Plan Your Ruidoso Getaway

Whether you're the outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, an art-connoisseur or looking for family fun, Ruidoso, New Mexico offers unforgettable experiences for all ages.

From attractions to cultural and historical sites, Ruidoso is the perfect place for travelers for all ages.

Looking for thrills and spills on your Ruidoso adventure? Let loose on one of these action-packed activities, discover year-round downhill adventures at Ski Apache, or enjoy family time at Ruidoso’s alpine lakes.

Start planning your adventure today!

Explore Ruidoso’s Wide Open Spaces

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Find Your Winter Serenity in Ruidoso

Escape to Ruidoso's winter serenity in the Sierra Blanca mountains. Relax with peaceful strolls on snow-covered trails, breathe in crisp air, and enjoy a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride. Rejuvenate with spa treatments that soothe the spirit, and cozy up by the fire as night falls. Surrounded by stunning scenery and local charm, Ruidoso is the ideal mountain retreat for a tranquil winter getaway.

Tee off in Ruidoso

Cool temperatures. Unbelievable scenery. This is the Ruidoso golf experience. With four spectacular Ruidoso area golf courses, each course is situated against breathtaking backdrops with its own personality and landscape. Discover which one is best for you.

Time Your 2025 Stargazing Travels with the Next Meteor Showers in Ruidoso

If seeing stars, constellations, and the Milky Way in the sky is your idea of a perfect vacation, forgo the city in favor of the breathtaking grandeur of the Ruidoso nightscape. To make your stay more memorable, we have put together a list of our top recommended meteor shower dates for the year 2025.

Discover the Beauty of Bonito Lake: Reopen for Fishing on August 30, 2024

Bonito Lake, located just north of Ruidoso, reopened for fishing on August 30, 2024, after a decade of restoration following fire and flood damage. Enjoy a peaceful day of fishing in the scenic Sacramento Mountains. Only fishing is allowed for now to protect ongoing restoration efforts. Visit soon to experience the renewed beauty of Bonito Lake!

Walk-Run-Ride The Links Fitness Trail

Beautiful Sierra Blanca dominates the views on this scenic walk, run, ride paved path that circles the Links at Sierra Blanca Golf Course in the heart of Ruidoso. The Links trail is 3-mile loop that provides outdoor exercise that dogs, kids and adults will enjoy.

Exciting New Moon Mountain Trails Now Open

The Village of Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department announces opening five new miles of trails on Moon Mountain. These trails are designed for moderate difficulty and are perfect for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian riders. Enjoy stunning vistas and local wildlife, such as turkeys, deer, and elk. Access is off Gavilan Canyon Road by Warrior Drive. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, bring snacks, and respect the environment.

Blooms and Bliss: Plan Your Ruidoso Wildflower Adventure

Nestled within the majestic Sierra Blanca range, Ruidoso bursts into a riot of colors as spring and summer roll around, turning its trails and meadows into vibrant canvases of wildflowers. Eager to immerse yourself in this floral extravaganza? Let this guide be your ticket to the best wildflower sightseeing adventures in Ruidoso.

Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake (Seasonal, Summer only).

Don’t miss Ruidoso’s unique attraction, the Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake, a floating, inflatable platform perfect for family fun, birthday parties, and special events. Open in summer only (Memorial Day to Labor Day Monday). Check the Parks and Recreation Facebook page for any weather-related announcements or changes in hours.

Ruidoso in Autumn: Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Foliage Adventures

Discover Ruidoso's vibrant autumn with our fall foliage guide. Explore top spots like Alto Lake, Grindstone Lake, Lincoln National Forest, and Ski Run Road. Enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and more amidst stunning fall colors. Visit during peak season from mid-September to late October, and don't miss local events like AspenFest and Oktoberfest.

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Discover Things to Do with Kids in Ruidoso

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Ruidoso Winter Adventure: The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Family Itinerary

Experience a magical family winter getaway in Ruidoso, NM! This kid-friendly itinerary is packed with snowy adventures, festive lights, and cozy dining—from tubing and ice skating to exploring historic sites. Get ready for unforgettable family fun in this charming mountain town!

Thrills Await on the Mountain Coaster and Tubing in Ruidoso!

Experience the thrill of the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster and Tubing in Ruidoso! Ride New Mexico’s only Mountain Coaster with 5100 feet of waves, dips, and a 360-degree helix. Enjoy high-speed fun with state-of-the-art safety features. For winter excitement, try the tubing hill with magic carpet lifts and thrilling downhill rides. Perfect for family fun and adventure seekers of all ages!

Fantasy fairies hide along the pathway in Ruidoso Parks (Seasonal, April - September)

Fantasy fairies hide along the pathway at Ruidoso's Two Rivers Park and Wingfield Park. Magic wands, tiny houses, and whimsical fairies add fun for the young. Visitors may be startled when walking along village park trails to see a trout jumping out of the water and riding on his back, the smallest of the fairy folk.

Eat. Drink. Play. Get your game on at the Ruidoso Bowling Center.

With 10 bowling lanes, 4 pool tables, dartboards, arcade games, a restaurant, and a lounge for parties and events, the Ruidoso Bowling Center is a fun, year-round, family-friendly entertainment destination where everybody gets to play.

Pillow’s Funtrackers: Fun for the entire family

Pillow’s Funtrackers in Ruidoso is a great place for family entertainment and family outings. At Funtrackers you'll find fun for all ages at this family-favorite Ruidoso amusement park offering 3 go-kart tracks, 18-hole mini-golf, bumper boats, a maze, and arcade games.

Grindstone Family Fun Park

This family-focused entertainment venue offers a petting zoo, tractor rides, giant slide, tunnel, picnic area, and a bounce house. Located at 525 Resort Drive near Disc Golf Course and Grindstone Lake.

Kid-Favorites in Ruidoso

Kids of all ages will have plenty of family fun in Ruidoso. Many area attractions, such as hiking, fishing, swimming, and skiing, are perfect for the entire family. Plan the perfect family vacation with these fun kid-friendly trip ideas.

Top 10 Things To Do With Kids In Ruidoso by Explorer Momma

Explorer Momma, Lauren Gonikishvili, shares insider tips for planning a family-friendly Ruidoso getaway.

Family Time in Ruidoso

The best Ruidoso family vacations begin with carefree moments that last a lifetime and inspire you to return again and again.

White Sands National Park

Visitors to this endless waterless sea can enjoy driving, hiking, visiting a museum and sledding down the huge dunes.

Tips for Camping with Kids

Use these tips to get on your way camping with the entire family and create camping memories now.

IN THE PRESS: Geocaching takes off in Ruidoso

"Ever want to be an explorer? Perhaps a treasure hunter, but the idea of lugging a metal detector around seems like too much work? Geocaching, a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants in the activity, may be for you." - Ruidoso News

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Discover the Story of the American West

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Feb 1, 2025

Wingfield Heritage House Museum: A Journey Through Ruidoso’s History

Feb 1, 2025

Discover Ruidoso’s rich history at the newly opened Wingfield Heritage House Museum at 2813 Sudderth Drive. Opened on October 17, 2024, this beautifully restored 1920s gem, originally built by Ike and Lula Wingfield, offers engaging exhibits on the family’s legacy, ancient cultures, and the town's evolution. Visitors are invited to explore, connect, and contribute to preserving Ruidoso’s vibrant heritage.

Feb 1, 2025

Mar 3, 2024

Lincoln State Historic Site

Mar 3, 2024

Lincoln, 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.

Mar 3, 2024

Aug 3, 2023

Lincoln County History and Heritage: An immersive 3-Day Ruidoso trip itinerary

Aug 3, 2023

Discover Lincoln County, New Mexico – a region steeped in rich history and vibrant heritage. Embark on a captivating three-day trip itinerary based in Ruidoso, where the spirit of the American West comes alive.

Aug 3, 2023

May 24, 2022

Fort Stanton State Historic Site

May 24, 2022

The Fort Stanton State Historic Site is a must-see historic attraction when visiting Lincoln County. Few sites in the nation encompass the breadth of history seen at the Fort.

May 24, 2022

Feb 5, 2022

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Feb 5, 2022

Established in 1873 by presidential order, the Mescalero Apache reservation covers 720 square miles of land adjacent to the Village of Ruidoso. The Mescalero Apache Tribe owns and operates both Ski Apache Ski Resort and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino as well as other Reservation-based enterprises.

Feb 5, 2022

May 2, 2018

Billy The Kid National Scenic Byway

May 2, 2018

Visit 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.

May 2, 2018

Mar 23, 2017

White Oaks Ghost Town

Mar 23, 2017

White 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.

Mar 23, 2017

Feb 8, 2017

No Scum Allowed Saloon

Feb 8, 2017

Located in White Oaks, once a booming gold mining town, the No Scum Allowed Saloon is one of the best cowboy bars in America. The saloon atmosphere is good old-fashioned country: open and friendly, with good music and cold beer at the ready.

Feb 8, 2017

Jan 11, 2017

New Mexico Museum of Space History

Jan 11, 2017

The 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.

Jan 11, 2017

Nov 8, 2016

Smokey Bear Historical Park

Nov 8, 2016

In 1950, Smokey was an orphaned little bear cub with burned paws, found in the aftermath of the Capitan Gap wildfire. Smokey Bear rose to fame as an icon for forest fire prevention and he lived in Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo for 26 years. When he passed away, the famous black bear was laid to rest in his hometown of Capitan, NM.

Nov 8, 2016

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Plan Using our Seasonal Trip Guides

Winter Trip Ideas

From downhill excitement at Ski Apache and the tubing runs of Ruidoso Winter Park to horse-drawn sleigh rides through Upper Canyon, discover the most amazing places for a Ruidoso winter getaway.

Summer Trip Ideas

We’ve compiled our best Ruidoso summer vacation ideas—all our top attractions, best food, cultural happenings, most memorable activities – and popular summer events are worth traveling for. Meet the locals, find the best deals, learn how to get here, and find accommodations.

Spring Break Trip Ideas

Plan a Spring Break in the Mountains. Discover the most amazing ways to enjoy a Ruidoso spring break. We’ve compiled our best vacation ideas for a mountain village spring break trip.

Plan A Ruidoso Fall Getaway

From autumn colors to empty trails, there are plenty of reasons why fall is a great time for a Ruidoso vacation.

Get Inspired by Ruidoso Travel Videos

Featured

Mar 28, 2019

Summer in Ruidoso, New Mexico

Mar 28, 2019

The mountains are calling. Start planning your summer vacation in Ruidoso, New Mexico: discoverruidoso.com

Mar 28, 2019

Aug 6, 2018

VIDEO: OHV fun with Back Country Attitudes

Aug 6, 2018

Have you checked out Ruidoso's newest outdoor adventure outfitter?! Back Country Attitudes will take you on 80 miles of trails during this 4-hour white-knuckle adventure that will leave you with a dusty smile from ear to ear.

Aug 6, 2018

Jul 11, 2019

VIDEO: Wind Rider Zip Line at Ski Apache.

Jul 11, 2019

The world famous Wind Rider Zip Line at Ski Apache.

Jul 11, 2019

Jun 6, 2019

VIDEO: Grindstone Disc Golf Course

Jun 6, 2019

Aug 6, 2018

VIDEO: Ruidoso Outdoor Recreation

Aug 6, 2018

Discover mountain biking, trails, fishing and other year-round outdoor recreation activities in and around Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Aug 6, 2018

Sep 26, 2018

VIDEO - All American Country Music Festival 2018: Day One Recap

Sep 26, 2018

If you missed the first annual All American Country Music Festival at Wingfield Park in Ruidoso, New Mexico here's a quick recap of the night featuring knock out performances by Walker McGuire and Josh Abbott Band. LANCO headlined day 2! discoverruidoso.com

Sep 26, 2018

Oct 22, 2018

VIDEO: Fall into Ruidoso

Oct 22, 2018

The leaves are changing. There's the smell of green chiles roasting in the air. The air is turning colder. Come take a drive up Ski Run Road in Ruidoso, New Mexico with us.

Oct 22, 2018