In 1885, the small settlement located beside the Rio Ruidoso consisted of only a general store, post office, and blacksmith. By 1914, cabins were being built in Upper Canyon, and by 1935, a ski area had opened in the area. Since then, Ruidoso has developed into a mountain resort town and an economic hub for the region. Nowadays, there are around 8,000 people living in the town and many visiting tourists every year.
With its location in the beautiful Sierra Blanco mountain range, Ruidoso is a popular destination for those looking for outdoor adventure. Perhaps the most popular attraction in town is the huge Ski Apache ski resort, which features over 55 runs and 11 lifts. Another wonderful destination for outdoor recreation is Grindstone Lake, which is perfect for fishing, paddling, and swimming and lies near 18 miles of scenic multi-use trails. If your preference is a relaxing day of golf, you can head over to The Links at Sierra Blanca to play a few holes.
There are plenty of awesome attractions to check out around Ruidoso, including the family-friendly Ruidoso Winter Park, which is a snowy wonderland filled with opportunities for thrilling fun. Another fun spot to check out is Adventure Mountain, featuring lots of great indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. If you're looking for a relaxing, peaceful experience, you can spend a few hours enjoying the serenity of Blue Lotus Day Spa and Yoga. When you're ready for lunch, consider stopping by The Village Buttery for a delicious sandwich and one of their amazing homemade desserts.
Annual Brewdoso Craft Beer and Wine Festival - This annual Ruidoso festival takes place in mid-June at Wingfield Park. In addition to all the delicious beer and wine, the lively event features plenty of great live entertainment.
Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival - Happening in late July, the Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival features over 100 of the nation's most talented artists. The event, which has been running for over 50 years, takes place at the Ruidoso Convention Center.
Party in the Pines - Come celebrate Father's Day in June with a weekend of music, food, and fun at Ruidoso's Wingfield Park.
White Sands National Park, located in southern New Mexico, is one of the most incredible natural areas in the country. The breathtaking field of gypsum sand dunes is surrounded by military installments, and the general area is often used for the testing of missiles and other defensive technologies. That, combined with the otherworldly landscape, makes the park a truly unique place to see in person. White Sands National Park is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, with creatures like roadrunners, coyotes, bobcats, and many more inhabiting the desert.
Another spectacular natural destination in New Mexico is Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which contains more than 100 fascinating limestone caverns. The caves were originally discovered by an adventurous teenager in 1898, and now, roughly 410,000 people visit them each year. In addition to checking out the breathtaking caverns, you can enjoy the area's dark skies for fantastic stargazing. Or, you can attend the park's bat flight program to observe the many Brazilian free-tailed bats that live in the caves.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park lies in western Texas and is home to the magnificent Guadalupe Peak, which stands at 8,749 feet and represents the highest peak in the state. The area also contains several other unique destinations, including a historic stagecoach station and the restored Frijole Ranch. Popular activities for visitors include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and stargazing.
Bottomless Lakes State Park is situated in southwestern New Mexico and comprises 1,400 acres of beautiful lakes, rocky cliffs, and sandy desert. The park's namesake lakes are actually sinkholes, formed by the collapse of underwater caverns. The lakes and nearby Pecos River offer great recreational opportunities, like kayaking, fishing, swimming, and scuba diving. You can also hike on the nearby trails and observe the many interesting native birds.
Another lovely New Mexico oasis is Brantley Lake State Park. The 3,000-acre Brantley Lake is a popular destination for swimming and fishing. If you prefer to stay on land, you can explore the park's scenic hiking trails or enjoy some primitive camping in the serene setting.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park is the largest state park in New Mexico and a wonderful hub for various forms of outdoor recreation. Many visitors utilize the massive nearby reservoir for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park is also a top-notch bird-watching destination and boasts 15 miles of picturesque hiking trails.
New Mexico boasts many unique monuments and landmarks, and one spot for TV buffs is Walter White’s House in Albuquerque. The house's exterior served as the main character's home in the hit show Breaking Bad, and you can get a first-hand look at it while you're in town. However, it's important that you observe from a distance and be respectful; real people live in the home!
If you travel west of Ruidoso, you can visit the unique community of Truth or Consequences. The town got its name from airing a radio quiz show of the same name in 1950, but it was previously called Hotspring. The city offers all sorts of opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as relaxing natural hot springs.
In Santa Fe, you can visit the unique Meow Wolf immersive art experience. Visiting the attraction will be unlike anything you've experienced before, and in addition to being an art installation, it's also a venue for live music.
You'll have quite a few lovely camping areas to choose from in the greater Ruidoso area, including the Spring River RV Park. The park, which offers military discounts, features 40 RV campsites with full hookups available. The campground also features an on-site dog park and offers free satellite television and Wi-Fi.
Another excellent nearby campground is the Artesia RV Park & Storage, where you can select one of the 139 RV campsites. Full-hookup sites are available, and the campsites cost $40 per night. The family-owned campground is also well-known for its wonderful personalized service.
You could also camp at the Mama Bear RV Park, where you'll enjoy spectacular mountain views. The park features 20 RV campsites, and its guests can make use of the on-site bathhouse. Plus, the Mama Bear RV Park is highly regarded for its quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Ruidoso, NM, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Ruidoso?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Ruidoso from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Ruidoso?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
