Pecos River Flume
Pecos River Flume
3.5
About
Once featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" as the river that crosses itself, this artificial channel brings Pecos River water from Lake Avalon to dry areas as part of the Carlsbad Irrigation System. Orginally made of wood, the Flume was destroyed by a flood in 1902 and then remade out of concrete.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
58 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
16
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20
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5
Terrible
2
TrueTexasTraveler
Amarillo, TX984 contributions
May 2020
If you enjoy history or architecture you'll enjoy this quick stop if you're traveling through Carlsbad. Built in the early 1900s, it was an engineering feat as the river essentially crosses over the river. This provided for water irrigation. There is also a historical park next to the flume that's worth walking through.
Written 22 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeB1952
Santa Fe, NM1,125 contributions
Apr 2023
When student teaching in Carlsbad (long, long, long ago) I had never heard of the Flume. My curiosity was peeked when I got to thinking why the Stevens Inn restaurant was called The Flume. So, I looked into it. Well, there's a big honkin' flume that takes water from a nearby lake over the Pecos River into a canal serving the area. It's just off the road.
We visited it. Looks almost like a concrete bridge. But when at the top, it clearly isn't since it's full of water. It has a bit of a history to it as well. There is a parking area nearby and picnic tables with a few displays of old machinery. Not an amazing feature. But fun to see. And more importantly to think about.
Just why did they need to go to all the trouble to build this massive concrete structure. Gotta be a good reason.
Glad we stopped by.
We visited it. Looks almost like a concrete bridge. But when at the top, it clearly isn't since it's full of water. It has a bit of a history to it as well. There is a parking area nearby and picnic tables with a few displays of old machinery. Not an amazing feature. But fun to see. And more importantly to think about.
Just why did they need to go to all the trouble to build this massive concrete structure. Gotta be a good reason.
Glad we stopped by.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colorado Martini
Denver, CO72 contributions
Dec 2019
I was in Carlsbad to go to the Caverns to video for our YouTube channel. I passed this numerous times before I realized it was historical significant. Although it is a historical feature. It isn't worth a detour. But if you are there, you should take a look see.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol P
San Antonio, TX230 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
Having been to Carlsbad many times as a child, I don't think I ever visited the Flume, so I'm glad I went this time. However, it seems like there is missed potential here. There is no information about the flume on site, so I had to look it up online later. The whole park area could be much more educational and fun with a little better upkeep and development.
Written 10 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridgette W
Dallas, TX43 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
You need to start at the bottom where the cabin is. From there you can read about the history of each. When we went up there, we had a good view of the river and the flume. I would have liked to know more about how everything worked, though.
Written 29 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DesertMoon4
Tucson, AZ24 contributions
I don't know if it was the time of year or if unusual drought plagues southern New Mexico, but neither the Pecos River Flume nor the Pecos River (below the Flume) had water in it. There is a dam downstream, and the water had backed up to NEAR the flume. Downstream of the flume parks and riverwalks adorn the sides of the Pecos River.
Written 2 January 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelFoodBoozeKids
Carlsbad, NM81 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
The flume, built in 1903, is a cool visual as you watch the harvest moon set behind it, the cranes lunch in front of it, or drive under and get a smattering of water on your windshield, similar to walking under a water slide at a water park. The flume is a popular place for Event and family pictures with locals, as well as a nighttime meet up place for locals. The two “parks” it sits between, Springs (river/fishing/picnicking) and Heritage (historical), are good short walkabouts for road weary travelers looking to stretch their legs. Maybe a half a mile at most off the main road Hwy 180 turning at the hospital onto Callaway, the two parks would be a happy, quick stop on a long travel day. Pick up some fast food to eat at a Springs Park picnic table, the atmosphere will be nice for the little time spent to achieve it.
Written 15 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonya R
Carlsbad, NM312 contributions
Nov 2018
I am often seen at lunch strolling around the flume, or perhaps just up above the road at the park where the road runner sculptures greet the guests. Perhaps I drove up just a bit to look down on the flume, eat my lunch, and watch people kayaking. I personally love to kayak here as the little flume in the water is fun and challenging...(harder in a sit on kayak and more manageable in a sit in kayak). Kayaking tip: favorite times are nights where we have a full moon and early mornings.) It is a popular place for photography, more so for senior pictures and prom pictures.
The flume itself is an aqueduct where the river crosses over itself that you see in the photos on this page. The original bridge was built in 1890 of wood and destroyed by a bad flood. Later it was rebuilt from concrete in 1903 and has four distinct arches.
To get to the flume area, turn right on Calloway drive as you are heading North on 285 and the next right turn (after the hospital turn offs) are the park and the flume. You can park your car near the flume area or at the park and stroll around. Watch for traffic as they may not notice you and please do not climb the aqueduct.
The park area has a larger parking area, tables and benches, and is nicely manicured so makes for wonderful photos or just a nice picnic area! The area is rumored to be a favorite of really young couples looking for a romantic place to hang out at night.
The flume itself is an aqueduct where the river crosses over itself that you see in the photos on this page. The original bridge was built in 1890 of wood and destroyed by a bad flood. Later it was rebuilt from concrete in 1903 and has four distinct arches.
To get to the flume area, turn right on Calloway drive as you are heading North on 285 and the next right turn (after the hospital turn offs) are the park and the flume. You can park your car near the flume area or at the park and stroll around. Watch for traffic as they may not notice you and please do not climb the aqueduct.
The park area has a larger parking area, tables and benches, and is nicely manicured so makes for wonderful photos or just a nice picnic area! The area is rumored to be a favorite of really young couples looking for a romantic place to hang out at night.
Written 5 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark J
Cove, TX249 contributions
Oct 2018 • Business
This is a very interesting site. It is free, and there is an awesome park here. Be sure to read all of the historic signs around here.
Written 7 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan K
83 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We stopped by to see the flume -- the roadrunners were an added bonus! Temps were hot so we didn't get out and do much walking. Very interesting piece of local history and for the flume to still be intact and functonal since 1903 speaks volumes! Worth stopping by!
Written 26 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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