South of the boat dock is the Municipal Beach Park, where picnic tables and lots of shade trees provide an excellent place for family outings. The park is a staging area for many annual activities and parades in Carlsbad, as well as a perfect vantage point to watch the spectacular July 4th fireworks display held annually during Western Week. The park is also home port to paddle boats. Paddle boats that seat up to five people are available weekdays 2pm til 7pm and weekends 12 til dusk. The park features boat ramps and a swimming area complete with a sandy beach.
Lifeguards are on duty when swimming is permitted.
On the east side of the river is the Riverwalk Recreation Center, where indoor sports activities, video games, pool tables and concessions are offered. The Pecos River Village is the staging area for the very popular Christmas on the Pecos . The 40-minute ride includes a tour talk with historical facts about the boat and the river area given by the captain. The boat leaves the beach area dock every hour from 1pm to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday and once on weekdays leaving around 5 or 6pm. Carlsbad Cruise Lines also has a new tour starting the summer of 2001 called the Flume Tour.