Activities and Sites

Local Attractions and Activities

Surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest on the eastern slope of the Sacramento Mountains, at the confluence of James Canyon and Rio Penasco, about 17 miles east of Cloudcroft, lies the community of Mayhill, New Mexico.

White Sands National Park

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

Ruidoso Downs Race Track

The Ruidoso Downs track hosts both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, notably the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse racing. It also hosts the Grade I All American Derby in early September.

Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino

Win big on the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino floor! One of the top New Mexico casinos, Inn of the Mountain Gods casino features a variety of games from Bingo to Blackjack. You can even take part in one of the weekly poker tournaments in the poker room open to the public.

Fishing

Fishing is one of the greatest attractions to Mayhill. There are many locations in and around the Mayhill area to choose from that will be sure to meet all of your fishing needs. Many of these locations are stocked throughout the year with catfish as well as several types of trout.

Dog Canyon Trail

The National Recreation Dog Canyon Trail is 5.5 miles long. It begins at Oliver Lee State Park and ends at Forest Road 90B. This beautiful trail traverses up from the desert to elevations over 2000' above its starting point and is a trail for the experienced hiker. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding

La Pasada Encantada Trail

The La Pasada Encantada Trail is 0.4-mile long interpretive trail for both the sighted and visually impaired. It is an easy hike located just south of Cloudcroft and offers regular interpretive signs as well as signs in Braille. The path of the trail is bordered by railroad ties allowing for easy use for those using assistive canes. It begins at Forest Road 24B at a trailhead immediately adjacent to the Sleepy Grass Campground and loops back to the starting point. When the trail is open, it is open for the following uses: Hiking.

Bluff Springs

Partially developed picnic and dispersed camping area nestled next to the waterfalls called Bluff Springs. A short trail exists just beyond the bridge that will take you up and over the waterfall, as well the established Willie White Spur trail that follows and old railroad grade to the east.

Rim Trail

The National Recreation Rim Trail is 31.2 miles long. It begins at the southern end of the Village Of Cloudcroft along NM130 and ends 31.2 miles later at the Sacramento River Road south of Sunspot. The first 0.73 miles (to Slide Campground) is non-motorized with the rest of the trail south of Slide being motorized for motorcycles. There are multiple trailheads along the route so smaller day-hikes are easily planned. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Motorcycle Trail Riding.

Trestle Recreation Area

Located at the west end of the Village of Cloudcroft, the Trestle Recreation Area offers a day-use picnicking site with access to popular area trails. Water, restroom facilities, interpretive information, access to trails, picnic sites. This is a day-use facility only.

Ski Cloudcroft

Ski Cloudcroft, located in Cloudcroft, NM, is a ski resort that serves up famous brick-oven pizza. Fido is welcome to join you at one of their pet-friendly outdoor tables while you take a break from the slopes and enjoy a slice.

Rio Peñasco

The Rio Peñasco is one of those oddities that we stumble across every now- and-then in Mother Nature. The Peñasco is a spring creek with 9+ miles of trout water teeming with wild browns and rainbows. This slice of paradise is oddly located in the deserts of southeastern New Mexico about 45 minutes east of the mountain resort town of Cloudcroft. The shallow desert terrain often reaches temperatures in the low 100’s throughout the summer. A number of springs bubble up along the Peñasco.

These springs help maintain a water temperature of 52-60 degrees year round. Making this quit the fishery all year long. Most of the wild browns and rainbows average 10-14 inches with realistic odds of trout reaching 20 inches. The constant water temperatures and tremendous aquatic insect population allow the trout to grow year round.

Sacramento Mountains Museum

Visit the Cloudcroft Museum today, where history comes alive on 2 1/2 wooded acres

in beautiful Cloudcroft, New Mexico, 9,000 ft. above stress level.