Local Attractions | The Cabins at Cloudcroft

  • Cloudcroft, New Mexico Information

    Address:
    Cloudcroft, New Mexico .

    Welcome to Cloudcroft, New Mexico! We are proud of our 110 year old, unique mountain community which combines the amenities of modern life with our heritage as a pioneer village. Cloudcroft, NM is the travel destination of thousands of visitors each year. In the summer, it is a wonderful place to get away from the heat and enjoy the delightful pleasures of the mountains. In the winter, you can explore the vast wonderland of cross-country skiing, snow mobiling, and ice skating. At any time of the year, Cloudcroft is truly “The Most Enchanting Part of the Land of Enchantment!”

    Why Not Make Cloudcroft Your “Vacation Base?”

    Cloudcroft, New Mexico is….

    • 40 miles from casino wagering and golf at the Inn of the Mountain Gods.
    • 50 miles from Ruidoso Downs.
    • 16 miles from the Space Museum, Alameda Park Zoo, and Toy Train Depot in Alamogordo.
    • 40 miles from White Sands National Monument.
    • 150 miles from Carlsbad Caverns.
    • 90 miles from El Paso and the Mexican border.
    • Within 50 miles of 8 magnificent golf courses.

    History of Cloudcroft

    A Cloudcroft Story

    Panoramic Photo of Burro Street

     

  • Lincoln National Forest Trail Information

    Address:
    4 Lost Lodge Rd, Cloudcroft, NM 88317, USA .

    Whether you are a casual hiker or a serious athletic hiker, there is a trail for you.  Explore historical trails that follow the paths of the old Cloud Climbing railroad, walk through the rich forest areas, enjoy panoramic views of the Tularosa Basin.

    A.  Trestle Recreation Area - www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lincoln/recarea/?recid=34242

    B.  Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail - www.traillink.com/trail/cloud-climbing-trestle-trail/

    C.  Rim Trail - www.fs.usda.gov/internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5414078.pdf

    D. Osha Trail - www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/osha-trail--2

    E. Bluff Springs - www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lincoln/recarea/?recid=40310

    The National Forest Service Has an Interactive Map to Download.

    This provides essential visitor information allowing you to discover the unique sites and recreational opportunities at Lincoln National Forest. Plan your trip, make the most of your visit, and connect with us!

    Through these interpretive tours, visitors and armchair travelers alike can learn more about the area’s diverse natural and cultural history. Featuring audio, image galleries, and historic imagery, it tells the story of our rich landscape through the eyes and words of those dedicated to preserving it.

    Easily access valuable information, including recreational opportunities, location and way-finding information, Visitor Center locations, and stay up to date with alerts and events. Maps allow visitors to explore our forest and locate trails and points of interest. 

    Downloading will store  content on your device, so you can continue to access the tour and information when there is no cell coverage in the forest.

    Additionally, you may order maps and access an interactive web map accessible on your computer:

    Prior to your visit, you might consider ordering; for the Cloudcroft area, you'll want to order the Lincoln (Smokey Bear & Sacramento Districts) map - the cost is $14.00.

    This link is to the Main Lincoln County Page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln

    This link is to the main map site  https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lincoln/maps-pubs

    This link is to the map ordering page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd571175.pdf

    Main National Forest service map - https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html

    The Cloudcroft US Forest Service phone number is (575) 682-2551

  • Cosmic Adventures

    Address:
    96 James Canyon Hwy, Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA .

    Located about a quarter mile from The Cabins at Cloudcroft, Cosmic Adventures offers standard one hour long Snowmobile tours but longer tours can be arranged.  Specialty accommodations can also be arranged including bonfires, cookouts, night tours, private groups, etc.

    Single riders are 60.00 for one hour and Doubles (two riders on one Snowmobile) are 85.00 for one hour plus tax.

    We are Co-located with Abby's Pie Shack in Cloudcroft, NM

    Find out more about us at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicAdventuresNM/

     

  • Ski Cloudcroft

    Address:
    1920 1/2 U.S Highway 82, Cloudcroft, NM 88317 .

    Located about five minutes from The Cabins at Cloudcroft, you will find Ski Cloudcroft, the Southern Most Ski Area in New Mexico, where families come to ski, snowboard, tube and, most importantly, have fun!

    With a base elevation of 8400 ft. and a top elevation of 9100 ft., Ski Cloudcroft has a vertical drop of 700 ft.

    25 Ski Trails - Something for everyone! Our ski trails include 8 Beginner, 7 Intermediate, 8 Advanced and 2 Expert Only

    3 Chair Lifts - Our double chair lift, handle tow lift and rope tow lift making getting up the hill almost as much fun as coming down.

    Find out more about us at https://skicloudcroft.net/

  • White Sands National Monument

    Address:
    19955 Highway 70 West, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA .

    An approximately 45 minute drive from The Cabins at Cloudcroft and rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.

    The mission of the White Sands Missile Range Museum is to interpret the prehistoric, historic, and modern occupation and use of the lands occupied by White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) military installation. Attention is devoted to educating military personnel and the civilian population on the Army's 19th century Indian War campaigns in the Tularosa Basin and the Trinity Site Test, as well as the rocket, missile and other weapons development projects carried out on WSMR after World War II and during the ensuing Cold War period. Located 35 miles (56 km) southwest of White Sands National Park on WSMR.

    The park is open daily year-round except for December 25, Christmas Day. Hours of operation vary throughout the year. Below is the detailed listing of the park and visitor center opening and closing hours for the current year.

    Unexpected Closures

    During the winter and occasionally throughout the year, the park may unexpectedly close due to unsafe road or extreme weather conditions. 

    Park Closures for Missile Tests

    Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary for visitor safety to close the road into the park for periods of up to three hours. U.S. Highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is also closed during times of missile testing. Visitors on a tight schedule are encouraged to check the park closure web page the day before arrival to confirm hours of operation.

    Find out more about us at https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm

  • Ski Apache

    Address:
    1286 Ski Run Rd, Alto, NM 88312, USA .

    Located about 60 miles from the Cabins at Cloudcroft, Ski Apache offers the best warm-weather powder skiing in the world with snowmaking on 33% of the mountain. The slopes offer a mix of wide beginner slopes, tough bump runs, a huge bowl, nice cruising runs and a terrain park with jumps, tubes, and rails. Here are just a few of the highlights:

    • The alpine peak of Sierra Blanca is over 12,000 feet
    • Elevation at the Gazebo “the top” is 11,500 feet
    • Positioned geographically to have the best skiing weather in North America
    • Annual snowfall over 15 feet!
    • 55 runs and trails – 20% Expert, 60% Intermediate, 20% Beginner
    • 11 lifts including New Mexico’s only passenger Gondola to the top – the Gazebo
    • Enhanced snow-making all the way to the top
    • Free lift ticket with beginner group lessons
    • All-day ski instruction programs
    • Vertical drop of 1,900 feet
    • Over 750 ski-able acres
    • Amount of mountain open depends on snowfall call 575-464-3600 for the daily snow report
    • Find out more about us at  https://www.skiapache.com/

  • Sunspot Observatory

    Address:
    3004 Telescope Lp, Sunspot, NM 88349 .

    Located about 1/2 hour from the Cabins at Cloudcroft at an altitude of 9200 ft in the scenic Lincoln National Forest, Sunspot Solar Observatory is home to gorgeous vistas, historical landmarks, and one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world. 

    The Sunspot Solar Observatory is an astronomical observatory designed for the study of the Sun. The observatory is operated by New Mexico State University and the National Solar Observatory. It is split between operations at the telescope facility at Sunspot, New Mexico and data and management at the Department of Astronomy at New Mexico State University.

    Find out more about us at https://sunspot.solar/

  • Mescilla Valley Flyfishers, Inc

    Address:
    Mayhill, NM, USA .

    The Mesilla Valley Flyfishers Inc. has a lease about 30 miles east of The Cabins at Cloudcroft.  http://www.mvff.org/

    Members of MVFF may purchase permits allowing them to fish the leased water on the Rio Peñasco.  The cost is $25 per day.

    Before you fish club waters, be sure you read and understand the rules.  If you have any questions, please contact a board member for additional information.

    Contact Jim Hulsey, (575-524-1880, email (permits@mvff.org), 541 Hansen Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005, to obtain fishing permits.  If Jim is not available, permits can also be purchased from Bob Silver (575-522-6325, email (silver@mvff.org), 3255 Arrowhead Rd, Las Cruces).  Permits may also be purchased at the Lease but prior arrangements must be made with Jim Ellett, Ranch Manager (575-687-3362.)  An adult permit is $25 per day and children under the age of 18 fish free.  You must be a current MVFF member to fish.  While on the property you must wear your MVFF identification badge and display a parking tag on the dashboard of your vehicle, both of which are available from Bob Silver.  Members can purchase a one-day, one-time permit for a guest.

    The permit is not dated when you purchase it and is good any time.  A permit is valid for one calendar day, i.e. cannot be used to fish the afternoon of one day and the morning of the next day.  Please try to purchase them considerably in advance of when you think you are going fishing, or better yet just keep one in your fishing vehicle for whenever.  This avoids a panic situation of trying to get someone to sell you one at the last minute and finding out that everyone has gone fishing.

    Please be aware that even though the Rio Peñasco is on private land and you are paying a fee to fish, this fee is for access only.  You must have a valid New Mexico fishing license in your possession.

    There are a couple of ways to purchase permits.  The least expensive, but slowest, way is to print the form here and mail it, along with the fees, to the address at the top of the form.  If you are not already a paid up member you can purchase or renew your membership on the same form.  If you prefer, you may purchase permits through PayPal using a debit or credit card (or your own PayPal account if you have one).  Be aware that permits purchased through PayPal will be slightly more expensive because of the fees charged by PayPal.  Your permit will be emailed to you.

     

  • Silver Lake (On the Mescalero Apache Reservation)

    Address:
    868 HWY 244 Mescalero Apache Reservation New Mexico 88340 .

    https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/parks-rec/silver-lake-official/

    Fishing

    Limit 5 fish per permit. Good, day of purchase of only!

    ADULT – $15/per pole

    CHILD (12 years & under) – $15/per pole

    Mescalero Apache Reservation

    New Mexico 8830

    (575) 464-1106

    Silver Store hours: 8 AM – 4 PM

  • The Rio Penasco Flybox

    Address:
    100 Little Glorieta Avenue, Cloudcroft NM, USA 88317 .

    https://www.riopenascoflybox.com/


    Expertise:
    'The Flybox' is a family business. We supply the necessary equipment to those who fish the Rio Penasco. We recommend  what will work for you on the Penasco because we fish the river several times a year. Our Rio Penasco expertise is what sets us apart; take advantage of our know-how and invaluable experience.

    Selection:
    We have quite a selection of items you will need to make your day on the water a success. For instance, there is a large selection of flies, bamboo rods, and antique reels. We can also order the flies you need and have them ready when you arrive for your fishing getaway. Our prices are competitive.

    Convenience:
    We are open on most weekends and holidays. 

    Location:
    Our store is located with easy access in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. In under an hour, you can fish two distinctively catch and release waters with productive fishing year-round.