Hiking

Fishing Hunting / Riding Hubbard Museum Historical Park

Lincoln National Forest offers an extensive trail system that is easily navigated by hikers and horseback riders. Most of the trails tie into the crest Trail #25 which runs southwest from Monjeau Lookout to Ski Apache ski area and then north to Nogal Canyon. Coming from lower altitudes, hikers should allow a day or two to acclimate before attempting strenuous hikes with packs. Check in at the Smokey Bear Ranger Station in Ruidoso.

Mountain Biking. The trails in and around Ruidoso are perfect for the avid mountain biker. Discover the beautiful Upper Canyon or ride the expansive Fort Stanton mesa and miles of scenic trails in Lincoln National Forest with bike rental available.

Fishing. A cornucopia of fishing opportunities exists in the beautiful Ruidoso area. For the avid angler, local streams and lakes are stocked with rainbow trout. State and Federal fishing waters include Alto Lake, Bonito Lake, Carrizo Creek, Eagle Creek, Grindstone Lake, Rio Ruidoso, and Tularosa Creek. Mescalero Reservation fishing waters include Mescalero Lake, Eagle Lake, Rio Ruidoso, and Silver Lake. Flowing below the majestic Sierra Blanca Peak, the pristine waters within White Mountain Wilderness is an angler’s heaven. Some favorite fishing holes include

• Seeping Springs Trout Lakes. No license is required for the whole family to enjoy fishing at Seeping Springs. Located 4 miles east of the Hotel, poles, bait and paddle boats are available. Call 505-378-4216.


• Bonito Lake. This gorgeous lake north of Ruidoso features excellent fishing, camping and hiking. A New Mexico Fishing License is required to fish here.


• Grindstone Lake. Located minutes from midtown Ruidoso, Grindstone Lake offers year-round fishing and boating, and is an excellent trout fishing spot. A New Mexico Fishing License is required to fish here.  [Top]

Hunting. Lincoln National Forest offers one million acres of hunting enjoyment and big game, such as deer, elk, bear and turkey. Hunting seasons vary with type of game, fowl and weapon (bow, muzzle loader). For guided hunts, the Mescalero Apache Reservation (505-464-9770) offers Mescalero Big Game Hunts. At Pancho Peaks Ranch (505-653-4505), only 45 minutes from Ruidoso, 11,000 acres of controlled hunting is offered. A New Mexico State game license/wildlife stamp is required.

Horseback Riding. Enjoy a variety of horseback riding adventures in the Ruidoso area - from 1-hour rides through the pines around the edge of town to full-day excursions into the wilderness areas of the Lincoln National Forest.. Half-day and full-day rides into the wilderness provide opportunities to see the magnificent backcountry. Call Cowboy’s Stables near the hotel at 505-378-8217.  [Top]

Hubbard Museum of the American West. Hubbard Museum of the American West is one of the most respected museums in New Mexico, housing an extensive permanent collection of Western art and artifacts and traveling shows and activities. Affiliated with the Smithsonian in Washington D.C, Hubbard Museum houses the Museum of the Horse, featuring a magnificent collection of carriages, wagons, saddles, fine art and Indian artifacts, highlighting the horse in the American West. The Museum is also features a kid’s corral, hands-on exhibits and the Ruidoso Downs Race Horse Hall of Fame. "Free Spirits at Noisy Water," a bronze installation of seven larger-than-life horses, graces the entrance. Visit www.hubbardmuseum.org.

Dowlin’s Historic Old Mill. Reputed to be a hangout of Billy the Kid, Dowlin’s Mill is the oldest building in Ruidoso, and still has a working flower mill run by a water wheel. Call 505-257-2811.  [Top]

Smokey Bear Historical Park & Museum. The Museum highlights the history of Smokey Bear and the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention program, including articles and photos of the Capitan Gap Fire where Smokey Bear was found and displays of the earliest fire prevention posters. Exhibits about firefighting personnel, equipment and methods explain the natural role of fire in the environment. The outside exhibit area features a walking tour through six vegetative life zones and indigenous New Mexico plant life. Call 505-354-2748.

Fort Stanton Museum. Learn about the role that Fort Stanton played in the settling of the West. Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM Thursday through Monday. Call 505-630-0044.

New Mexico Museum of Space History. The New Mexico Museum of Space History highlights New Mexico’s significant role in the development, science, and technology of the U.S. Space Program through significant artifacts relevant to space history. The Museum of Space History contains exhibitions from early rocket experiments near Roswell to a mock-up of the International Space Station. The Museum features the International Space Hall of Fame, which commemorates humanity's exploration of space, Stapp Air & Space Park, which displays the Apollo program's Little Joe II rocket, Tombaugh IMAX Theater and Planetarium, the Astronaut Memorial Garden, and the summer Shuttle Camp.  [Top]