Lincoln: Historic Sites and Nature

When planning a trip to Lincoln, you can first decide whether to focus on historic sites, geology or outdoor activities. The following highlights range from a historic complex of buildings to caves and lava, as well as seasonal pursuits.

History and Historic Sites

The Lincoln Historic Site preserves the town as it was in 1880 and includes 17 historic buildings. The site also contains San Juan Chapel, a frontier-era church. Together, a preserved historic complex and a specific example of religious architecture offer two different ways to explore the past.

Tunstall Store is also listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Cultural Properties. Old Lincoln Days offers another highlight: this annual event includes historical reenactments, a parade and the pageant “The Last Escape of Billy the Kid.” If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the dates.

Memorials and Insights into Fort Stanton

Smokey Bear Historical Park offers Junior Ranger and Little Ranger programs. The park is also home to the Wildland Fallen Firefighter Memorial, which honors more than 30 wildland firefighters who lost their lives fighting wildfires in New Mexico. The programs and memorial give the park different points of focus.

At Fort Stanton, museum interpreters show a nine-minute film about the fort’s history. They also provide a map of the parade ground, marking the buildings and exhibits open to the public. This information offers a concrete introduction to the fort’s history and shows what the map highlights.

Caves, Lava and Landscape

Fort Stanton Cave has more than 56 miles of mapped passages. Snowy River is the world’s longest cave formation. At Valley of Fires, the Malpais lava flow formed in an eruption about 5,000 years ago and covers an area of 125 square miles. These figures convey the scale and age of these geological features without limiting them to a single stop.

The Malpais Nature Trail at Valley of Fires crosses the lava. The trail is paved and offers accessible access. Along the Billy the Kid Byway, snow-capped peaks, winding rivers, orchards and ranchland form the scenic backdrop. These details offer different perspectives on the landscape: a specific trail across lava and a description of the scenery along the Byway.

Activities and Practical Planning

Lincoln County offers opportunities for hiking and biking in the Sierra Blanca Mountains, as well as fishing and camping along rivers and lakes. In winter, skiing and scenic drives are also available. Ski Apache is a 750-acre ski area owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Apache Wind Rider is a three-part zipline course stretching more than 8,900 feet; its operation is seasonal and weather-dependent.

Valley of Fires offers camping and day use. Thirteen sites have 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups and water hookups. Two RV sites and the restrooms are accessible; showers and an RV dump station are also available. This makes it clear which amenities are available at the 13 sites and which are additional facilities.

SBRA’s full-service fixed-base operator offers fuel, aircraft and vehicle parking, aircraft towing, and two rental car agencies. Since municipal airport services can change, check operational details before your trip.

Check the event dates or specific operating conditions if you want to plan your trip around one of these highlights.

Explore more destinations: Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Nogal, Carrizozo, Alto, Socorro, Grant County.

For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.