Place guide
Cowboy Ruckus Statue
Two 18-foot cowboys face off across U.S. 285, a tribute to the friendly rivalry between two local rancher brothers.
📍GPS: 34.344605, -104.970314
Cowboy Ruckus is a quirky roadside art installation along U.S. 285 between Roswell and Vaughn. Created by muralist John Cerney in 2019, the two 18-foot-tall cutout cowboys depict rancher brothers Mike and Mark Marley locked in an argument from both sides of the highway. It is a quick stop that perfectly fits eastern New Mexico’s mix of ranching culture, open landscapes, and oddball roadside attractions.
Nearby places
Roswell UFO Crash Site
The remote ranch land near Roswell where Mac Brazel discovered unusual debris in July 1947.
Sumner Lake State Park
A warm-water reservoir on the Pecos River popular for boating, water skiing, and bass fishing.
Roswell
Famous worldwide for its 1947 UFO incident, now a quirky destination full of alien-themed attractions.