They saved paradise and put up a petting zoo

By Kyle Marksteiner
Article Launched: 06/04/2007 09:20:53 PM MDT

What makes a good impression on tourists? The answer probably depends on how old you are.
I toured Carlsbad Caverns National Park when I was a little kid, and I very clearly remember two things about the trip.

I thought it was pretty cool that there was a cafeteria underground.
The shooting gallery in White's City was awesome.

Were I a kid today, in more than just spirit, I'm pretty sure Carlsbad RV Park and Campground would have made the biggest lasting impression.

The campground, located on National Parks Highway, is sort of a paradise for kids. Owners Jim and
Mary Crozier have really transformed the facility into a great spot, as I discovered recently during a tour.

The campground's store alone features a pair of chameleons that come and go inside their tanks; a talking deer head the ice cream below is all "under a buck" and a pretty impressive collection of magic tricks for sale.

The Croziers have a room of puzzles on display that previous guests have completed. There's a nice arcade connected to the shop and an adjacent dining hall.

"We have ice cream socials in there, and we'll show movies on the big screen," Jim Crozier said.

During their three years of owning the facility in Carlsbad, the Croziers have seen tourists from around the globe. They've also had some very large groups of visitors.

"We had a group from Houston that brought 75 kids in the first wave and 90 in the second," he said. "A lot of our visitors are people who come to visit the Caverns. Usually if they come for one night we can get them to stay two or three and visit Sitting Bull Falls or the Living Desert."

Other residents at the campground are staying for a month or two.

Outside, the facility includes a large area for RVs, an area for tents and a few cabins. There's a large outdoor playground. Crozier has plans to expand the tent camping area.

Some guests even add to the decorations. There's a large mural near the fire pit that one guest painted, while another visitor created a large pipeline decoration near the entrance.

The Croziers have an indoor pool. The pool is currently just for people staying at the campground, but you can rent a tent site for the evening if you want to use the facility.

Across from the pool is a giant fire pit. "It's a big thing on Friday and Saturday night," Crozier said. "The long-termers will come out and roast marshmallows."

The trees around the fire pit have eyes, literally. Check it out.

Oh yeah, and there're also miniature ponies, pygmy goats and turtles at the campground. It's a busy place.

The Croziers aren't the only campground in town. They own another facility, and there's another campground off the Pecos River on Greene Street that Crozier praised.

"Then there's the KOA," Crozier noted, and then smiled. "That's an awesome place. Thank God it's 20 miles north of me."

Since most of you already live in Carlsbad, you are probably wondering why I'm telling you about a campground in town. For one thing, it's nice to know that there's such a neat place for our tourists. For another, renting a cabin or two and enjoying all the cool stuff might make for a nice birthday party.

"We've having a good time out here," Crozier said. "If we're having a good time, it is infectious."
Crozier said his busy season starts at around spring break. A lot of grandparents will visit the campground with their grandchildren, and the kids will have a blast.

"It's a little slower this year than it was last year," he said. "Part of the problem is the gas prices. But that also keeps people in place that are here."

Best of all, everything looked to be clean and in good condition. The Croziers seem to have worked hard to keep their facility looking lively. To learn more about the Carlsbad RV Park and Campground visit http://www.carlsbadrvpark.com/ or call 885-6333.

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