Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is a multi-use natural area that combines outdoor recreational opportunities with wildlife protection and wildlife and nature research. The refuge is centered around a saline lake (appropriately known as Salt Lake), which is occasionally dry, depending on the local rain patterns. It's a nesting ground for ducks, sandhill cranes, and prairie chickens; the chickens can be heard in the spring as far away as Texas. Grulla officially became a wildlife refuge in 1969; “Grulla” translates to “crane” in Spanish. Park your Portales camper rental nearby, and you can use it as a wildlife blind while sitting in comfort. Ned Houk Memorial Park is a cultivated urban park where you can be as relaxed or adventurous as you wish. It's a perfect setting for taking a leisurely stroll, but if you need to work off some energy, there are basketball courts and ball fields, a miniature golf course, an archery range, and much more. You can enjoy a quiet lunch here on the picnic grounds, take a peek at the on-site museums (there are several), and snap some photos of the bison herd as you enter the park. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is essentially a wetland and was confirmed as a refuge in 1937 to provide a habitat for migrating bird species and to protect the native wetlands, which were slowly disappearing at the time. The preserve is centered around the Pecos River and is as stunning for its plant life as it is for the bird species that reside here or pass through. If you happen to be here at dusk, prepare yourself for epic sunsets and make sure you have your camera with you.