The Remote Small Town in New Mexico Locals Don’t Want You to Find

In Spanish, the word Ruidoso means "noisy." However, when you visit Ruidoso, you'll find a remote small town in New Mexico that is quiet and serene. If you know the translation of its name, you may wonder how it got it, but when you visit the Ruidoso Creek, it all makes sense. Also known as Rio Ruidoso, this 30-mile-long river rolls through town with great gusto, and early Spanish settlers gave the settlement its name for that reason. It was the river that was noisy, not the town.

Otherwise, you'll find this resort town to be calm, relaxing, and very welcoming to visitors.

Why Travelers Love Ruidoso Year-Round

This small town remained tiny until the mid-20th century. Since then, it has grown quickly but is still very quaint. Although it had under 1,000 people in the 1950 census, today it is home to nearly 8,000 residents. People are drawn to Ruidoso for a number of reasons, but many visitors come to visit Ski Apache, a Native American-owned ski slope about 30 minutes away, which happens to have one of the longest ziplines in the world, and to Ruidoso Downs Race Track, a horse racing track just outside of town.

Things To Do in Ruidoso

When visiting and patronizing either of these locations, visitors will find that there are lots of other things to do in Ruidoso, too. Strolling down historic Sudderth Drive and Mechem Drive in Midtown is a must-do; it's where most of the town's shops and restaurants are located, and you're sure to find something unique to bring home with you from one of the galleries, gift shops, or Native American-owned businesses you'll find there. The food in Ruidoso is excellent, and you'll surely enjoy some fantastic local cuisine in popular spots like The Village Buttery, Hall of Flame Burgers, the Log Cabin Restaurant, and others. Local wineries are popular tourist stops as well.

Ruidoso sits at an elevation of 6,739 feet, but the weather stays temperate all year. The daily low stays above freezing even in the coldest months of the year. This helps make Ruidoso an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Lincoln National Forest offers lots of hiking trails and opportunities for camping, biking, and horseback riding. White Sands National Park is just an hour away, too.

History enthusiasts will find plenty to interest them in Ruidoso as well. We recommend Lincoln Historic Site and Fort Stanton Historic Site, which are both nearby and give visitors a chance to check out dozens of historic buildings from as far back as the mid-1800s.

The Best Time To Visit This Small Town in New Mexico

There is truly no bad time to visit Ruidoso, New Mexico. If you want to spend time hiking, on the lake, camping, etc., summer is ideal. However, this is one of the busiest times in this New Mexico mountain town, meaning accommodations are more limited and expensive. If you want a winter escape, Ski Apache offers plenty of exciting activities to get you outdoors. And, even better, you likely won’t encounter the crowds that you’ll see in the warmer months. I particularly love this area during the autumn when the weather is milder, and the vibrant fall foliage creates a sea of color everywhere you look.

No matter what interests you, you're sure to find something that suits you in Ruidoso. After a day of exploring and sightseeing, you can enjoy your choice of a variety of excellent accommodation options from cabins to resorts to chain and independent hotels. You'll love visiting Ruidoso for a day or for a week or longer. This little town in the New Mexico mountains is calling your name—you should listen and visit soon.

Are you searching for even more travel inspiration? Check out our list featuring even more small towns in New Mexico to visit, as well as these five hidden gems that locals hope you don't discover.