Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, NM, near Ruidoso, honors the legacy of Smokey Bear, the iconic symbol of wildfire prevention. The park features indoor and outdoor exhibits on forest health, fire safety, and black bears. Visitors can explore Smokey’s tranquil grave, enjoy a family-friendly playground, and take a stroll through climate zone replicas. Day-use only; service dogs allowed.
Read MoreLincoln, the most widely visited historic site in New Mexico, is part of a community frozen in time—the 1870s and 1880s. The historic site includes 17 structures and outbuildings, four of which are open year-round and two more seasonally as museums.
Read MoreWas it a flying saucer? Was it a weather balloon? What happened? Discover for yourself at the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, an easy day trip from Ruidoso.
Read MoreSome 377 species of birds have been observed on the refuge since 1940. The wetlands attract huge flocks of wintering cranes and geese, the refuge's most exciting features. Many other species—notably waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey—also winter in the refuge. Striking vagrants, such as groove-billed and have been found there.
Read MoreVisitors to this endless waterless sea can enjoy driving, hiking, visiting a museum and sledding down the huge dunes.
Read MoreTo get a quick taste of the diverse landscapes that surround our mountain oasis, start with these day trips from Ruidoso.
Read MoreVisit historic Lincoln, once home to outlaw Billy the Kid and lawman Pat Garrett. on this scenic drive through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest.
Read MoreWhite Oaks is a Lincoln County ghost town just north of Carrizozo that became a boomtown in 1879 following the discovery of gold and coal in the nearby Jicarilla Mountains. Today, there's a small historic museum, a legendary saloon, and the White Oaks Pottery art studio.
Read MoreThe Valley of Fires Recreation Area provides access to the Malpaís, an ancient lava flow, on the east edge of the Carrizozo Malpais about 3 miles west of Carrizozo on U.S. Route 380.
Read MoreThe New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo, New Mexico celebrates the significant role the state of New Mexico has played in the development of the U.S. Space Program.
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