If you're planning a road trip from Denver to Ruidoso, here’s how to get here and some ideas of what to see and do along the way. 

HOW TO GET HERE

WHAT TO SEE ALONG THE WAY

Garden of the Gods Park:

The 300 million years of geological history of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs reveal one of the most extensive pictures of earth history found anywhere in the United States. It is a true geological wonder.

Pikes Peak:

Get Pikes Peak tickets and take a trip to the summit to experience one of the best Colorado Springs attractions. In fact, it is one of the coolest things to do in Colorado, period. The safe and scenic Pikes Peak Highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy 19 miles of mountain terrain, with frequent pull-offs for you to get out, stretch your legs, and take photos.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

A sandbox of epic proportions, the entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles and the tallest dune towers 750 feet high. The kid in every visitor loves to sled down the sand year-round and plunge into the soft-sand tracks of those who climbed ahead of them. Aside from the dunes, you'll find picnicking, hiking and camping opportunities, the challenging four-wheel scenic drive on Medano Pass, horseback-riding trails, the mysteriously appearing and disappearing Medano Creek, ranger-led nature walks and a couple of 14,000- and 13,000-foot peaks to climb (Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak, Cleveland Peak and Mount Herard).

Santa Rosa Blue Hole

Blue Hole appears in the midst of the arid high mesas like a great blue gem. This geological wonder defines Santa Rosa even as it seems to defy the surrounding red mesas. Not just for drivers wanting to get out of the fast lane or divers to get on down, it's also listed as one of the top 10 au natural swimming holes in the U.S. Santa Rosa is located 114 miles east of Albuquerque on I40 and 170 miles west of Amarillo on I-40.

White Oaks, New Mexico

White Oaks isn't a big dot on the map, and it really isn't on the way to anywhere else. But as Michael and the True Crew discovered it is well worth the detour, if only to hear the great stories told in the town's delightful saloon.

Carrizozo, New Mexico

A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true, Carrizozo is at a crossroads both literally and developmentally. The small New Mexico town has long served as a hub for travelers heading to places like White Sands, Lincoln, Ruidoso and Roswell. In recent years this relatively quiet rural community has also started making some noise in the art world.

Welcome to Ruidoso!

There’s something for everyone here. Use our Ruidoso Travel Guide to find things to do, events, experiences, places to stay, restaurants, trip ideas, and outdoor activities.