Spend some time at altitude.
Whether you're the outdoorsy type, a foodie, an art-connoisseur or someone who loves to dabble in it all, there's something for everyone in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where the things to do are endless.
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 actionr-packed activities, discover year-round downhill adventures at Ski Apache, or enjoy family time at Ruidoso’s alpine lakes.
Explore Ruidoso’s Wide Open Spaces
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.
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.
Discover AllTrails’s top-rated walking trails close to Ruidoso with custom-made trail maps, driving directions, insightful reviews, and pictures from hikers, campers, and nature enthusiasts.
Cedar Creek Recreation Area is one of Ruidoso's easiest-to-access trail systems, conveniently located just off Mechem Drive (Hwy 48). With various multi-use (hike, bike, equestrian) trail lengths and difficulties starting in town, a picnic shelter, and three group campsites, Cedar Creek is a great place for the whole family and an outing in Lincoln National Forest.
Ruidoso offers a unique experience for watching wildlife with the chance for a responsible wildlife encounter with deer, elk, free-roaming horses, and more. Just remember to keep your distance for your safety and the animals, too—no touching, no feeding, no harassing.
The Lincoln National Forest (LNF) is increasing camping fees at four developed campgrounds, decreasing extra vehicle fees at two campgrounds, and increasing a daily shelter reservation fee for the Cedar Creek Group picnic area. The forest is also adding a standard amenity recreation fee to three day-use areas and increasing fees for the Sam Tobias Memorial Group Campground.
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 2024.
When the moon covers most of the sun, leaving a mesmerizing "ring of fire" around the edges on October 14, 2023, for an annular solar eclipse, Ruidoso is in the direct path of this cosmic phenomenon. Here's how skywatchers can make the most of this extraordinary celestial event.
From dazzling night skies to snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests, here are five reasons to make a Ruidoso mountain vacation your next adventure.
Discover Things to Do with Kids in Ruidoso
Pile everyone into the car and experience the Ruidoso Christmas Light Driving Tour to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows put on by Ruidoso area residents. Download the Ruidoso mobile app for iOS and Android today and help choose the winners of the 2023 Best Ruidoso Holiday Lights Displays challenge. Don't miss the fun!
Join Screaming Eagle for a day of fun on a state-of-the-art tubing hill that expands the Ruidoso Winter Park experience into a summer tubing adventure and fun for the whole family. While you are there, take a ride on the popular family zipline. Experience the thrill of the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster (New! Summer 2023)
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.
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 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.
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.
Adventure Mountain Family Fun Center is Ruidoso’s newest place for year-round fun offering batting cages, glow-in-the-dar mini golf, bazooka ball, a ropes course, climbing wall, arcade games, laser maze, and kids rides.
Explorer Momma, Lauren Gonikishvili, shares insider tips for planning a family-friendly Ruidoso getaway.
The best Ruidoso family vacations begin with carefree moments that last a lifetime and inspire you to return again and again.
Visitors to this endless waterless sea can enjoy driving, hiking, visiting a museum and sledding down the huge dunes.
Use these tips to get on your way camping with the entire family and create camping memories now.
"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
Discover the Story of the American West
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Before White Oaks became known as the liveliest town in New Mexico Territory the area was first roamed by the Piros Indians before they were forced out by the fierce Apache. Though the region is arid and dotted with lava rock, the Indians found it abundant with game and made it one of their hunting grounds." - Legends of America
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.