Lincoln, Otero and Chaves Counties are located within this patchwork of national forests, monuments and historic areas in Southeastern New Mexico. White Sands National Monument stretches some 275 miles across the Tularosa Basin forming the largest gypsum dune field in the world. Cloudcroft sits at the top of the Lincoln County National Forest and is home to many amateur astronomers and is within miles of Apache Point Observatory in Sunspot, NM. Ruidoso is famous for its quarter-horse race track at Ruidoso Downs, open during the summer months, and also the luxury hotel, Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino and Resort, located on the Mescalero Apache reservation. Winter brings snow to the community and Sierra Blanca Ski Apache comes to life with plenty of gorgeous trails. All year long there are special events, art shows, motorcycle rallies and car shows, a Cowboy Symposium, great concerts at the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, and of course some of the best weather in the west.
Everyone has heard of Roswell, NM, due to the infamous crash and cover-up of an alien craft in 1947. Everything you ever wanted to know about that event can be unearthed at the Roswell UFO Museum where the story continues to fascinate millions of visitors each year.
The legend of Pat Garret and Billy the Kid lives on in these mountains and valleys. The rich heritage of the Mescalero Apaches and the last Indian Wars are found here. Fort Stanton Museum, Valley of Fires, The Hubbard Museum of the American West; all this and so much more awaits the visitor to our corner of paradise. Camping, hiking, horsebackriding, gaming, wining and dining, skiing, snowboarding, bicycling, hunting, and just plain doing nothing but enjoying the clear blue skies and clean air are favorite activities. Discover our friendly people and gorgeous land.
