RUIDOSO IS AN OFF-THE-RADAR DESTINATION FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING
Wildlife spotting is one of the most sought-after travel activities, and Ruidoso has it in spades, where you can see deer, elk, bears, free-roaming horses, and more.
But remember, everything we do impacts our wild places, from the environment to animal welfare. So, let’s do our part.
LET’S KEEP RUIDOSO WILD
Eco-friendly tips and inspiration.
Protect Ruidoso’s natural beauty by practicing wildfire safety while camping and exploring. Learn essential fire prevention tips before you go, from safe campfire practices to trail precautions. Stay informed, follow local guidelines, and enjoy a safe, responsible outdoor adventure in Ruidoso.
Ruidoso offers a unique experience for watching wildlife with the chance for a responsible wildlife encounter with deer, elk, free-roaming horses, and more. Just remember to keep your distance for your safety and the animals, too—no touching, no feeding, no harassing.
From dazzling night skies to snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests, here are five reasons to make a Ruidoso mountain vacation your next adventure.
Discover Ruidoso's favorite lakes! Bring a picnic, cast for fish, paddle a boat, cycle, horseback ride, or explore on foot via multi-use trails at Grindstone Lake and Alto Lake recreation areas.
Ruidoso’s abundant wildlife is one of its great visitor thrills. Yet it’s important to remember to treat wildlife with proper caution and respect. When you follow safe wildlife watching practices, you protect the health of the wildlife—and yourself. Here are some tips to help you enjoy watching Ruidoso wildlife responsibly.
Discover everything you need to know about Grindstone Lake, one of Ruidoso's most popular recreation areas located just minutes from downtown Ruidoso.
Download these nature apps before your next Ruidoso outdoor vacation. Whether helping you to identify trees, flowers, birds, bugs, and stars, use these handy nature apps to inspire and inform your time outdoors in Ruidoso.
AllTrails.com shares their list of the best trails for wildlife sightings near Ruidoso, according to user reviews and data. See the highlights here.
Hike with your dog. Camp with your cat. Ruidoso loves pets and is the perfect place to explore the great outdoors with your furry family members. Learn the where, what, and how to responsibly enjoy the outdoors with your pets in Ruidoso.
With your help, we can work together to safeguard nature, tackle litter, and give back to this beautiful village that fuels our passions and explorations.
Looking for a place to hike in Ruidoso? AllTrails has 20 great hiking trails, trail running trails, forest trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers.
“If you haven’t heard about the wild horses of Lincoln County…hang onto your saddles…This is the wild side of Ruidoso. Free to roam. Free to graze. Free to romp and frolic. The wild horses of Alto have been a welcome sight for tourists and locals, alike.” - FocusNM.com
Climb Sierra Blanca, hike through alpine meadows, alongside the Rio Ruidoso, explore a forest on horseback? You decide! Thanks to over a million acres of National Forest and wilderness areas, virtually every corner of Ruidoso is waiting to be discovered. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails are plentiful.
There are few better ways to connect with the beauty of the National Forest than on horseback. Discover the places and trails where you can ride your horse in Lincoln National Forest.
Each winter, the lakes in Lincoln County become home to about 20 bald eagles, who arrive in November from Canada, Wyoming and Colorado. - Ruidoso News
Outdoor planning guides.
The Village of Ruidoso is home to the Smokey Bear District of Lincoln National Forest covering a vast 1.1 million acres in southcentral New Mexico, centered in Ruidoso. The forest is home to wilderness, scenic byways, historic sites, and trails to hike, bike, and horseback ride.
Top Outdoor Activities in Ruidoso: Ruidoso is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, offering year-round adventure in the stunning Sierra Blanca Mountains. Whether you crave thrill-seeking experiences or relaxing escapes in nature, you’ll find it here.
• Hit the Trails – Go hiking, biking, or horseback riding through scenic landscapes.
• Experience the Thrill – Try zip lining, the mountain coaster, or off-road adventures.
• Water & Fishing Fun – Enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing in Ruidoso’s lakes.
• Tee Off in the Mountains – Play a round at top-rated golf courses with breathtaking views.
Choose your adventure and explore the best of Ruidoso’s great outdoors!
Wildlife and Ruidoso go hand in hand. From the quiet appearance of the majestic elk and wild horse herds that roam here to the impressive flight of the bald eagle and the entertaining antics of the bears that are frequently seen, here are some of Ruidoso's most amazing wildlife and some tips on where you can safely spot them on your next trip.