Ruidoso is an incredibly beautiful mountain town in the Sierra Blanca Mountain Range in the south central part of New Mexico. It is surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and gorgeous mountain peaks that include the imposing Sierra Blanca. There are lakes stocked with fish for the fisherman. There are hikes, bike paths, entertainment, and a whole lot more.

To the east sits Roswell and Bottomless Lakes State Park before the land opens up into the Llano Estacado and the Great Plains beyond that. To the west is Alamogordo, White Sands National Park, and the wild and woolly west. Ruidoso is an awesome gateway town if you’re heading from the east and going to the American Southwest. You’ll notice it is quite popular with Texans.

Ruidoso Downs offer summer horse races in the big track to watch and on the outside of it lies a park with larger than life realistically sculpted galloping and leaping horses that’s worth a stop no matter your destination. You can’t miss it if you’re traveling on Highway 70 or Billy the Kid Trail. Also nearby the horses is the Hubbard Museum of the American West which was an awesome museum but is, as of August 2022, STILL CLOSED from an apparent lack of funding.

I’ve stayed in a local motel, at a lavish AirBnB, and in the amazingly gorgeous Inn of the Mountain Gods. Inn of the Mountain Gods offers some exception golf, disc golf, and fishing on the shores of its stocked lake. No need for a state license for that experience. The food and drinks at the Casino and Restaurant are also fantastic. Be sure to walk around and see the art and artifacts they have set out as well.

Be sure to check out the Trading Post in downtown Ruidoso where my wife and I picked up some amazingly beautiful and very reasonably priced jewelry and souvenirs. I got myself a Turquoise & Sterling Silver Saguaro Cuff. Cornerstone Bakery also has delicious Piñon Coffee and baked goods.

Just down Highway 70 towards Roswell, you’ll pass the fun and silly looking Fox Cave and I do suggest a stop!