This Quaint Mountain Village In New Mexico Has Breathtaking Scenery & It's A Hidden Gem

There are so many outdoor adventures you can experience. 🗻

A woman wearing a floral dress in Cloudcroft, NM. Right: A waterfall in Cloudcroft, NM.

A woman wearing a floral dress in Cloudcroft, NM. Right: A waterfall in Cloudcroft, NM.

Desk Editor, Texas

New Mexico has a wide range of small towns and picturesque cities that make for the perfect family vacation or a weekend getaway with friends. The gorgeous mountains in this state are also home to a quaint village with breathtaking scenery.

Located just an hour away from Ruidoso, New Mexico, and a little bit less than two hours from El Paso, Texas, Cloudcroft is a New Mexican hidden gem where visitors can spend their weekend surrounded by the beautiful Lincoln National Forest.

With 480,000 acres of open forest, outdoor lovers can find paradise in this town of the Land of Enchantment, which offers activities like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, bird watching, and fishing.

During the winter months, Cloudcroft becomes a snowy wonderland where you can go ice skating, skiing, and tubing.


However, if you’re not up for an outdoorsy adventure and would love to relax with a gorgeous view, this small village is home to unique boutiques and tasty restaurants. For the foodies, there are different cafés, bbq spots, and the popular Cloudcroft Brewing Company.

The area is also filled with local shops like thrift stores, art galleries, jewelry boutiques, souvenirs, and wine shops.

If you want to make your trip longer than a day, Cloudcroft has plenty of options, from an RV resort and camping sites to hotels and beautiful wood cabins that will keep you cozy all night.

Cloudcroft is the perfect place to disconnect from busy city life and spend some time enjoying the breathtaking New Mexican nature, making new memories.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Texas Editor

    Fernanda Leon (she/her) was the Texas Editor at Narcity Media. She was born in El Paso and speaks English and Spanish fluently. With a BA in Multimedia Journalism from The University of Texas at El Paso, Fernanda has more than 8 years of experience in the news industry where she has worked for companies like MVS Radio and NBCUniversal. She was nominated for an EMMY Award and has interviewed important personalities in the entertainment and news industry. You can find her at coffee shops, traveling, or having brunch when she's not working.

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