Ruidoso Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Ruidoso
Ruidoso
Photo by Jace Craft
Photo by Jace Craft
Photo by Erick Huling
Walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid while discovering the natural beauty of one of New Mexico’s most popular resort towns.

Stroll along the streets where Billy the Kid walked, enjoy panoramic views of the countryside and discover frontier history in the scenic town of Ruidoso. Surrounded by the snow-peaked Sierra Blanca mountains, Lincoln County and the Lincoln National Forest, Ruidoso is southeastern New Mexico’s primary resort town.

Experience pioneer history at the Hubbard Museum of the American West, and then head to the Flying J Ranch Chuckwagon Supper and Western Show. Take the kids on a pony ride, have cowboy coffee, shoot on a pistol range and enjoy a traditional cowboy dinner. Sit inside a tepee, see Native American artifacts and learn about Native American culture.

Outdoor adventurers will enjoy the fresh mountain air of Fort Stanton, Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and the Lincoln National Forest. Camp, hike or feel the thrill of high-altitude bicycling. In the winter months, Ski Apache, with its smooth runs, tubes, jumps and rails offers ski slopes with something for every skier and boarder. Nearby Ruidoso Winter Park even has bobsled curves.

Ruidoso offers an array of entertainment and activities. Mine for gemstones and discover fossils and geodes at Fox Cave with its 300-million-year-old sedimentary rock. See a touring Broadway show at the Spencer Theater or live music at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, a Las Vegas-style casino. Listen to country and western music in a local bar. See artwork by renowned artists, N.C. Wyeth and Andrew Wyeth, at the Hurd La Rinconada Gallery. Browse the folk art and admire the 100-year-old adobe building at the Hondo Iris Farm. If you are a horse racing enthusiast, time your visit for the annual All American Futurity, a quarter horse race at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Situated in New Mexico, Ruidoso is accessible by car, bus or plane. It is a three-hour drive from Albuquerque. For an authentic Western experience, time your visit with one of these festivals: Ruidoso Art Festival, Festival of Lights, Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, the Mountain of Blues Festival or the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium.

Where to stay in Ruidoso

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Ponderosa Heights

While Ponderosa Heights isn't home to many top sights, The Links at Sierra Blanca and Grindstone Lake are some notable places to visit nearby.

Ponderosa Heights
MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites Ruidoso
MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites Ruidoso
3 out of 5
107 Sierra Blanca Dr, Ruidoso, NM
The price is AU$266 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
AU$266
includes taxes & fees
26 Nov - 27 Nov
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Ruidoso. Enjoy free WiFi, a golf course, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Everything and everyone has been very excellent and nice"

Reviewed on 17 Nov. 2024

MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites Ruidoso
Ruidoso Mountain Inn
Ruidoso Mountain Inn
2.5 out of 5
25971 US Highway 70, Ruidoso, NM
The price is AU$155 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$155
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ruidoso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The excellent service from front desk!"

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Ruidoso Mountain Inn
Elevate Hotel at Sierra Blanca Ruidoso, Ascend Hotel Collection
Elevate Hotel at Sierra Blanca Ruidoso, Ascend Hotel Collection
3.5 out of 5
25980 US Highway 70, Ruidoso, NM
The price is AU$138 per night from 9 Dec to 10 Dec
AU$138
includes taxes & fees
9 Dec - 10 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Ruidoso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Hotel was real nice and clean! Seems hotel was recently remodeled and was up to date and modern... We showed up about 40 mins before breakfast was over, however no more food was added. Many other guest arrived later and saw they were disappointed..."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Elevate Hotel at Sierra Blanca Ruidoso, Ascend Hotel Collection
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins
Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins
3 out of 5
215 Main Road, Ruidoso, NM
Stay at this cabin in Ruidoso. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Grindstone Lake and Wingfield Park are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (301 reviews)
"Parking was a limited but overall it was a great stay! Will definitely go back again."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins
Crown Point Resort by VRI Americas
Crown Point Resort by VRI Americas
3 out of 5
220 Crown Drive, Ruidoso, NM
Stay at this 3-star condo in Ruidoso. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and tennis courts. Popular attractions Pillow's Funtrackers and Wingfield Park are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (259 reviews)
"Find it to be a nice place to stay and convenient. Have stayed there before. However, the bedroom bathroom toilet didn't flush."

Reviewed on 5 Nov. 2024

Crown Point Resort by VRI Americas
Casey's Cabins
Casey's Cabins
3 out of 5
2640 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Ruidoso. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a gift shop. Popular attractions Wingfield Park and Cree Medows Public Golf Course are ...
7.6/10 Good! (41 reviews)
Girls trip
"Great cozy cabin, close to all shops we walked to all shops .greatly recommend you will not be disappointed. we walked behind cabin to see the river and saw many deer very nice."

Reviewed on 15 Nov. 2024

Casey's Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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