Route from Grants to Cloudcroft, NM

[ekirkland]

I will be traveling from Grants to Cloudcroft, NM pulling a 30' travel trailer. I'd like suggestions on a leisurely, scenic route; I don't care to stay on interstate highways; just decent, good two-lane roads.

[trailertraveler]

frizzen wrote:
...As an alternative take 380 past us 54...a few miles farther East on 380 you will find Lincoln, NM of Billy the Kid fame and Fort Stanton. The Fort is on NM 220 and that will take you back to Ruidoso.

If you take this route you will pass through Capitan, Home of Smokey Bear and his grave site.

[frizzen]

Trailer traveler got most of it. As an alternative take 380 past us 54 about 20 miles and take NM 37 down to Ruidoso. There is a zipline ride at Sierra Blanca/Ski Apache.

Museum of the Horse is at Ruidoso Downs. Inn of the Mountain Gods is on US 70. Take US 70 west over Apache summit and NM 244 will put you on US 82 a couple miles east of Cloudcroft.

If you go a few miles farther East on 380 you will find Lincoln, NM of Billy the Kid fame and Fort Stanton. The Fort is on NM 220 and that will take you back to Ruidoso.

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[TexasShadow]

that's a good route suggestion. 🙂 We stay often at Valley of Fires Rec area near Carrizozo. Very tidy campground, great views, clean bathrooms/showers, elec hookups water and dump, etc.

[trailertraveler]

I forgot to mention that Acoma Sky City is not far from Grants. It is said to be the longest occupied location in the U.S. If my memory is correct it was one of the sites of the Pueblo uprising. They give tours of the pueblo. The Mission Church of San Esteban del Rey is still standing. If you are reasonably fit you can walk the historic foot trail from the pueblo back down the Mesa to the visitor center. There is an RV park next to the casino and a large fuel stop.

[Edd505]

The ruins are exultant and there are 3 in the area ABO, Quarai,& Salinas Pueblo Mission, all in or near Mountain Air. Manzano State parks in the area, water & electric, dump on site.

The routes a nice drive as are the mention attractions. You will like El Morro, one of my favorites & the original graffiti wall. Take lots of water it's hot this time of year, triple digits are not uncommon.

[trailertraveler]

ekirkland wrote:
I'd love to hear of some sights along the way. We're already planning to visit El Malpais and El Morro. I had also noticed some ruins near Abo on US60 and NM55.

In and near Grants also consider the Mining Museum, El Malpais National Conservation Area, and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano. Take a break in Pie Town. The Ghost Town of Kelly, some other Ghost Towns and the Very Large Array are near Magdalena. There is the Valley of Fires Recreation Area near Carrizozo. There is the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site near Tularosa. There are several museums and other attractions like White Sands National Monument in the Alamogordo area.

We have not been to the Salinas Missions National Monument near Abo.

[ekirkland]

trailertraveler wrote:
I-40 to NM-117 to NM-36 to US-60 to I-25 to US-380 to US-54 to US-82. Let me know if you want some things to see and do along this route.

I'd love to hear of some sights along the way. We're already planning to visit El Malpais and El Morro. I had also noticed some ruins near Abo on US60 and NM55.

[trailertraveler]

I-40 to NM-117 to NM-36 to US-60 to I-25 to US-380 to US-54 to US-82. Let me know if you want some things to see and do along this route.