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Smokey Bear Historical Park

4.6 (11 reviews)
Open 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

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Smokey Bear
Lance S.

This is a great little park to learn the history of Smokey Bear and see his final resting place. There is a small entrance fee (I think $2 each for adults- my 14 yo was an adult). There is a small museum area with lots of history' and memorabilia. There is also a short film shown every little bit. Then there is a nice walkway with some local plants that all lead to Smokey's grave. There is also a shop next door, but was closed despite the hours posted saying otherwise. The park ranger informed us it was run by the locals in Capitan so the hours are hard to cover at times. A fun stop, and if you're hungry make sure you go across the street and eat at Oso Grill!

Entrance
Manda C.

The Smokey Bear Historical Site is an indoor museum that opens at 9am with all things related to Smokey Bear history, wildfires and forest health. It's a $2 entry fee for ages 13 and older, $1 for younger. There is an outdoor site and at the end of the path a museum/gift shop. Capitan is a tiny town that's a nice escape to visit. This historical site is both sweet and educational and I've always felt it was a good family stop and would make a good field trip. From the outdoor parking lot, the historical site is on your left, a separate entrance to the museum/gift shop is on the right. Inside there is a 10 minute video and a lot of historical memorabilia as well as a sobering hall to learn about the dangers of wildfires. The only thing I found inaccurate was a small sign on an old candy machine that said "ancient" when it was from 1990. :) Outdoors is where it's really impressive. The path is well built and sturdy and goes around this small park. It juts out to the side allowing people to read signs on the different plant life without creating a bottleneck effect. The burial site of the original Smokey is in the left corner with a nice waterfall and bridge leading to several placards. They added another memorial site this summer to fallen firefighters that was tastefully done. There are several benches scattered throughout, a surprise Smokey standing there and I saw a platform with many benches a short distance from the path, which would be ideal for presentations. It's a reasonable price to learn some Smokey history, about local plant life and fire prevention. The exit gives you the option to enter the gift shop which is half museum goodies in glass cases and half souvenirs you find at ranger stations. They also have a penny press with Smokey specific images. This is always a great stop on a road trip. Check it out!

Before entering the park - the v-notch in the mountains is where a burned, orphaned bear cub was found clinging to a tree.
Barbara S.

Very well presented information along with lots of memorabilia, which took some of us down memory lane! Information video is a must to get the full understanding of the impetus behind the fire prevention program, and how Smokey ended up being the 'spokesbear.' He has become the quintessential symbol of forest fire prevention, and remains so to this day, years after his passing. The Park has a short walking loop path through 5 different vegetation zones, but the highlight is Smokey's final resting place. A new statue honoring fallen fire fighters was recently unveiled. Very friendly staff and very interesting information. Definitely recommend.

Smokey's resting place

Such a neat little place. We were driving through Capitan towards Dallas, so unfortunately we had very little time to truly enjoy it and pay Smokey The Bear's resting place its proper respect, but we did go through the museum and park pretty quickly and it was very impressive. A sea of Smokey The Bear memorabilia awaits you, along with numerous other exhibits and a very tasteful and beautiful park outside. The woman at the front desk (I didn't catch her name) was so nice as well. I hope to someday go back when I'm in the area so I can enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed. But if you are in the area, it is a must that you stop and see Smokey The Bear and his final resting place.

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4 months ago

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8 months ago

Sweet Little Park, that is a walkable distance from just about everything in Capitan. Come for a visit and see Smokey's final resting place!

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.' He has become the quintessential symbol of forest fire prevention, and remains so to this day, years after his passin

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International UFO Museum & Research Center - Outside of museum, plenty of parking in street and free lot on the left

International UFO Museum & Research Center

3.7(486 reviews)
61.5 mi

I'll start by saying I do not believe in aliens. I do not believe in conspiracy theories. Yet I am…read moreobsessed with aliens and UFO's. As soon as we decided to come to New Mexico - I knew I had to come Roswell to the UFO museum. Since I am a bit obsessed with the Roswell incident. You know the weather balloon crash. So I get in the museum and I start reading everything and listening to all the testimony. And I actually started to believe that it wasn't a weather balloon. Until I read the statement from the funeral parlor director. Supposedly the army officers requested 4' caskets. Really - aliens? And your big concern is the size of the casket? They can't go in a regular size one?? Besides we all know that the aliens get stored in the lab at Area 51. In glass jars.

I was in town visiting family and of course I had to check the UFO museum out! Everything in…read moreRoswell is super cheap if you're from CA. So the $7 entrance fee was a super deal! All you have to do is be curious to come here. They have everything on display chronologically, some interesting visual displays, and it's a self guided with lots of captivating stories and tangible materials as it relates to the existence of aliens and UFO's. I went through here in about an hour. It would take you much longer if you read everything on display. Lots of the stories on the timeline are fascinating. I thought it was well put together and should be thrilling for the alien enthusiasts. After checking out all the museum displays, there's a decent sized gift shop offering various types of merchandise. I got a cool fridge magnet as a souvenir for visiting this infamous museum. If you ever come to Roswell, whether you are into or believe in aliens, you have to visit the UFO Museum. It represents what Roswell is known for, and it's just an overall interesting experience with everything chronologically displayed nicely.

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International UFO Museum & Research Center - I think these creepy paintings are from the Barney and Betty Hill case

I think these creepy paintings are from the Barney and Betty Hill case

International UFO Museum & Research Center - International UFO Museum & Research Center

International UFO Museum & Research Center

International UFO Museum & Research Center - International UFO Museum & Research Center

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International UFO Museum & Research Center

Smokey Bear Historical Park - parks - Updated June 2026

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