5 New Mexico Staycations You’ll Want to Check Out This Summer
As we start to shake off the dust from being cooped up in our homes for the last few months, there is no better time to get reacquainted with the nature, culture, and beauty of the great American West. We have five of the best New Mexico staycations to reignite your travel flame and get you out exploring again. What are you waiting for? Start planning your summer adventure in the Land of Enchantment today!
Plan your perfect getaway with a personalized New Mexico Itinerary. Our complimentary itinerary offers recommendations on museums, historic sites, and attractions in the area, as well as customizing your perfect stay at our ranch. Get yours today!
Everything You Need to Know About Planning a New Mexico Staycation
You don’t have to venture far to find the perfect hidden gem in your own backyard this year. The Land of Enchantment is bursting with fascinating Native American history to learn, vast landscapes to explore, and unique museums, boutique shops, and one-of-a kind-restaurants to enjoy. Check out our five favorite New Mexico staycations this summer and start planning your greatest adventure yet.
Visit Silver City, New Mexico
Spend a day (or two!) in the Silver City area. Take an evening stroll through the city’s vibrant downtown, pop into boutiques and art galleries, and explore the town’s history of Billy the Kid and its copper mining heydey. Enjoy a delicious dinner at Revel, or one of their many other restaurants downtown. In the morning take a scenic 45-minute drive north to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and travel back in time to the Mogollon Culture of the late 1200s. Stop at Lake Roberts on your drive back for some fishing and a summer cookout on the lake. The Western New Mexico University Museum is home to one of the finest collections of Mimbres pottery and artifacts in the world and is definitely worth a stop. If you have more time, head an hour and a half drive west to the Catwalk Recreation Area, a stunning box canyon with a fascinating history.
Visit Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces is the perfect blend of modern city-living and traditional ranching lifestyle. The city sits on the edge of the Organ Mountains with a gorgeous ridgeline view. Spend an afternoon at the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument for a breath of fresh air and miles of easy, well-marked trails, beautiful wildlife, and a granite-wall, freshwater spring. Bring your own snacks and enjoy an evening at Amaro Winery for unparalleled views and award-winning wines grown, produced, and bottled on-site. Catch the Las Cruces Farmers Market on Saturday morning for the freshest produce and check out the Farm and Ranch Museum for local history, art, and pony rides! There’s a little something for everyone waiting in Las Cruces!
Visit Ruidoso, New Mexico
Tucked between Gavilan Ridge and Moon Mountain is the village of Ruidoso. Enjoy dinner at The Village Buttery followed by a stroll through the downtown boutiques, active gear outlets, and art galleries, and grab a photo in front of the many public art murals along Sudderth Dr. In the morning enjoy a scenic day drive on the famous Billy the Kid Scenic Byway that takes you through Lincoln National Forest and by all the must-see sites of Central New Mexico. Head to the north end of the Forest to Capitan, NM, the birthplace and burial site of Smokey the Bear. Continuing the Byway southeast, relive the glory days of the wild west in Lincoln, NM and walk the path of Billy the Kid, explore the old courthouse and jail, and learn the history of the Lincoln County Wars. Ruidoso is the perfect, off-the-beaten-path destination for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Visit Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Originally named Hot Springs, this city’s name change w
as a result of a contest on Ralph Edwards’ radio show, Truth or Consequences. This unique town sits on top of geothermal pools from ancient volcanos, offering its residents and guests therapeutic mineral water Hot Spring baths maintained at a comfortable 100 to 104 degrees. Take a dip at Riverbend Hot Springs to soothe and soak away any sore muscles. Then immerse yourself in Native American history of the southwest at the Geronimo Springs Museum. Grab a picnic lunch and head 15 minutes east to Elephant Butte Lake, the largest lake in New Mexico, for an easy scenic walk, lunch by the water, and water sports.
Plan Your Trip to Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch
Plan an escape to our small, remote, all-inclusiveguest ranch this summer. When you stay at Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch, you’ll enjoy unlimited horseback riding, stunning scenery in the 3.3 million-acre Gila National Forest, down-home country cooking by Chef Fred, and so much more!
For the ultimate New Mexico staycation, plan a road trip starting at the secluded Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch. Spread out with enough room for the whole family in our newly updated Cowboy Cabin. It features one queen bed and three twins, complimentary fresh baked cookies and water bottles upon arrival, a propane fireplace for chilly New Mexico nights, a private bathroom, and views of the horses just outside your window! Then head off to soak in the Hot Springs of Truth or Consequences. As your time allows, explore Ruidoso, Las Cruces, and Silver City. You don’t have to travel far this year for the perfect getaway. New Mexico is a realm of adventure no matter how you travel. Your best adventure yet is waiting just around the corner at Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch!