Day Trips Information

Ruidoso is the perfect place to stay while you explore some of the great attractions found within the region. We’ve listed some of our favorite “Day Trip” suggestions below. Enjoy!

Day Trip 1 - Hondo Valley, Lincoln, Capitan, Carrizozo, White Oaks, Valley of Fires:

Traveling east from Ruidoso on Hwy. 70, the beautiful Hondo Valley provides visitors with a scenic drive through a peaceful, pastoral valley. Fruit stands along the highway are stocked with country grown fruits in season. At Hwy. 380, head northwest to Lincoln. In Lincoln, the main street consists of old buildings directly related to the Lincoln County Wars and the legendary outlaw, Billy the Kid. Take a stroll down the main streets and see the Tunstall Museum, a general store furnished in period, the 1887 Mission of San Juan, the home of Dr. Earl Woods, the Lincoln County Courthouse, and don't miss the Visitor's Center and Museum of Historic Lincoln. Call 1-800-263-5929, or 575-378-4142, for tour info. Located between Ft. Stanton and Lincoln, the Ozanne Stagecoach trail takes you through some of New Mexico’s most colorful history. Enjoy the Lincoln County Overland Stage Company’s fast paced exciting ride on the Concord Stage replica. Call 575-653-4954. In Capitan, the Smokey Bear Historical Park has a visitor center dedicated to the education of forest fire prevention and is also the site of the tomb of Smokey Bear. Phone: (575) 354-2748. Carrizozo is located at the junction of US Hwys. 380 & 54. North of US Hwy. 54, is White Oaks, once a gold mining town in the late 1800s. Group tours of the Old School House Museum and cemetery may be arranged. (575) 648-2521. Also visit “ My House of Old Things” a museum housed in the Old Ancho Depot, 20 miles north on Hwy. 54. You will find nine rooms full of Indian artifacts, antiques, old pictures, etc. The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is located 4 miles West of Carrizozo. The youngest lava flow in the state is referred to as Malpais, translated as bad lands. There are nature trails and camping. (575) 648-2241.

Day Trip 2 - Mescalero, Tularosa, Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, Eagle Ranch Pistachio Groves:

Mescalero, west of Ruidoso, is the heart of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. The Mescalero Fish Hatchery, 8 miles from Ruidoso, was established in 1965. The hatchery supplies game fish to Native American waterways, and has displays of fish & culture info. (575) 464-4401. The Mescalero Cultural Center has exhibits of baskets, clothing and photographs from the Apache culture. (575) 464-4494, ext. 254. Round Mountain can be seen on the south side of Hwy. 70 coming out of the Sacramento Mountains. The cross on top of Round Mountain was placed there by Tularosa villagers in remembrance of those who fought at the battle of Round Mountain in 1868. The Tularosa Museum has artifacts and historical accounts of those who lived in the Tularosa area. For tours call (575) 585-2057. The Tularosa Vineyards, approximately 2 miles North of Tularosa, grow several varieties of grapes from which they make their wines, including the Mission grape brought to the area by the original settlers. Tours, tasting and sales. (575) 585-2260, 1-(800) 687-4467. Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is about 23 miles North of Tularosa on Hwy. 54. A trail beginning at the visitor's shelter winds through piles of rocks decorated with thousands of drawings carved in the rocks by the Jornada Mongollon Indians as far back as 1,000 years ago. There is also an ancient dwelling site and a picnic and camping area. (575) 525-4300. Eagle Ranch Pistachios Groves and Visitor Center, approximately 5 ½ miles south of Tularosa, has a gift shop featuring pistachio nut products, NM wine, homemade treats, local crafts, and unique southwestern gifts. Visit the Art Gallery, Coffee shop, and ask about tours. (575) 434-0035.