Major city · United States
Roswell, New MexicoRoswell
Give Roswell one full day and one night: the UFO museum, the art museum and Bottomless Lakes fit in a day, and there is little else to fill a second.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (desert heat, 35 °C+ days)avoid Jul–Aug (desert heat, 95 °F+ days)
- Airports
- ROW · ABQ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Roswell is a small southeastern New Mexico city that trades on a 1947 alleged UFO crash. The UFO museum, a genuinely good art and space museum, and a state park 20 minutes east cover a day. It sits on US 285 and US 70/380, so most visitors arrive by car between Carlsbad Caverns, Ruidoso and the Texas plains. Two nights is the ceiling unless you are here for the early-July UFO Festival.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Roswell, New Mexico, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyRoswell is a normal small US city: violent crime is low but not zero, and the real hazards are desert heat…
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 575-624-6770 Roswell Police non-emergency · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportROW Roswell International Air Center (American Eagle to Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix; the field is also an aircrew training base…
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are spread over 15 km and Bottomless Lakes is 20 km east.A car is the practical choice: sights are spread over 9.3 mi and Bottomless Lakes is 12 mi east.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealBreakfast burrito or diner plate$10–18
- BeerCraft beer or hard cider at a taproom$7–10
- Museum or sight ticketUFO museum entry$7 adults, $4 children 5–15, $5 seniors and military (check)
- Budget bedFamily suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ROW Roswell International Air Center (American Eagle to Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix; the field is also an aircrew training base, so large aircraft may be parked or flying low) · ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport (About 320 km / 3.5 h by car via US 285; the usual gateway if you are driving)ROW Roswell International Air Center (American Eagle to Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix; the field is also an aircrew training base, so large aircraft may be parked or flying low) · ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport (About 199 mi / 3.5 h by car via US 285; the usual gateway if you are driving)
Weather and climate
Roswell, New Mexico: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C57°F
−3°C27°F
3 rd
Feb
17°C63°F
−1°C30°F
3 rd
Mar
22°C72°F
3°C37°F
3 rd
Apr
26°C79°F
7°C45°F
3 rd
May
31°C88°F
12°C54°F
4 rd
Jun
35°C95°F
17°C63°F
4 rd
Jul
35°C95°F
19°C66°F
6 rd
Aug
34°C93°F
18°C64°F
7 rd
Sep
30°C86°F
14°C57°F
5 rd
Oct
25°C77°F
8°C46°F
4 rd
Nov
18°C64°F
1°C34°F
3 rd
Dec
13°C55°F
−4°C25°F
3 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are spread over 15 km and Bottomless Lakes is 20 km east. A city bus runs the length of Main Street from the north Walmart to the airport several times a day, and local taxis exist, but neither reaches the state park or the refuge. Parking downtown is free and easy.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bottomless Lakes State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US 380 east about 19 km, then NM 409 south about 5 kmUS 380 east about 12 mi, then NM 409 south about 3.1 mi
Day use $5 per vehicle (check); swim, fish or walk the rim in the morning.
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive northeast of town on US 380 / NM 409
Free; birding and wetland boardwalks, best at dawn or dusk.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US 285 south then US 62/180, about 145 kmUS 285 south then US 62/180, about 90 mi
Too far for a comfortable return day with cave time; sleep in Carlsbad.
Ruidoso
goDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US 70 west over the Sacramento Mountains, about 120 kmUS 70 west over the Sacramento Mountains, about 75 mi
Cooler mountain town; a good next stop rather than a day return.
Lincoln Historic Site
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US 380 west, about 80 kmUS 380 west, about 50 mi
Billy the Kid country; check seasonal hours before driving.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
North Main Street
Chain motels, Walmart, most drive-in food; best for one night with a car.
Downtown / Main Street core
Walk to the UFO museum, art museum and cafés; fewer beds, book ahead.
Airport area (south)
Closest to ROW and the air park; quiet at night, needs a car for everything.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–190 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| UFO museum entry2 × US$7 · check | US$14 |
| Bottomless Lakes day use1 × US$5 · per vehicle; check | US$5 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$258 per person per day, bed included | US$516 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Breakfast burrito or diner plate | $10–18 |
| Green chile cheeseburger with fries | $14–22 |
| Craft beer or hard cider at a taproom | $7–10 |
| UFO museum entry | $7 adults, $4 children 5–15, $5 seniors and military (check) |
| Bottomless Lakes day use | $5 per vehicle (check) |
| Gasoline, per gallon | $3.00–3.60 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are real: fuel up before leaving I-40 or US 285, and carry water — services are sparse outside town.
- Summer afternoons hit 35 °C+; do Bottomless Lakes and Bitter Lake in the morning.Summer afternoons hit 95 °F+; do Bottomless Lakes and Bitter Lake in the morning.
- Store alcohol sales are restricted on Sundays; restaurants serve from noon to 22:00.Store alcohol sales are restricted on Sundays; restaurants serve from noon to 10:00 PM.
- The UFO museum is a private attraction with a modest entry fee — set expectations, it is documents and dioramas, not a theme park.
- Do not count on rideshare outside the centre; arrange a taxi or drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Roswell Police non-emergency
- 575-624-6770
- Poison Control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Roswell, New MexicoRoswell
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Roswell Police non-emergency575-624-6770
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates in Roswell; nearest consular offices are in Albuquerque and El Paso (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ROW airport → downtown: about $15–25 by taxi, 10 min (check)
- City bus, Main Street: small flat fare, several runs a day (check)
- Drive Roswell → Carlsbad Caverns: about 145 km, 1 h 45 minabout 90 mi, 1 h 45 min
Say or show
- Where's the UFO museum? — Where is the UFO museum? (Main Street, downtown)
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- How far is Bottomless Lakes? — How far is Bottomless Lakes? (about 20 minutes east)
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Roswell, New Mexico. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (desert heat, 35 °C+ days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ROW: American Eagle arrival banks, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for the Main Street core: UFO museum, Roswell Museum and Art Center, planetarium, cafés.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (UFO museum, Roswell Museum, Bottomless Lakes, Bitter Lake) and eat pages with last orders.
- Festival fixture for the early-July UFO Festival so the page can flip to a go verdict.
Sources
- officialCity of Roswell — official site
- officialRoswell International Air Center (ROW)
- officialInternational UFO Museum and Research Center
- officialRoswell Museum and Art Center
- officialBottomless Lakes State Park (New Mexico State Parks)
- officialBitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- officialRoswell bus routes information
- secondaryWikivoyage: Roswell (New Mexico), revision 5236921 (CC BY-SA 4.0)