 |
Regional Recreation |
Regional Recreation
La Luz
La Luz, four miles northeast of Alamogordo, is the oldest settlement in the Tularosa Basin. Founded in 1705 by the Spanish, it is now a quiet plaza surrounded by a few old adobe buildings, homes and artist studios, including a cooperative art gallery. |
 |
Tularosa
Tularosa, 13 miles north of Alamogordo, is a village that has successfully merged the new and the old. Granado Street has shops in the original buildings where you will find Southwestern, Native American, Antiques, Jewelry and Gift Items of all kinds. St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church was built as a fulfillment of promises made by the citizens of Tularosa when they defeated the Apaches at the "Battle of Round Mountain" which took place on April 17, 1868. |
|
Lincoln National Forest
The Sacramento Mountains and the 1,103,441-acre Lincoln National Forest border Alamogordo on the east. Elevations of 4,000 to 11,500 feet pass through five different life zones from Chihuahuan desert to sub-alpine forest. Vegetation ranges from rare cacti in the lower elevations to blue spruce in the highest areas. All areas of Lincoln National Forest not reserved for specific use are available for a wide variety of recreational activities including picnicking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, trail bike riding, sightseeing, fishing, hunting, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. |
|
Cloudcroft
Established in 1898, Cloudcroft (18 miles east of Alamogordo) is a place to cool off in the summer and ski in the winter (at Ski Cloudcroft). The downtown business district offers a unique western motif boardwalk with a variety of retail shops, art studios, and cafes. The historic Lodge Hotel was constructed in 1899 and still is in use.
Surrounded by more than one million acres of Lincoln National Forest, Cloudcroft has one of the highest golf courses; southern-most ski areas in North America and miles of trails for hiking, biking and sight seeing. At the lofty elevation of 9,000 feet, Cloudcroft's climate is tempered by its southern location. The natural beauty of four distinct seasons inspires visitors to enjoy an abundance of year-round activities.
|
|
Sacramento Peak, Sunspot, New Mexico
Apache Point Observatory - http://www.apo.nmsu.edu/
2001 Apache Point Road
P.O. Box 59
Sunspot, New Mexico 88349-0059
575-437-6822
E-Mail: gretchen@apo.nmsu.edu
National Solar Observatory
National Solar Observatry/SP
P.O. Box 62
Sunspot, New Mexico 88349-0062
575-434-7000
E-Mail: sp@nso.edu
Located in the mountains 18 miles south of Cloudcroft are two observatories. The National Solar Observatory searches the sky by day, and the Apache Point Observatory searches the sky by night. The two facilities together provide some 70 jobs.
The National Solar Observatory is used for solar research and is managed by the National Science Foundation. The Apache Point Observatory, managed by New Mexico State University, consists of a 3.5-meter telescope and three future sites that are under construction. Apache Point was chosen as the site for its altitude and clear weather. At 9200 feet, the atmosphere above the observatory contains little water vapor or contaminants that degrade images. Otero County's night sky at Apache Point Observatory is among the darkest in the United States. The observatory is open to visitors during daylight hours.
|
|
Mescalero Apache Reservation
The Mescalero Apache Reservation is 460,000 acres of pine forest and mountain range near Ruidoso. The Apaches operate the large Inn of the Mountain Gods resort complete with a lake and golf course. Camping, hunting, fishing and a casino are available for visitors' entertainment. |
|
Valley of Fires Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages the Valley of Fires Recreation Area. Located four miles northwest of Carrizozo, New Mexico, on U. S. Highway 380, Valley of Fires offers both camping and day use. The 3/4 mile-long Malpais Nature Trail provides a close-up look at the lava surface. This is the most recent lava flow in the Continental U. S. The flow is 44 miles long, and scientists estimate it to be 1500 to 2000 years old. |
|
Ruidoso & Lincoln County
Some fifty miles northeast of Alamogordo is the vacation community of Ruidoso. Located in the Sacramento Mountains, Ruidoso offers a wide variety of attractions and enjoys visitors from throughout the Southwest. Ruidoso Downs Race Track features quarter horse and thoroughbred racing from May through September. A major event is the world's richest horse race, the All-American Futurity. The Museum of the Horse near Ruidoso Downs Race Track was named New Mexico's "Best Destination" in 1993. The museum houses a vast array of saddles, carriages, wagons, Indian artifacts and fine art, a total collection of over 10,000 artifacts. |
|
Ski Apache
Ski Apache is the United State's southern most ski area and the second largest in New Mexico. It boasts the largest lift capacity in the State of New Mexico. Ski Apache is owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The ski season starts each November on Thanksgiving and goes through Easter. Sierra Blanca Peak has an elevation of 12,003 feet.
Website: http://www.skiapache.com/ |
| |
Historic Town of Lincoln
During 1878 and 1879, the citizens of Lincoln experienced a full-fledged war between two opposing merchants. Known as the Lincoln County War, this conflict brought notoriety to a young gunslinger -- Billy the Kid. Now in the 1990s, Old Lincoln, through careful preservation and restoration, has emerged as a visible reminder of the past. Within the town limits, there are 11 state monuments including four museums. The town's museums pay tribute to the Lincoln County War, Mescalero Apache Indians, Buffalo Soldiers and of course, Billy the Kid. |
|
|
|
