top ten things to do in cloudcroft and the broader area

 

 

This is our list of the top ten things to do in Cloudcroft proper and in the broader region (within a couple hours' drive). 

1. Stroll and shop in downtown Cloudcroft!

Our favorite haunts include the outfitter shop High Altitude, the espresso shop Black Bear, the bakery Kennabelle's, and Off the Beaten Path for a craft and cat fix, but there's also lots of other shopping, a family-friendly bar, and the hustle-bustle of a small mountain town. Check for posters announcing live bands and public events. Pick up a copy of the Mountain Monthly (now free!) as well.

2. Land at Noisy Water for a wine-tasting flight!

Do a wine tasting at Noisy Water Winery. For $15 (as of 2025), you choose from a long list of wines (including a delicious dry apple wine [not cider]) to sample at your pace. You can order a plate of finger grub while you imbibe. Noisy is also a good place to hang-out as a thirsty loner with a laptop. 

3. Take a hike!

There are several trails in and next to town. There's a short trail along the back of Zenith Park. Nearby there is Osha Trail with panoramic views of the Mexican Canyon railroad trestle. There are also several trails off of the Trestle Depot Recreation Area that take you down to the southern side of the Mexican Canyon railroad trestle, the remnants of the S-trestle, Devil's Elbow, and several panoramic views of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands. 

4. Catch a bizza, beer, and band at the Cloudcroft Brewing Company!

Once Black Bear and this brewery opened, we felt that Cloudcroft was fully civilized. The woodfired pizzas here are excellent as are the beers brewed on-site or the carefully curated collection of other New Mexican brews. The outdoor stage often features area bands playing originals (but there are also a lot of cover bands). Be sure to bite into the New Mexico-inspired Zia pizza.

5. Visit the vista at sunset!

The Haynes Canyon Vista Observation Site is a great place to enjoy those gorgeous New Mexican sunsets while overlooking the Tularosa Basin, including Alamogordo and White Sands. 

6. Step back in time at the mountains museum!

The Sacramento Mountains Museum hosts displays about the history of the area and even includes buildings moved to the site for preservation. 

7. Visit Rebecca at The Lodge!

Rebecca is the resident ghost of the railroad hotel, brutally axe-murdered by a jilted lumberman [my ceaseless campaign to get the hotel to rename their Bloody Mary to the Bloody Rebecca has so far fallen on severed ears]. We've not seen Rebecca ourselves, but we certainly enjoy looking for her at this gorgeous historic hotel. There are several stores to peruse as well as historic documents on the walls. Sometimes they'll even let you up into the tower to see the view. The bar is allegedly one of Al Capone's, so stop in for a drink (but don't drink with your back to the door). The restaurant serves as the town's steakhouse. There is also golf, but watch out for elk, deer, cougars, wild horses, and bears when you putt! You don't have to staying at the Lodge to see the hotel and grounds, peruse the displays, or shop the shops.

8. Catch an opera!

The Cloudcroft Light Opera Company puts on occasional free plays in Zenith Park. Kid friendly!

9. Ski and eat uplifting pizza!

Ski Cloudcroft opens up their pizza oven for a limited time in the summer months. BYOB, but enjoy the views of the ski slopes and the wildlife while eating delicious pies. 

10. Just... chill!

Read a book, watch the birds, or contemplate the state of humanity.

If you are keen to venture outside of the immediate Cloudcroft area, there are a number of world-class things to see and do:

1. Sled White Sands!

White Sands is the primary reason many people come to the region (although the cool weather in Cloudcroft is a draw from Las Cruces to El Paso to Midland-Odessa). If you go during the summer and during the afternoon, be sure to take water. And if you plan to hike out, take water and a charged-up phone. Folks get lost, dehydrated, and dead if they are not careful. If you stop into the big box hardware stores or Walmart, you can buy circle sleds to slide the dunes. And during the summer months, the park hosts full-moon events at dusk with live music: truly magical experiences.

2. See rock art at Three Rivers!

New Mexico has hosted many civilizations, and several left their mark on the rocks outside of Three Rivers at the petroglyph park. Go in the morning (or off summer season) to avoid the heat, and take water. It's a bit of a jaunt. Perhaps work in a visit to Tularosa on the way there or back. 

3. See sun spots at Sunspot!

Sunspot is a solar observatory with interesting architecture and displays about the science conducted there. Stop in first at the visitor's center in Cloudcroft to see and read the Pluto sign. As you drive to Cloudcroft, signs for the planets (is Pluto still a planet?) are proportionally spaced to give a sense of how (relatively) far apart the planets are. Finally, be sure to stop in at _______. The buildings are not open to the pubic, but you can stroll the grounds and take in the jaw-dropping views from the top of the mountain. 

4. Tour Tulie!

 We're kinda in love with Tularosa, about 15 minutes north of Alamogordo. The town in tiny-cute, they have an astounding cool sotol distillery and bar, a line of cute stores, our go-to New Mexican restaurant, and Bumpers the Blind Rescue Cat. 

5. Take a hike!


6. Eat a green chile burger!


7. Tour the space museum!


8. See the World's Largest Pistachio!


9. Get Noisy in Ruidoso!


10. Come down to Earth in Roswell!


 

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