Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway

Start at the Billy the Kid Interpretive Center in the town of Ruidoso Downs for an orientation to experience ahead. Next door to the center stands the Hubbard Museum of the American West, where life-size bronze horses gallop through the garden. The museum’s exhibits include antique firearms and stagecoaches, Indian art, and the Straddling Collection of bridles, saddles and other items that help interpret the legend of the American West and its continuing impact. Next up on the route is the racetrack that gave the town its name, where quarter horses race from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Ruidoso Downs is never more exciting than during the end-of-season All American Futurity, known as the world’s richest quarter horse race. The track’s newer Billy the Kid Casino beckons visitors year-round for video blackjack and slots action.

The federal government closed the fort in 1868, and sold its buildings to Lucien Maxwell, a prominent New Mexico landowner, in 1870. Maxwell's son Pete befriended legendary outlaw Billy the Kid, and it was in his house that Billy was killed by Pat Garrett. Billy the Kid is buried in the old military cemetery in Fort Sumner as is Lucien Maxwell.

Lincoln State Monument is unique in that it manages most of the historical buildings in the community of Lincoln. This most widely visited state monument in New Mexico is part of a community frozen in time—the 1870's and 1880's. Through a gift from the Hubbard Family Trust, the monument now includes 17 structures and outbuildings, 4 of which are open year round and 2 more seasonally as museums. Most of the buildings in the community are representative of the Territorial Style of adobe architecture in the American Southwest. Lincoln is a town made famous by one of the most violent periods in New Mexico history. Today's visitors can see the Old Lincoln County Courthouse with museum exhibits that recount the details of the Lincoln County War and the historic use of the "House" as store, residence, Masonic Lodge, courthouse, and jail. Walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and other famous and infamous characters of the Wild West. Trace the events of 1878 through the Courthouse and the Tunstall Store, with their preserved 19th-century atmosphere.

Tucked away in the heart of New Mexico is Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. These 3 sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history, entrenched with cultural borrowing, conflict, and struggles. The now abandoned sites stand as reminders of the Spanish and Pueblo People’s early encounters. Abó • Enjoy a walk through The 17th Century Mission of San Gregoiro de Abó. • Take photographs of the Spanish Resettlement Structures. • Listen to the sounds of nature near the arroyos where animals gather to drink out of small pools of water. • Call in advance and schedule a petroglyph tour. • Pack a lunch and picnic in our covered picnic area. Quarai • Take a leisurely stroll through Nuestra Señora de La Purisima Conception de Cuarac • Learn about the functions of the convento and view it's square kiva. • Enjoy some spectacular bird watching • Spend time enjoying nature by hiking the one mile Spanish Corral Trail • Have a picnic or just relax underneath the cottonwood trees in our picnic area Gran Quivira • Take a walk through history and see an excavated Pueblo Mound and two Mission Churches • Visit the museum and see the different tools and artifacts made by the people of Las Humanas • Catch a glimpse of the wildlife that inhabits the area • Check out the spectacular view that spans for miles • Learn about the desert plants that thrive in this harsh environment

45 miles east of Roswell, over 610 acres of towering 90+ foot sand dunes await your enjoyment in the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. This area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The dune field stretches over most of the area and lends itself well to all terrain cycles, sand rails, dune buggies, and motorcycles. It is $3/individuals, $5/vehicle, and $15/bus. Among the biggest surprises in the area are the mature cottonwood trees. The combination of a very shallow water table and the sand's capacity to hold water allows these trees to thrive in an arid environment. The Bowl Parking Area provides access to the northern portion of the dunes, which includes the "Bowl." The Bowl is a large depression surrounded by dunes. The Cottonwood Site provides access to the southern portion of the dunes and has three shelters equipped with picnic table, grills, and a restroom. There is no water available. Trails connect both portions of the dunes. There are also picnic tables at the site. RV camping is allowed in the north, middle, and south parking lots. Dispersed camping is allowed in the dunes away from the parking lots, but these areas can only be accessed by machines designed to go in soft sand.

The refuge protects and provides habitat for some of New Mexico's most rare and unusual creatures such as the least shrew, Noel's amphipod, least tern, Pecos sunflower, and Roswell spring snail. Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the more biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the desert Southwest.

High rising ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, cactus, grasses and thorny shrubs - who would imagine the hidden treasures deep beneath this rugged landscape? Secretly tucked below the desert terrain are more than 119 known caves formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone. Your visit to Carlsbad Caverns National park may include self-guided walks through the cave, guided walks, backcountry hikes, birding at Rattlesnake Springs and nature trail hikes. You will have the opportunity to take a self-guided walk through the natural entrance and the Big Room. To see the Scenic Rooms (King's Palace, Queen's Chamber) you will need to get on one of the guided tours available. Other guided tour options include Left Hand Tunnel, Lower Cave, Spider Cave, Hall of White Giant and Slaughter Canyon Cave. All visitors to the park are encouraged to tour the main section of the cave, the Big Room self-guided tour. The Natural Entrance self-guided tour is also very impressive, but it is not recommended for visitors with any kind of health problems because it is very steep. While there are a variety of cave tours available-from the self-guided areas of the Big Room to crawling through narrow passageways on the Hall of the White Giant Tour - there are also opportunities for hiking and backcountry camping, attending programs in the Visitor Center to watching the incredible exodus of Mexican Free-tailed bats out of Carlsbad Cavern at dusk in the summer.

Starting in the community of Hondo and heading northwest along route 380, your journey along the Billy the Kid Trail has officially begun. After driving about 11 miles, stop by the historic village of Lincoln. Here you have the chance to witness the Lincoln Historic Site and the Lincoln State Monument, which are historic staples of the area. You can learn about the significance of the area here and Billy the Kid’s story at this stop in Lincoln.

As you continue your journey, make a left onto NM-220, and you will reach the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area. Here you can find the historic Fort Stanton that was built in the 19th century, and you can traverse the breathtaking Fort Stanton Cave. There is plenty more to experience in this area, so you can stay for however long you want!

When you get back onto the road, head back from where you came toward route 380, and make a left to head west. Your next stop is in the Village of Capitan, where you can find the Smokey Bear Museum and the Smokey Bear Historical Park. From there, take NM-40 south towards Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs.

In these spots, you can find the Billy the Kid Byway Visitors Center, the Hubbard Museum of the American West, and of course the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. You can end your journey here, or go back around this wonderful loop to stop by any of the attractions that you may have missed, and you will always find something new!