BIRDING Birds abound in Ruidoso and the surrounding Lincoln National Forest. It's a fun thing to do and it isn't far from the migratory flyways. Check out these great New Mexico Birding areas: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge which is northeast of Roswell 575-622-6755 is popular for waterfowl in the marshes of the Pecos River. Other popular areas for birding and bird watching in New Mexico include Bosque del Apache and Water Canyon both near Socorro, NM which is about an hour and a half drive from Ruidoso.
DISC GOLF COURSE Park & Rec 575-257-5030 Grindstone Disc Golf Course: From Sudderth Drive, take Carrizo Canyon Road 0.8 miles; Turn right on Grindstone Canyon Road 0.3 miles; Turn left on Resort Drive 0.3 miles to the entrance. Moon Moutain Disc Golf Course: 18 holes, par 63, walk-in with parking at 501 Gavilan Canyon Road.
FISHING Ruidoso, New Mexico is surrounded by lakes and streams stocked with trout by the New Mexico Game and Fish department. Usually, the fish are biting somewhere and visitors have a good chance of making a catch. Popular area Lakes include Bonito Lake Located off the Nogal turnoff of HWY 48 north of Ruidoso and Grindstone Lake which is located in Ruidoso off of Grindstone. The Inn of the Mountain Gods also offers fishing in their resort lake with a purchased day permit.
GOLF The Ruidoso area has several beautiful and challenging golf courses, with others nearby in Cloudcroft and Carrizozo, at some of the highest elevations in the United States. Sunny western weather and cool summers make golf enjoyable year-round.
HIKING AND CAMPING The Lincoln National Forest and two wilderness areas provide opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and camping in terrain that ranges from the easily accessible to remote and rugged wilderness.
HORSEBACK RIDING IN RUIDOSO In the Village of Ruidoso, and in the Lincoln National Forest surrounding the village, horseback riding offers a classically Western way to travel.
HUNTING AND FISHING GUIDES The area around Ruidoso offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the Southwest.
LINCOLN STATE MONUMENT The most authentic old west town remaining in the United States.
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NEW MEXICO, RUIDOSO, CLOUDCROFT AND THE SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS The mountain biking trails around Ruidoso cover a wide range of difficulties for cyclists of all experience levels.
SKIING From Thanksgiving to Easter, Ski Apache offers skiing on groomed powder slopes with the largest lift capacity in New Mexico.
CARRIAGE RIDES through midtown Ruidoso and sleigh rides in the winter.
WINTER PARK If you are ready for a different experience going downhill on snow check this out. Ruidoso has a first-class tubing area offering some of the most exciting tubing you will find anywhere. Twists, turns, bumps, jumps, and bobsled curves. Located off of ski run road a short distance from Hwy 48 this tubing park has three cable lifts snowmaking and tubes to carry 3 to 6 riders.
Walking Trail Guide - if you'd rather stroll than hike.
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT The White Sands National Monument, about a one-hour drive west of Ruidoso, is one of the most unusual places on earth. It's a vast landscape of brilliant white, gypsum sand with huge dunes covering nearly 300 square miles. Hours of operation for the White Sands visitor center are: open daily from Memorial day through Labor Day 8AM to 7PM with extended hours for full moons and the balance of the year 8AM to 5PM (575)-479-6124.