Overview
Clovis is a city in the southeastern region of New Mexico, in Curry County, near the Texas state line. It is famous for the nearby archaeological site where "Clovis man" was discovered. It is a military community supporting nearby Cannon Air Force Base.
4 sights · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Clovis
Black Water Draw Museum and Archeology Site
The type site for the Clovis Culture, one of the oldest in North America. Fluted points, stone and bone weapons and tools are displayed at the Blackwater Draw museum on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University in Port…
Hillcrest Park and Zoo
The second largest zoo in the state exhibits hundreds of animals such as reptiles, lemurs, spider monkeys, crocodiles, bears and many more animals. The 22½-acre zoo continues to grow.
Ned Houk Park
A large park that is about 9 miles north of downtown Clovis on the edges of town. This park features several ponds, a museum which features antique farm equipment and farm dwellings from before 1926, and several other at…
Norman Petty Recording Studios
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CVN Clovis Municipal Airport, Clovis — 7 mi away. Directions
- LBB Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, Lubbock — 95 mi away. Directions
- ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 198 mi away (major hub). Directions
Road access is mainly via US 60 and US 70. You can also access Clovis from US 40 to NM 209 South at Tucumcari.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hillcrest Park and Zoo, Ned Houk Park
- Lunch Taco Box
- Afternoon Black Water Draw Museum and Archeology Site, Norman Petty Recording Studios
- Evening Kelly's Bar-Grill & Package Store
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Road access is mainly via US 60 and US 70. You can also access Clovis from US 40 to NM 209 South at Tucumcari.
By plane
Go Clovis Municipal Airport (CVN)
Denver Air Connection with non-stop service to Denver 6 days per week
Get around
Clovis has a limited public transportation system known as C.A.T.S which stands for Clovis Area Transport System. Anywhere within city limits is 50¢. 575-769-7910. (No service Sunday)
Taxi services do not exist.
See
See Black Water Draw Museum and Archeology Site
The type site for the Clovis Culture, one of the oldest in North America. Fluted points, stone and bone weapons and tools are displayed at the Blackwater Draw museum on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, 12 miles south of Clovis on Hwy 70. At the archaeological site, mammoth bones can be viewed in the ground where excavation revealed them. The museum has a small number of artifacts and several interpretive exhibits about Clovis culture itself.
See Norman Petty Recording Studios (Tour the studio in which history was made. Buddy Holly, among others, recorded in this studio hits that made them famous)
Do
- Decent off-road mountain biking exists at the back of Ned Houk Park. Upon entrance to the park, take a right and follow it to the amphitheatre. The trails start beyond the dirt parking lot.
Eat
Drink
Drink Kelly's Bar-Grill & Package Store
If you go to Kellys before 9PM enjoy some country music. If you go after 9PM, enjoy the DJ.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Portales
City / town · 5 listings · 17 mi away
Muleshoe
City / town · 5 listings · 30 mi away
San Jon
City / town · 4 listings · 49 mi away
Glenrio
City / town · 4 listings · 54 mi away
Hereford
City / town · 4 listings · 54 mi away
Fort Sumner
City / town · 1 listings · 59 mi away
Tucumcari
City / town · 33 listings · 60 mi away
Adrian
City / town · 7 listings · 67 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.