You Won't Believe This Town Is In New Mexico

New Mexico evokes classic southwestern imagery: red rock buttes, tumbleweeds rolling around in the wind, and sage-covered deserts. You might be surprised to hear that this state sits at the southern end of the Rocky Mountains and contains a significant number of high-altitude, alpine landscapes—snowcapped peaks, pine forests, wildflower meadows, and all.

If you want to see this seemingly out-of-place scenery for yourself, the town of Cloudcroft is the perfect place to start. A historic community with deep ties to the Wild West, it is now a modern vacation destination that is very much worth a visit. Read on to find out a bit more about this gorgeous yet curious place near the Mexican border.

Go From Desert Basins to Lush Alpine Scenery in the Blink of an Eye

Cloudcroft sits at an elevation of nearly 8,700 feet in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico, making it one of the highest towns in the heart of the American Southwest. Surrounded by the vast Lincoln National Forest, the area is dominated by dense stands of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspens, plant life that is somewhat uncommon in a state otherwise largely characterized by sagebrush desert basins and arid plains.

This lofty terrain allows Cloudcroft to experience four distinct seasons, another unique feature in New Mexico. These include significant snowfall in the winter and a pleasant autumn, when the aspen trees turn a beautiful shade of gold before shedding their leaves for the rest of the year.

Just about 16 miles west, the elevation drops sharply into the Tularosa Basin, where the landscape shifts to the more recognizable desert scrub and gypsum flats that exemplify this southern border state. The iconic White Sands National Park can be found here, too. This dramatic change in terrain over a short distance means that you can easily enjoy the best of both worlds in one day. The elevation also brings cooler temperatures year-round, giving you a convenient option to escape the heat if you're in nearby Alamogordo, should you need to.

A Classic Mountain Escape in an Unlikely Place

This small community of only around 750 residents was established in 1899 as a mountain resort destination for residents of the various hot desert towns below. Its development was closely tied to the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway, built by the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad to transport both lumber and tourists in and out of the Sacramento Mountains. The name "Cloudcroft," a descriptor referring to a place shrouded in clouds, aptly reflects the town’s position high up in the sky.

The area quickly became known for its old-timey-style hotels, hiking and snowshoe trails, ski areas, and scenic overlook points. The Lodge at Cloudcroft, rebuilt and placed in its current location in 1911 after a fire, became a centerpiece of tourism. At the same time, timber harvesting supported a growing local economy, inviting more permanent residents.

When the railroad ceased operations in the late 1940s, however, road travel replaced train service. Over time, Cloudcroft adapted to changing visitor interests by adding full-service ski resorts in the surrounding mountains. Today, remnants of the old railroad trestles and preserved historical buildings still serve as physical markers of Cloudcroft’s origins as both a logging town and a classic alpine getaway.

Must-Visit Destinations in Cloudcroft

Here are some recommendations if you plan on visiting Cloudcroft but are unsure of what exactly to see and do during your stay. From world-class ski resorts to museums, historic hotels, parks, old-school western saloons, and more, there should be something that appeals to all kinds of travellers here throughout the year.

Ski Cloudcroft

Ski Cloudcroft is a relatively compact ski resort located just east of the village center, offering a rare way to engage in winter sports this far south in New Mexico. The mountain spans roughly 74 acres with 25 trails served by a double chairlift and two surface lifts. Its elevation, ranging between 8,400 and 9,100 feet, allows for consistent snowfall (also supported by snowmaking equipment), ensuring usable runs throughout the season.

The resort includes runs for beginners and intermediate skiers, with a few advanced options. It also features a tubing hill, gear rentals, and a cozy base lodge, making it a spot where you can easily spend your entire stay in Cloudcroft.

Trestle Depot Recreation Area

Trestle Depot Recreation Area lies just west of Cloudcroft and marks the starting point of the Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail. The area includes a replica train depot, picnic spots, restrooms, and interpretive displays about the region’s railroad past provided by the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

The paved trail soon turns to dirt, passing through pristine pine forest toward the historic Mexican Canyon Trestle. This curved wooden structure, built in 1899, stands 52 feet tall and stretches more than 320 feet across the canyon. Furthermore, the overlook provides excellent views of the trestle, forested slopes, distant desert, and other beautiful local natural features.

Lincoln National Forest

Lincoln National Forest wraps completely around town and stretches across much of southeastern New Mexico, covering about 1.1 million acres of wilderness that you can explore pretty much freely. The forest is divided into several ranger districts, with the Sacramento District encompassing the Cloudcroft area.

Popular activities include hiking, camping, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing, with seasonal snow allowing for winter activities. Trails like Osha and Rim offer access to scenic overlooks and shaded canyons, while the forest also protects historic sites tied to early logging and settlement, offering both recreational and educational opportunities year-round for all who come.

Western Bar

Hungry and thirsty after a day of adventure around town? Western Bar is the perfect spot to sink your teeth into Cloudcroft's Wild West vibe. Serving up whiskey, beer, and other cold drinks within a classic flat-front building along Burro Ave for over 50 years, this family-run joint is just one of a few watering holes to be found along downtown's main thoroughfare. But, it is the most popular for reasons you'll see once you arrive! Connected to Hotel Cloudcroft, Western Bar is not just a cool locale, but a convenient one too, located within walking distance to several other amenities and attractions.

Sacramento Mountains Museum

The Sacramento Mountains Museum, located in Cloudcroft’s historic depot building, offers an in-depth introduction to local heritage in a way the whole family can appreciate. Exhibits highlight the region’s former railway and logging industries, showcasing artifacts like model trains, vintage forestry tools, turn-of-the-century photographs, and Native American crafts from the Mescalero Apache. You can take a look at other displays on early settlers, the influence of the railroad, and the development of mountain tourism as well.

This is an ideal stop to gain context about the region before heading outdoors, offering insight into how Cloudcroft evolved from a timber town to a seasonal vacation hub over several generations.

Check Out This Unique Mountain Town Today

Whether you want to hike or ski out in the hills or stay in town to learn more about this old-timey community seemingly taken straight out of a Western film, Cloudcroft is a town that has to be seen to be believed. Offering a wide variety of landmarks to see and activities to partake in, it is an amazing place to spend a quiet weekend escape, free from the chaos that other, much more popular, mountainous destinations across the United States often face.