit hot the day we went, 109, although I was told it was during a cool spell. Definitely, put this on your agenda for the morning when it's a bit cooler and be sure to take a bottle of water with you. While there's plenty of shade, the main building at the entrance/exit contains the gift shop and a/c. There are only one other set of bathrooms (which i don't recall seeing) in the park besides those so something to keep in mind if you have smaller children. Do make time in your agenda to visit but don't plan to spend more than 2 hours here. I'd love to visit again after their renovations are complete and perhaps on a cooler day.

The Living Desert is a must-see zoo in the Chihuahuan Desert. It is just minutes from Carlsbad, NM, and offers an amazing array of animals and plants to see!

Spent the afternoon here and had a nice time. The information center is beautiful and full of information. It has a gift shop and a small vending area. Take water when you get ready to walk thru the exhibits. It is a beautiful walk through desert plants of all kinds. Most are labeled. They have a few animals that have been rescued that are for you to view. From birds, buffalo, to bobcats. Very nice park and a great way to spend the day.

Even though they had some exhibits closed for renovations or repairs, the experience was well worth the low admission price. The array of plants gave us a great idea of what was part of the native flora. We got to see many insects and lizards enjoying the vegetation. I believe in supporting places that are trying to highlight the beauty and value of their native habitats. I would suggest for them to explain better to visitors why something is closed or why an animal is not on exhibit.

We arrived at Friends of the Living Desert around noon. The temperature was 95-100, so we had sunscreen and water. We wore short sleeves, shorts/capris, hats, and hiking boots/shoes. There are paved roads, so as long as you're comfortable, you should be okay. Once inside, we were greeted and paid $10 for an adult and $5 for a child. The gentleman was polite and extremely helpful. He gave us a map, explained the trail, and a shortcut in case the heat became unbearable. We took our time and enjoyed every bit of it. The main building has restrooms, a touch table for the kids to explore, and other educational exhibits. Outside are some restrooms. We used the highly recommended ones next to the reptile exhibits. The women’s facility was easily accessible and clean. There's a picnic area, so once we were done, we retrieved our food from the car and enjoyed a relaxing outdoor picnic. Before leaving, we got a few things from the gift store. If you're an active duty service member or a retiree, you can receive a veteran 10% discount. Overall, this is a nice place to enjoy nature and the animals of the desert. It was not crowded and a great break away from busy attractions. We spent about three hours there since we were not in a rush. We loved it and were happy we got in the car before a thunderstorm hit.

Nice walk through the desert! All animals are rescued from what I understand! They do a moonlit walk also, which is really cool!! So many stars!! Great way to get out of the hustle and bustle! If passing through Carlsbad get out and stretch your legs!! If you're a local get out and enjoy the nature!

It was a little warm but heck....its New Mexico!! The family enjoyed the exhibits very much. It is small but worth the visit!

Beautiful. Very inexpensive and so much fun. Amazing plants and walking path. The animals were a huge hit. The staff was nice and super helpful. The views are incredible. Definitely visit this little zoo!

Some of the zoo was closed due to Covid and recent weather, but we still had fun. Gor a small zoo it was good. Are there better ones? Sure. But in Carlsbad, NM and with limited species, it was worth the trip and price. We have 15 and 12 yo boys and it kept them entertained for a couple hours.

Went to this musuem while visiting carlsbad cavens. It was a great deal for adults ($5 fee), lots of excellent exhibits of the animals and plants in this regioanl desert. The reptile exhibit was closed due to a transformer issue. Beautiful grounds, freindly staff (except for 1 person). Worth a trip.

I went with my husband and 12 year old son. The zoo is close and easy to find. It has wonderful animal exhibits and information about desert flora and fauna. We saw the bear and wolves as well as the mountain lions. It was a beautiful walk - be sure to see the cactus greenhouse if you can stand the heat!

More than half of the displays were closed, which was explained to us prior to starting our walk. The ones that were open were good, especially the javelinas, wolf and the cats. However, it was a nice walk with all of the plants and plenty of benches for resting. Entry fee is $5.00 per adult so you can't expect as much as a larger zoo that charges $20 per person or more. I felt we got our moneys worth.

We arrived early to avoid the heat of the day and to catch the animals before they hid from the heat too. Beautiful entrance and welcome center. Very friendly staff and volunteers. Some of the animal exhibits were closed, but we did get to see a family of bobcats playing. The cactus house was incredible! But go early to avoid the heat!

Me and 3 friends decided to check this out as we had heard it was nature oriented. The indoor area was great. They had a large gem and rock collection and lots of literature and exhibits. The restrooms were really nice and they had vending machines and even a variety of ice cream bars in the gift shops. This is important after the 1.3 miles in the desert in 102 degrees. When you first start the walk there is a greenhouse you can explore. It had so many beautiful succulents in there but the temp was about 120 degrees so you really couldn't linger too long
Once we started our walk we were really looking forward to it and the first 3/4 of the way we enjoying all the cactus and rocks. There were all sorts of animals but it was just too hot for the animals to be out but the ground hogs were so cute. We also saw bison and elk but we didn't go in the reptile house. I wish we had've cause I think there was a restroom in there. There is a restroom past the big cat habitat if that helps anyone.

I would love to do this walk again in cooler weather because it is definitely a great adventure but as it was, I was completely wet by the time we got back to exhibit building.

Obviously when the park was built a lot of thought, time and money went into creating it. Although it is worth a visit a very educational, it is sadly in need of upkeep and investment.

Perhaps we were there too early in the year, most animals hard to see if at all. The plants were not in bloom yet, some exhibits empty due to reconstruction. This place has potential, and if a little more money was invested, this could be a great 2 hr excursion. The lady in the gift shop was very friendly.

Not a zoo so much as a walking tour of the desert. Nicely done, though it's true that you'll want to visit when it's not too hot. When we were there, it was also quite windy, as it's on a bluff. Enjoyed the well-done exhibits and friendly staff.

I had read mixed reviews about this zoo, but we had some time in the afternoon and decided to check it out. I'm so glad we did! It sits atop a hill that overlooks all of Carlsbad. The park, zoo, and grounds are very well kept. We found the exhibits to be interesting and they really did an excellent job displaying the wildlife and plant life of this desert region. The property is actually quite large--about 1.5 miles to walk the entire thing. My dad uses a walker, but we were able to rent a wheelchair (free of charge) for him--it was perfect. You can also borrow a stroller or rent a motorized wheelchair ($5). Bathrooms were extremely clean. I'm so glad we didn't pass this place up!

This was a cool little place! It was very quiet when we went. We went all on our own and just walked the little path to all the different stops. It is set up GREAT. You can tell the animals are well taken care of. This was wonderful. Thank you guys for a great experience.

This is a nice place to spend a morning or afternoon if it isn't sweltering. It was in the 80's during our visit, so not too bad, but there is a lot of direct sun so just be aware. Eight year old DD was only interested in the animals, most of which we could see, but DH and I enjoyed the plants and general info about desert ecosystems. Would give it five stars if several of the displays hadn't been closed during our visit.

Really Nice Zoo with a wide variety of animals, plants and reptiles. Excellent design and walking route to the enclosures. We happened to show up on a free admission day which just topped off the experience. We experienced pleasant employees that seemed to appreciate all the visitors. Just a surprising treat for us. We anticipated going to the Caverns but were not expecting any other pleasant surprises like this.

Spent a 3 day weekend in Carlsbad in mid-June. A co-worker's wife raved about this place so decided to check it out. Arrived from ABQ at around 1pm and left around 2:30/2:45pm. Admission was $5, not bad. It was very hot which I expected. Bring water, hat, and sunglasses.

I was disappointed in the entire exhibit. Maybe I'm watching too many episodes of "The Zoo" on Animal Planet, but felt upset for the animals not having enough room to roam around. The birds barely had enough room to fly. 3 eagles/raptors and a turkey vulture shared a space too small to house all 4 of them. All the animal areas seemed too small to house them comfortably. Many animals were not out/visible. Some exhibits were closed due to renovation. Many of the plants were dead and haven't been replaced.

At least I know what a javelina and roadrunner truly looks like.....

A lot more to see here than we expected. Really enjoyed the Reptile building and all the outdoor exhibits, including the Javelina and Elk

Self guided mile long stroll on concrete sidewalk takes you through multiple desert environments separated by several animal enclosures. Demonstrates amazing plant diversity in such a harsh environment. Shaded areas strategically located along the way as is a restroom. Great way to spend couple of hours.

Very pleasantly surprised. Not alot of money, but worth every cent. Local animals and fauna. Also an exhibition on cacti around the world.

The gift shop is a must. Locally made native American jewelry, jams and household items. The owner buys locally made items which is refreshing as I did not spend my money on something made in China.

All times across the internet advertise that the zoo is open until 5, that is so misleading. Make sure you call ahead or don’t plan to go after 3:30pm. Nowhere on any site does it explain that the last entrance to the zoo is at 3:30pm. They will not let you in, even just to enjoy the place for the last half hour they are open, nope, you can not go in. Just a heads up. Do not pay attention to the 5pm closing time. Just to save yourself a trip. Also, most likely after 3:30 you won’t get an answer when you call to see if they are open either. Disappointing for my child. Very disappointed in this place. Would love to have gone but so misleading. I guess we will try again for another date.

It's a great state park, $5 to get in, plenty of parking in front of the entrance. Last entry is 3:30pm. You start from the visit center, walk the loop , end up with the visitor center.
We got there around 3pm in a sunny hot day in June, walked through the park, saw many plants and beautiful cactus flowers, some birds, prairie dogs, bobcats, mountain lions. It was cool.
After cooling down in the visitor center, we walked into the green house, and saw all those plants we saw in Tucson.
We still had some time, so we walked to the birds area again, we noticed the crow has one wing injured, so even it's hard for the bird to walk due to balance issue. This time we also saw the fox who we didn't see earlier, the fox has three legs.
When it's hot and sunny, animals are hiding from the strong sunlight, you probably won't see some of them. I recommend to come in early or late to increase your chance to see them. It is a great park , visit it and help supporting rescued animals when you are in the area and have time.

Nice place! All of the buildings are closed due to COVID, but a great walk through place. Also right now, they only allow NM residents in, as it is a state park the kids loved it!

Depressing zoo. 😕 Enclosures were small and seemed to lack any enrichment opportunities. Lots of closed exhibits. I did notice they were last accredited 5? years ago. I was disappointed.

Really loved the exhibits.Learned a lot about the area,s for fauna and flora. Enjoyed seeing the animals. However it was incredibly hot and I would recommend going when it was cooler.The temperatures were above 95.can't blame the animals for hiding.Many very interesting exhibits, for example there was a desert plant called Maridol they made rubber out of during WWII. For reptile lovers there are a lot of snakes and spiders.

Very nice place. I loved learning about all the plants in the desert. They also have animals there. We went on a Thursday afternoon. Very quite not really busy. nice little gift shop. Inexpensive place to get in a walk and some knowledge.

This is small, no doubt, but we went thinking, we are going to spend $5 for the entrance fee, and it was really a nice walk (about 1.3 miles I believe) , saw some animals and learned some stuff. What more do you want for $5. This is no San Diego zoo but they don’t try to be nor do they charge you the prices. Took us about 90 minutes to see, read and check out the gift shop which was perfect.

Great zoo with tremendous layout. I liked the setup where the walkways were eye-level with the foliage. It gave a unique perspective for our photographing. BUT, it was CRAZY HOT. Many of the mammals were laying still trying to stay cool. I felt sorry for the bears bison and elk. The prairie dogs were fun. Best to visit when it's much cooler. One suggesting is for those animals in cages, add areas to allow photographing with the netting.

State Park with a zoo. Has some interesting habitats for some of the animals. Lots of different cacti. Good signage and easy path to follow through the zoo. Cost was 5 dollars which was a good price. Good place to spend a few hours.

We went early one morning in June. It was hot so wear a hat and bring water with you. The plants are nicer to see in the spring and fall but we still had a good time. The new reptile house was nice. Hope the park can continue needed updates.

This was $5 per adult & I feel we got our moneys worth. A very nice museum inside. Very informative about native people & geology. Modern bathrooms. A gift shop.
The outside walk is 1.3 miles. The grounds look well cared for.
We decided to go here first & save Carlsbad Caverns for after lunch. I believe this was a good decision. The animals we saw were active. We didn't see the bear or bobcat, but most everything else that had an animal or bird. These are creatures that have been injured in the wild or too used to people & can't be rehabbed.
The animals look like they're being cared for. If zoos upset you though, I would say skip it.

This is a diamond in the rough. For a fie dollar donation you learn about the area, the desert, and life in the desert. A great relaxing day and would go back.

I loved the gardens and I am not really a fan of animal in cages but it appeared that the animals were well kept. The walk around the park was nice and the staff was friendly.

We enjoyed the zoo, train, and gardens. The aquarium was really small, so it was just something we did since we were there. The best deal is the combo ticket, and we were there all day between the 4 things.

A nice place to learn about the Chihuahua Desert, especially with kids. It focuses on the plants in the desert just as much as the animals, so you learn how the whole ecosystem functions. There were some empty exhibits, and not every exhibit was new and pristine, but it’s actually a state park, so it’s probably underfunded. Our favorite thing was sitting and watching the prairie dogs. They are hilarious and so cute! It was a nice way to spend a couple of hours and we would go again.

Enjoyed the visit. It was miserably hot outside, but the grounds were nice and there were occasional spots of shade. We enjoyed the exhibits and it was a nice way to spend the afternoon.

This zoo/gardens was so much fun to visit on our honeymoon, My wife and I love succulents and cacti and they have so many varieties here that we had a blast learning about all of them! They even had a plant sale going on when we visited so we were able to leave with some fun Agave and Cacti to take back home. The staff was very friendly and the grounds well maintained. We highly recommend visiting if you get a chance! It is primarily outdoors so bring water, sunscreen and maybe an umbrella to help stay cool on your visit in the summer months.

We enjoyed seeing all the cacti in bloom as well as other local plants and learning the names of them. We went early but it was very hot by the time we finished and the animals were not very active and some were not visible but the kids enjoyed seeing them.

This zoo is perfect for a 1-2 hours tour if you are in Carlsbad. You will see some key desert animals that you won't see in some big city zoo.

U can see a lot in the visitor center for free. U can also see the same stuff driving to sitting bull falls.

I very much liked this zoo because of its location in a high altitude, off the main road. You feel more solitude with the animals. No one is there to bother you, and you can enjoy the animals early in the cool morning when they are out.

I don't like zoos in general because of I don't like to see caged animals, but I guess this helps some of the less-fortunate ones. Don't know for sure about that.

Nevertheless, the zoo has a nice walk-way through the desert plants as you move from animal to animal.

The down side is that for so much surrounding land, it would be nice if the animal enclosures were much larger for each animal.

Love that your out with nature. Make sure you have tennis on and water. Restrooms are very clean. Overall very nice.

Took grandson and he had a great time seeing the animals and watching the fish get fed. Allows visitors to enjoy SE new Mexico weather while seeing plants and trees that are native to the area along with the animals that are all rescued animals.

The different regions of NM are represented by the plants in each region, with interpretive panes explaining what we were seeing. The zoo was imaginatively designed and we saw animal of the region, including birds like roadrunners, a reptile house, and mammals like bears and bobcats. We bought paintings by Molly the bear and a little succulent plant.

We visited on a very windy day. There is an indoor space that describes the area, history, nature. Outside there is a small zoo of local animals, also a greenhouse of succulent plants.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens isn't a regular zoo with lots of animals but they have lots of plants. There are animals which can't live in the wild anymore (for one reason or another) that are mostly native to the area. It was very interesting and well worth the cost.

A wonderful museum, zoo and gardens focusing on the local environment. If you want to learn about the desert surrounding the Guadalupe Mountains this is the place. You will learn about different animals, cati and birds. Only $5 a person.

Had little expectations for this little gem prior to arriving, but we had the best time! We were enjoying it so much, lost track of time and had to run to get back at closing time! In addition to birds, the avairy had recovering animals, we especially enjoyed Lena, the javalina, the bald eagle, bobcat and mountain lions. The roadrunners were very entertaining! Very comprehensive plant species identification. Go visit it, you’ll be glad you did!

Very nice place but could use some more shade. It is definitely built nature friendly as it has a nice walkway that flows with the gardens. I would recommend going sometime when it's cooler though:)! It is nice that it's free, but I would pay!

This is a wonderful experience... a lot to be learned about desert life and local flora and fauna. The park is set up very well, and the animals are clearly very well cared for. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Very nice trail. Good exposure to local vegetation and animals. Well kept. Good lookout points to see overview of Carlsbad. No complaints.

This was a very relaxing visit to walk around and see all the animals. We especially enjoyed the Mountain lions - they had a larger cat and a smaller cat, what beautiful animals. Several of the animals had been severely injured in the wild and were brought here to be taken care of. It's nice to see these animals in such good care

Just a little local garden and zoo with some animals. Definitely a great way to spend a few hours while in the area.

We enjoyed this unique state park for its inside exhibits, extensive botanical gardens, animal viewings, and picnic area. Views from its high ridge location are amazing. All well worth the modest entry fee. We visited on a weekday, so it was quiet and pleasant. Quite a few of the animals are the shy type and were not visible. One exhibit (Nocturnal) was closed. The walk-thru aviary and reptile houses are nice. Although there are good signs identifying plants and animals, many signs are in disrepair, which lends a bit a sad air to things. Masks are ‘required’ indoors; sanitizer is provided. Worth a detour to visit here.

From the local animals to desert flora, this is a great place to spend a few hours. Many native plants have plaques identifying them, however many are misplaced. A plaque marked lechiguilla sits in front of some rabbit bush and creosote. Animals look healthy and content.

We were surprised to find this place during our trip to Carlsbad to visit the caverns. One morning we had some extra time so we decided to visit the Living Desert and Zoo. It is a nice combination of a botanical garden and a zoo. We went in the early morning before the temperatures rose. In addition to the gardens and zoo, they have a picnic area, and some nice displays in the visitor center.

We enjoyed this zoo. However, if you go mid summer, bring an umbrella for shade and water. The walk is mostly level but the last bit is uphill and can wind the elderly or out of shape.

I realize the time of day probably affected the results. We hardly saw anything. Except a lot of dying plants. The plants and cactus outside of park looked better.

At $5, you can't beat it for seeing some of the local flora and fauna. Nothing spectacular but interesting.

Had a good experience there. Friendly staff good cost at 5$ person. Great trails and plenty to see with a lot of information. Great for kids or anyone interested in learning more about the wildlife of carlsbad. Will be coming back soon in the near future

Great zoo, wonderful attentive staff, made sure I was aware of the heat issues, and even gave my son a ride in their
Carts because he was to tired to walk. Perfect outing

Very enjoyable different type of zoo. Got to see plenty of the local wildlife along with a long hike. Would definitely recommend this place to visit.

First visited 27 yrs ago on our honeymoon... now visited it again with our teenagers. The kids weren't sure they would enjoy it (since they are used to "modern" zoos). They LOVED it!

A lot of walking, so bring water and pace yourself... but very informative about the desert plant life!

The Bald Eagle, Mountain Lions, and Raven were cool... but the family favorite were the adorable prairie dogs!!!

This so much more than a zoo. This park has been very thoughtfully planned and designed as way to experience and learn about all aspects of desert life, including plants,animals,terrain and geology . A chance to see endangered species and learn about the importance of their survival and preservation and fragile environment .There are educational and community programs here for all ages. Easy trail for all ages. The cactus greenhouse was amazing!

First, with the location of this place on top of a very high hill, the view is spectacular. One of the docents told me she could identify a geographic feature she knew to be at least 70 miles away!

We arrived at shortly after 8 in the morning while it was still relatively cool. The self guided tour is on a path about 1 1/4 miles in length. We took our time as were just as much interested in the flora as the fauna.

At only 5 dollars for admission this was a great entertainment value.

Well worth the $5.00 entrance fee. Nice little zoo and gardens to walk around. It overlooks the Pecos River Valley.

Excellent! It had snowed the night before and during the day, so seeing the Desert flora covered in snow was a real rare treat. A very impressive array of desert flora and fauna, including birds & snakes! A bit of a ‘hidden gem’ in Carlsbad, as the trip our GPS put us on had us thinking this was in someone’s backyard!

Nice place for an afternoon walk to get in your steps.
Interesting botanical and animal displays representing the desert. Nothing exotic and most animals were unmoving, but the havalinas put on a little exhibition as did the prarie dogs. Would be a good place to take a kid on a cool day. $5 entry fee was certainly reasonable.

This place is really neat. Not to pricey . had a lot to see. Took us like 35-45 min to go threw. Very neat couple in the gift shop. Recommended to everyone.

My husband and I visited Carlsbad over spring break and had just enough time to add this to our itinerary one afternoon. Walking through the exhibits took about 1 1/2 hours, and most of the animals were present and active. The gardens are very nice throughout. The layout is good, and the informative signs were helpful. It was fun to see the city from the higher elevation as well. The volunteer at the front desk was precious and friendly. The only negative was the wind, but that is an expectation in March.

Attended a wedding reception and there was plenty of room and all the decorations were beautiful and the restroom was clean.

Definitely worth the $5 admission fee but go in the morning as it's about an hour outside walk around the grounds.

Visited with 7 adults. We found the paved walk nice and the exhibits well presented. Enjoyed the Aviary and the Snake house. Also the cats were very active the day we visited and added to your enjoyment. Nice gift shop and artifact area where you can touch the objects. Should be fun for all ages.

This was a great place to learn about the different desert plants and animals, plus a great way to get a walk in.

Visited the Living Desert Zoo & Garden State Park 4.5 miles from Carlsbad. Absolutely brilliant. Only $5 entry per person to witness native fauna & flora in their natural habitat on a 1.3 mile trail. Bobcats, Road Runners, Bald Eagle, Javelinas and Snakes plus the vegetation nicely labelled & much, much more! They say average stay 90 minutes. We were there two & a half hours plus gift shop time.
All SNAKES pictured were behind glass! Phew!

It was 97 degrees when we went and less than half the animals were out. We learned about the plants but I just wish it was cooler because the walk was long and miserable. The gift shop was well worth the end.

Spent a nice (VERY HOT!) morning here with our 6 kids (ages 5 to 15). We saw as much as we could, but felt a little disappointed at the number of empty animal enclosures. It was informative and everything was well labeled. Found out later that day through a few different hikes, that this Zoo and Gardens does a VERY nice job of displaying EXACTLY what you would find out in the wild deserts of New Mexico. It was neat to put a name with the different plants and animals we saw while out hiking, based on what we had learned at the Living Desert just that morning.

We had some extra time in Carlsbad so checked this out and were so happy we did. Located on a hilltop with exceptional presentation of desert plants and geographic elements as well as the animals, all accessible in 1+miles of paved trail.

More than half the exhibits are closed/ the animals elsewhere, which was disappointing. The wolves and cats seem to have a bit of space (relatively) but the birds - well, it is absolutely pitiful seeing the owl, a raven, an eagle and a turkey vulture confined to the tiniest of quarters, birds used to flying over vast miles of territory - surely inhumane? The grounds are very unkempt too, a bit of a wasteland, really -
I left totally depressed :(

It's a nice stop if you're in the area. Many of the animals are injured and it's nice to see that they are being cared for. Many of the exhibits have a lot of open space, although some of the bird cages were really small (the vuluture and two eagles in a small space).

I didn't really have high expectations coming in so I wasn't dissapointed. If you want to see a lot of animals this probably isn't for you as there's a decent amount of walking and desert vegetation separating a small amount of animal exhibits. It is very cheap at 5 dollars a person.

We spent most of the day at the caverns, and we're looking for something to do to kill a couple of hours. We went to the Living Desert. While it is interesting, there were quite a few exhibits that were under repair of renovation. It's good to continually improve, but as a paying customer, it's a little disappointing to see empty exhibits.

So everyone we talked to raved about this place (including local people). This place was terrible...it looked so over grown and half the plants looked dead. Now the animals...well at least the ones you could see looked awful. They may be rescue animals, but I wanted to contact the state of New Mexico to complain cause they looked so sick. I felt so bad for everything in that place. One buffalo looked like it was trying to drown himself in his water bucket. One looked like it died next to the fence trying to escape. All the areas looked way to small for what they need. Even the majestic bald eagles cage was too small. I paid 13 dollars too much. The only cool thing was saw was a very big rattle snake...since we were the only people in that building you could hear his rattle thru the double glass. But he looked way to big for that small of tank he was in.

Nothing special. A nice walk if you have the time. Seems to be a little neglected but would pass if you have other places to go.

If you're done exploring Carlsbad Caverns and looking for something more to do in the town of Carlsbad, this living desert zoo is a nice little distraction. Well planned out (wish the cages for the birds were a little bigger. There's a sombre sadness seeing a bald eagle unable to spread his wings and fly in his enclosure).

Hands down the favourite was the Prairie Dogs. We watched them for a good half hour.

A quiet and peaceful visit. Weather hotting up so glad to be out early rather than late. Bear and wolves hiding from the heat but the mountain cat and bobcat magnificent. A lot of information displayed on the way round and the staff friendly and informative. Good gift shop, restrooms clean, no restaurant but vending machines. Well worth a visit.

This is a great attraction for people with kids! My stepson really enjoyed the foxes, pumas, and the owl. They hade an indoor center as well. This was a very nice way to end the day after the Caverns.

There seem to be some not so favorable reviews of this place, which we didn’t really get at all. This place is trying to bounce back from the pandemic and really could use your support. There were beautiful desert plants to see, and the animals and reptiles were great, especially a friendly and extremely interactive raven that was hilarious. There were some cool rattlesnakes, and a gigantic bald eagle, among other native desert animals. Was it hot? Yes! It’s the desert! Prepare yourself. Wear a hat, bring a lot of water, pace yourself and then get a souvenir and a ice cream at the air conditioned gift shop. The views were stunning, and it was a fun trip on the way to Carlsbad caverns.

Good collection of wildlife: wolves, bear, bison, elk, and lots of birds. Lovely setting on the hill above town. Will gladly return when we are back in the area.

We bring our son up our local zoo several times per year. The staff is always friendly. They have great activities each month. The animals seem healthy & happy.

The garden walk was nice and very informative. I've seen the animals in the zoo in several other places with nicer enclosures. Interesting visitor center.

This Living Zoo has some pros and cons.

First of all, it's cheap, so I think it's still worth trying out, especially if you have younger kids.

I would recommend going in the morning. It was cooler (we were there in July), but we found that the zookeeper feeding the animals was on the same trajectory as we were, so we got to see a lot of activity where she was feeding. She was also super friendly and answered questions, offered info, etc.

The zoo was pretty underwhelming for us, but I suspect that if my kids (12 & 15) were younger, it would be a bit more exciting. My 12 yo did more than a bit of excited squealing watching the bobcats play with a dog toy, though, so that was a win.

I also appreciate that the cage fencing is only one layer. I'm sure there are reasons to have multiple barriers, but there's no point in a zoo where you can barely see the animals. This zoo seems to make it easier to see the animals who are cooperating (not hiding in their igloos).

On the way out, we wandered through the gift shop briefly, but there was a cigarette smell like someone was smiking in there. Ew! Maybe I'm spoiled living in an urban area where smoking in a public place is prohibited, but I had no desire to stay in the gift shop after getting a whiff of that.

One more thing... we switched our plans to visit because the google hours listed were 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and we thought it was open later, so we went the next morning. It turns out that 3:30 is the last entry, but they're open until 5:00 (and open at 8:00 a.m.), Had we known that, we wouldn't have altered our plans (although admittedly, we would've been hotter and most of the animals probably would've been snoozing in the shade).

Visit when you have an hour or two. Bring water.

We were not expecting to find this place but we were glad we did. Our 3 children loved it. The walk around the gardens isnt too strenuous and we saw lots of animals ,,the javelinas, mountain lion and black bear were particular highlights. Well maintained with good paths, its easy to get around.The perfect activity with young children and to split up a long journey. free entry for kids was an added bonus,

Cost was reasonable $5 per person. It's a nice walk through of what is local in the area. The views are quite nice from this location as well.

A little gem in Carlsbad, this park and zoo is a great example of teaching while showing. Very well set out and organized, the visitor center provides a map with a small blurb for each habitat of the New Mexico desert and its characteristics. As one wanders along the path, the landscape mirrors each habitat in miniature and shows its flora's most iconic members with well-done small explanations on each plant including its use. The habitats are interspersed with nice animal enclosures explaining the dwellers within each (some nursed back from found injured status).
The concept brings 'living desert' within easy reach to kids ad along with a little attention and explanation from the adults can really help to spend a fun afternoon discussing history, animals, plants and conservation.

Be prepared: mountain lions and bobcats are larger then one remembers! So are elks and ravens.

The gift shop is rich in kitsch and food items--get the latter (cactus candy, soup or bread mixes) or some of the not-so-spectacular book selection if you choose to support the museum.

Loved the little lady who greets you at the entrance . Was nice, clean and interactive. Loved all the horticultural and native animal facts you can read about along the way. Super affordable. Nice views.

What a great find. We really enjoyed the walk around the grounds with all of the plants but then you also had all of the animals.

Enjoyed our visit to the Living Desert Zoo, beautiful examples of nature for this area. Was disappointed we didn't get to see many of the animals in their environments but did enjoy the views of the city and countryside. The cactus with blooms were outstanding. Fairly priced admission and staff friendly and helpful. Would visit again later in the day as we were there just after lunch time.

I really enjoy going to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park here in Carlsbad, NM. It is a great place to take the kids on days where the weather is nice. We got there first thing when they opened and started because we knew it would get hot fast. The cats are my favorite, but the little boys I was with seemed to like the snakes the best. It is a great place to get a walk in too while admiring the animals. If you go when it is very hot, most of the animals will be resting as they don't like the extreme heat either.

I always pack sunscreen and water and wear my comfortable walking shoes. Once I took a picnic with me and stopped to have a snack. But this visit we did not bring drinks or snacks (other than water which is pretty much a requirement when doing anything outside in the summer months.

What I enjoy about this zoo is that it presents the animals in their natural habitat as much as possible. The plants, the animals, the way that they decorate all represent Eastern New Mexico and the animals that you could encounter here. It is not a huge zoo and because it is a state park, the fee is minimal ($5 for adults, slightly less for children) thus their budget is not huge. I get that and appreciate the chance to take guests and visit with friends...or just get out of the house and enjoy the animals while I take a walk.

If you decide to go, find time to talk to some of the employees. They can tell you the stories of the animals and why they are here and what they love most about working there. The employees really seem to go out of their way to make sure guests have a good time. If you are passing through town with little ones, come early while it is still cooler, bring water and sunscreen and enjoy our native animals. :)

The facility also serves as a banquet hall for area events which is nice to view the animals later in the evening when it is cooler.

We went there to get a Bird I.D. one afternoon. They were right on top of it. While we were there, we looked around and found it lovely. Just one thing, the last admission is 3:30 PM

For starters the website links you to the California zoo so we were sadly disappointed when we found out where we were really going. My GPS told me it would take 13hrs and I knew something was wrong. Once I found the correct website (which was not easy) we decided to still go. Myself and 3 kids - 5yo, 3yo and 1yo. Many exhibits were vacant and I was surprised in some there were on 1 or 2 animals.... kinda a lonely life. My kids did enjoy the reptile house the cat exhibit. I will not be returning unless I hear of improvements.

It’s a really great way to get an overview of the desert plants and animals. The signs have both basic and unexpected information. There are a lot of really cool animals, and most were visible when we went in the afternoon. There are pamphlets that guide you through a well-structured walking tour. Animals in the nocturnal exhibit are a little hard to find, but with perseverance we were able to see a few toads. It was a really fun visit.

The only thing wrong with our visit was the weather: August was the wrong time to enjoy this delightful park. It was just too hot. But we would love to come back in November. Such amazing views! A great combination of scenery, history, and animals -- although even the animals were hiding from the heat and we didn't get to fully enjoy them. If you have the chance to see it (maybe from October - May?), by all means, go. Wear good shoes. The trails were accessible if you walk with a cane and had good places to stop and rest. Bring some water with you.

Admission is only $5 so this is an inexpensive way to spend a few hours. Park is well organized and has lots of animals and plants. It was sad to see so many dead plants and areas that looked like they needed some attention. We were able to see most of the animals as we were there at feeding time. The last entry is at 3:30 but the park is open until 5. It was hot, however shade was provided at various stops. There are a couple restrooms available along the path and at the main entrance. Drink and snack machines are available there. Great view of Carlsbad from the park. Yes, it does appear some animals have only minimal space. But you do get to see most of the animals. The mountain lion is beautiful. I would think small children would really enjoy this park.

we decided to come here because the day was kind of cool and gloomy and we wanted to cheer up! We really enjoyed the grounds - the desert plants and flowers and all the animals! We were amazed at how many animals were here! We loved the greenhouse with all the cactus and different plants - so cool!!! Next time we are coming on a sunny day!

My sister and I had some time after visiting Carlsbad one day Guadalupe the next so we went to the desert museum And were quite surprised. Very friendly staff and informative extensive exhibits inside. We were a little off-season so no one was there .the walking paths wind through well marked plant life ...through a bird aviary ..past enclosures of bobcat and mountain lions ..great views over Carlsbad ..and a greenhouse full of specimens .go in am for cooler temps

Small zoo and gardens. Very friendly staff. Reptile house was closed when we went last weekend. Very hot in the summer - buy some water to take on the trail. You have to see Maggie's artwork. She is a black bear at the zoo who paints, and you can eben buy her paintings.

I thought the park was very nice. The botanical gardens were informative and well cared for. The animals were relaxed and appeared to have enough room to move around. My favorites were the prairie dogs and the mountain lions. Not all enclosures were occupied. I’m guessing that is because this park takes in orphaned or injured animals that can’t be in the wild, and there aren’t any animals that need help right now??? My suggestion to the park would be to include the story of the animal and how it came to be at the park somewhere on the enclosure so people can read/know their stories. We ran into a worker who told us the story of the bald eagle, Kenai. If we hadn’t heard of the eagle’s story I would have felt very sorry for him and thought he didn’t have enough room to fly.
Overall, I felt it was well worth the $5 admission!

The cost to enter was minimal, the staff were informative and excited about the park, and our entire family had a wonderful experience. There was a lot of good information, we had a beautiful walk through of the entire park, and we got some beautiful photos. It is about a mile long walk, self-guided, and you will see animals and vegetation unique to the desert. The gift shop had a lot of fun options as well, and overall we found this to be a more than worthwhile stop on our vacation.

Unfortunately, the Living Desert Zoo and State Park is mostly dead, not living. Due to the extreme drought in Southeast NM and lack of care to the plants during Covid, the “gardens” are mostly dried up dead sticks. In addition, the zoo is very limited. We saw maybe 5 animals/birds. It’s possible others were enclosed in indoor habitats, but we didn’t see them. The outdoor habitats were small and in need of renovation or expansion. The Cactus and Succulent Greenhouse was unbearably hot. It shouldn’t be an exhibit. It was approximately 120 degrees in there; dangerously hot. This was probably a lovely park at one time, but those days are long gone. It’s time to close the facility, release or relocate the animals, and repurpose the property. Sadly, not even worth the $5 entry fee.

Since we arrived in Carlsbad in afternoon (too late for Caverns), we checked out the Living Desert State Park. Overall a very good place to learn about the desert animals and plants. There is an inside visitor center that has some exhibits but most of the plants and animals are outside on a loop trail. Be sure to wear a good hat and sunscreen, very hot out there just like the desert! The info on the plants was very good, and the animals were as expected. This is an outside nature area, so be cognizant of the potential for snakes. We saw a large bull snake (non-poisonous) over by the small lake, but the potential for rattlers is there.

My daughter was excited to take the camel ride. But there is no more camel ride, only petting camel. The goat petting was good. We saw goats fighting with each other.

We visited late one afternoon. We especially liked the bobcat exhibit and watching the prairie dogs. We even saw a real live roadrunner! Got some great pictures too! Admission was only $5... a bargain for a couple of hours entertainment. There was an interesting gift shop too.

This is a one of a kind place for all ages. Beautiful plant life of the region and many species of animal life found in this area. The paths walk you through a part of the Chihuahuan Desert with ease on a paved trail outside.

Wonderful afternoon for families with kids of school age and above. Inside they have many displays of the local area giving everyone a view of natural beauty found right in own back yard. It is a short drive , five minutes or so from the bottom of the hill in Carlsbad to where is located overlooking the city. Grat time for all!

This place is absolutely amazing. It was only $5.00 per person to enter. Not very busy and quiet. The trails were well marked and the staff were very pleasant and hospitable. It was not overloaded with animals, but the animals that were on display were extremely well cared for, active and engaging with us. All of the desert plants and cactus were well marked as well. There is also a large greenhouse that showcases many different cactuses that aren't native to New Mexico that was really neat. This is a definite must see if you are in the area.

At the time we went, they were also selling potted cacti that were in abundance to the public in the gift shop

We really enjoyed ourselves here. The displays in the visitors center were excellent. We spent a long time looking and reading. We are here in December so things aren’t blooming. I imagine the outdoor displays would be more lovely in a warmer season, but there was great variety and quite a bit of signage telling us what we were looking at. The animals, reptiles and birds were really good. I’d never seen bobcats or mountain lions or wolves up close! A ranger told us that most of the animals are rescues which made me feel good about the critters in captivity. They are also doing some breeding and release into the word endangered species. The only reason I’m not giving this a 5 is that there is a cactus greenhouse that needs some TLC. Not good signage and many of the plants look pretty sad.

Definitely worth your time and money.Well designed and maintained zoo and gardens. Highly educational....great fun for families.

It was very nice place to visit to see some of the regional animal. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was put together.

After a 500 mile drive we were ready to stretch our legs and learn about the animals and plants of New Mexico. I checked the website and saw they were open until 5pm and had a 1.3 mile loop. Perfect! We could do it in less then an hour. We got to the gate at 3:38 and it was closed. I called and was told they do not let people in after 3:30, no exceptions. We parked and walked in to the visitors center to figure out what the story was and the woman working there was completely uncaring and unsympathetic. We were 8 minutes late! There was still well over an hour to do the loop. She stated that policy was policy and that they were not paid overtime so they were not willing to risk us not being back by 5 and having to stay late. I assured her we could do 1.3 miles in under an hour but she did not care. I explained our enthusiasm (including our two school ages kids that were with us) towards learning about the native plants and animals of New Mexico, having never been in the state before. She did not care. She said it's not worth her time and it happens all the time (?). If it happens all the time they really need to rethink their policies. She was obviously annoyed by our distress and began activly ignoring us so we left.

We spend a lot of time traveling and visiting National Parks, museums, and nature areas. Never have I met an employee who cared less about being an ambassador for the organization she works for. It was a disturbing experience and I hope whoever runs the place can rethink the policies and guest interactions. We were hoping for a learning experience but not the type we received.

This place was so much fun. Lots of animals and plant life to see. Lots of learning. My kids had a grand time running around. The only downside was the water fountains throughout the park were down. So bring water while you walk.
We forgot our stroller and the park has some you can borrow for the walk. It was a decent little thing. The gift shop had lots of cool things to buy and see

This is a walk through "zoo" very nice place. We were hoping to see the turtles hatching again but I guess we were too late in the year.

Be sure to make time to visit. It is worth the few hours you will spend there. You can get a closer look at the desert you normally only admire from the car windows.

We stopped here with a group of students. This is not an exotic zoo, animals are local to the area and include elk, deer, hawk, mountain lion, a black bear and others. We loved the reptile room. We also loved the succulent room which is full of cacti and succulents from all over the world. The gift shop is nice too, along with the volunteers.

Informative afternoon viewing vastly different landscapes, flowers and animals. Children may not be as interested. Prairie dogs were very cute!

interesting place, but extremely hot when you walk around outside, and that is where all the interesting things are. I suggest going later in the afternoon or early morning to be able enjoy it

This is a $5 charge mini-zoo and desert landscape display center. Well worth the $5 entry! Staff is great, friendly and helpful. Last entry is early around 330 or so. Many native desert plants displayed, and numerous desert animals and reptiles. Good collection of snakes and a bear!

While this zoo and gardens state park isn't large, by zoo standards, it is a delightful experience. We went about 10 AM, trying to beat the heat. The walk through the various desert habitats was informative and quite beautiful. The animal enclosures were a bit small and one member of our party was disappointed with this. However, the animals appeared to be well taken care of. We were told that many animals have come to the Living Desert Zoo as rescued or rehabbed animals. The views from this area are quite spectacular. We found the experience to be well worth the $5 entry fee (for adults). We will go back and we will take any visitors to Carlsbad.

Great treat for when you want to animals of the region in native habitat. They have done a really good job of keeping the exhibits up and the animals are well cared for. A must see when travellers come to our fine town.

Upon arriving I found there were no signs at the entrance or on the main building. Always thinking that's kind of odd for a place that you want people to come to. Since it was a very reasonable price I won't complain too much but the walk was good the animals that I did see were okay, it seemed like it needed an infusion of maintenance and energy. As it was a beautiful day I enjoyed walking around the area. I would allow between 1 and 2 hours if you are interested in reading most of the information on site.

We normally don't believe negative reviews and go to places anyway. We chose to that here and paid 15 dollars to get in. Complete waste. Only a few animals even live here anymore and the "living" garden is completely dead. You could look at the landscaping around walmart and see more living plants. It might have been nice at some point but that time has long past!

The animals were well kept and healthy, the grounds and different exhibits were well done and educational. We learned allot about the dessert plant life and animals. The landscape was beautiful and standing at the top of the hillside where the observatory is was breathtaking. The price for the visit is a super value we felt we should have paid more for what we received from the day.

It's a small zoo but has a good variety of animals for its size. Also exhibits a wide variety of local plants. Animals we saw included elk, bison, deer, prairie dogs, hawks, snakes, lizards, pronghorns, fish, and turtles among some others. There is also a small indoor exhibit at the entrance detailing American Indian culture and ecological history of the area. A nice side trip from the caverns.

This was a great, easy desert hike with a bonus of seeing some animals. I wouldn't come here with the main intent to see animals as there were minimal. But good value for money. Our kids - 7 and 5 1/2 yrs - enjoyed except at the end (long walk for them).

Really nicely run New Mexico state park. Go early in morning for best temperatures. Really neat to get to see the variety of Chihuahuan desert flora and fauna. Small gift shop with snacks.

It costs just $5 to get into the park/zoo and it is worth every cent. The desert flora displays are amazing and then you get to the wildlife, most of which are injured or rehabilitated animals being well looked after. We spent an easy 3 hours here and didn’t feel rushed.

First, you are not only in a literal desert in SE New Mexico, you are also in a figurative desert of things to do. Outside of the Caverns, not a lot to see/do in the area.

Is this going to be on the same level of attraction as a large metropolitan city? No.

With that out of the way, my family of 5 had a good time walking through the park and seeing the various types of vegetation in the area. From afar the landscape looks alike, but seeing the differences between prickly pears, ocotillo, agave, etc was really cool and gave me a greater appreciation for what I was seeing on the roadsides while driving around the area.

We also got to see most of the animals during our visit, the only real “no-shows” were the big cats (mountain lion and bobcat). Favorites of the group were the gila monster, javelinas, wolves, and the prairie dogs.

Bring some water and enjoy 1-2 hours walking through the park.

We had a wonderful time looking at the native plant life and the animals were beautiful. We watched the eagle for what seemed like hours. The walking paths are easy to navigate. There are opportunities for resting in the shade or enjoying the sunshine. Lots of animals to watch and enjoy.

Great place to visit at a reasonable price. Took my time and spent 2 hours there. Animals from local area.

We spent a few hours here and truly enjoyed our visit. You get to see many of the indigenous plants and animals to the area. The cost is very reasonable, $5 per person 13 and up.

The caverns are, of course, a must visit but if you have a free half a day try the Living Desert Zoo.

A value at $5.00 a person. You take a 1.3 mile loop walk. Along the way see interpretive signs about the flora.

Animals include: javelinas, mountain lions, bears, birds, prairie dogs and many others.

Two hours to complete the walk.

We are from New Mexico and had family visiting from the midwest.We had been to the Living Desert Zoo about 6 years and really enjoyed it and raved about it to our visitors so we made the 3 hour trip.Wow,,we didnt even recognize the place.The entrance was grown up in weeds,the lady behind the desk was obviously having a bad day and left her personality at home.The animal exhibits were really sad and needed alot of attention,and what animals you could see were equally unhappy lookin,,which we didn't understand because there were plenty of staff standing around..This park makes New Mexico look bad..I sincerely hope they either close it or do a complete overhaul including some of yhe staff.

This isn't a large Zoo, but it is definitely worth stopping by. They have several animal exhibits and the staff was wonderful. Make sure to go into the succulents room! It is off the path a little bit, but worth the walk through

Plan to spend a couple of days seeing this cave. So pretty with so many formations. My daughter did one of the wild cave tours and loved it. Get your tickets reservations as early as possible.

Rescued animals, good viewing. Don't miss the prairie dogs. If it is going to be hot, go early. The price is right!

If you are in Carlsbad to visit the Caverns then take a moment to visit this nice place. It has all kinds of desert plants, which I am interested in since it is the only thing I can keep alive. And desert animals. A whole different look than your normal zoo. Very interesting.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time here wandering through the park/zoo. Learned a lot about the different desert plants and enjoyed the animals. There weren’t many other visitors while we were there so it was very quiet and peaceful. The prairie dogs entertained us for quite a while.

Complaint - it looks like they have a lovely gift shop. We were prepared to help the economy and spend some money. There was a sign on the entrance that masks were required. Unfortunately, the staff didn’t enforce that - there was a family of five where adults weren’t wearing masks and the kids had theirs on their chins. So we skipped the gift shop.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park is an unassuming place. We enjoyed walking through the exhibits, which were organized around different types of ecosystems. Saw some cool animals that you may not see at other zoos. Bisons were definitely a highlight.

The people in charge of the Living Desert State Park have allowed much of the park to suffer, and the obvious neglect we saw made me wonder what sort of ethos now prevails, as opposed to 2019, when the roofless building housing the succulents was filled with vibrant cacti, and other plants. Now, death is everywhere, and some of the nicest barrel cacti I had ever seen (in 2019) are dead or dying. The info lady explained that the powers that be have not decided what to do with some of the succulents. I can tell them one pertinent thing; the way to handle uncertainty is not to allow the things that attract people to go out of their way to visit the park to die. If administrator(s?) think that diminishing the number and quality of plants on display will help their attendance, I think they are quite wrong. After telling my friend about the wonderful experience here in 2019, and have her expecting to see the wonders of the desert, to waste time and money to come here has been a real disappointment.

We visited the Living Desert & Zoo during our stay in the Roswell, Carlsbad area. We were pleasantly surprised at how big it was. It had areas for native plants with plenty of signage for descriptions of plants. The zoo areas were spacious and the animals were visible. This was a wonderful Park to spend a few hours at.

Beautiful visitors center but horrible conditions for caged animals. Enclosures were way too small. Felt very bad for all the poor animals.

I'm surprised it's even legal to have animals caged up like that.

Get rid of zoo and just make it a park.

For the price it is a true bargain!
The indoor exhibits are educational.
Saw them feeding the animals.
State Park in Carlsbad.

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to kill 1-2 hours this is a pretty good way to do so. $16 for a family of 4, and we really enjoyed a zoo designed to show you what naturally lives in the region your visiting.

Cons... Old, probably not updated for a long time, several animals were either impossible to see or the exhibits were empty. And it was hot, though hard to blame the zoo for that one.

I enjoyed seeing all the desert plants with their names. The trail is very informative. A lot of the animals were missing. All in all it was a nice place.

I took my three grandchildren to this zoo and was very pleased. The staff were all very nice and helpful. The exhibits were clean and attractive. The animals seemed to be happy and well cared-for. It's a very nice way to spend an afternoon especially with children. The main building has some very interesting exhibits and the rest rooms were clean and well maintained.

It is best to get here early, as in the heat, what animals they do have, hide in the shade. There are not a lot of animals, but enough to make it interesting. Just wished we could have seen the bear. The park provides a map, but it is very confusing to decipher. We eventually made it around the whole park. Loved the cactus of the world display.

My husband and I visited Carlsbad in January. Originally we had planned to visit the caverns for which Carlsbad is so well known. However, they were temporarily closed and we had to find other things to do.
The Living Desert was fun, informative, and inexpensive. It is a walk through activity of about 1.3 miles, but the paths are easily navigable for most. A map shows the planned route through the different habitats for the Chihuauan desert and the animal exhibits available.
It was quite cold during our visit, so so e of the animals were not interested in coming out, but others, like the cats, were more active than expected.
Please give this park a visit if you are in the area. It is so worth the time

Living Desert State Park exhibits more than 40 species of animals and hundreds of species of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It provides an up-close experience with a variety of interpretive programs for every season. Living Desert became a state park in 1971. It features native animal species such as pronghorn, bison, bobcats, mule deer, elk, kit fox, Gila monster, cougar, prairie dogs, reptiles, fourteen species of snakes, and Mexican wolves. An aviary contains golden eagles, hawks, owls, roadrunners, songbirds, and turkeys. The gardens feature a greenhouse and hundreds of cacti and succulents from around the world, including acacia, agave, small barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo, prickly pear, saguaro, organ pipe, and yucca. We took the 1.3 mile self-guided trail that lead through sand dunes, arroyos, a pinion pine and juniper forest.
This was a great little excursion that answered alot of our questions about what we have been seeing on our hikes in the Deserts of the USA!!!

My husband and I took a day outing to see the wonderful zoo. It’s very educational of the plants that live in this area. Each time we’ve visited we see something new!

Very well organized. A nice 1 1/2 H visit. Don't forget to take some water, sunblock, and a hat during the summer. Few shadow spots.

Very nice park high up looking over Carlsbad. Wonderful views. Some animals were removed until spring of 2017. Still a lovely walk. The bob cats were adorable playing with each other. This park is loaded with information about the plants and animals. Favorite part are the cactus but be prepared the temperature is 120. it's time to raise the roof on as the cactuses are hitting the ceiling.
Definitely a must visit.

This park is a lovely facility that is set up on top of a high hill with the various displays spread throughout the compound. There are paved walkways between them and each affords a lovely view of the area from a hilltop setting.
The admission is only $5, and the staff are very friendly and ready to answer any questions. There is a small gift shop where you can purchase items (and water) inside the main building.
Overall, we really enjoyed the park. They have all the indigenous wild life represented as well and the local plants and cacti. The aviary section displayed some beautiful birds like falcon and eagles and it was almost sad to see them so limited in the enclosures. But they seemed to be well cared for.
This is a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with the New Mexico wild life and enjoy some time outside with pretty views. Make sure you wear good walking shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of water.

We visited this park during the hottest part of the day, which I would avoid if possible. So we hurried through the outside part and were thankful for the AC in the visitor's center. But our 9 and 11-year olds still enjoyed it. Just wish we could have taken more time. Some of the animals could not be seen, but enough were present to keep the kids' interest. The clerk in the gift shop was helpful and pleasant. Another attendant gave us some wrong info about the Caverns, so double-check info about other places. My husband and I had been here before at a cooler time and had enjoyed it more.

Very inexpensive but kind of tired. The plants could all use a little love and we felt so sorry for the poor elk who looked miserable in their enclosure. We did get to see and hear the Mtn lion and the other cats, as well as rattle snakes and birds and some interesting plants. I was slightly taken back to realize snakes live loose in the park after I had walked around fairly carefree but it is the wild. Probably should be more of a warning on entry.