Alto: Nature, Theater, and Art

Alto combines nature experiences at Alto Lake with a year-round theater and several art tours. At the lake, fishing and a lakeside loop trail take center stage; the Spencer Theater pairs stage performances with glass installations. The tours, in turn, differ in format and in the artists involved. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether time by the water, an event, or an encounter with art should shape your stay. The details below highlight the different focuses.

At Alto Lake: Fishing and a Lakeside Trail

Alto Lake offers different ways to spend time by the water. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout; catfish and largemouth bass are also occasionally found there. Since stocking practices and fishing conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check the current situation before planning a fishing trip. This can help you work fishing into your day’s plans.

A scenic gravel trail about 0.5 miles long loops around the lake. Its approximate distance gives the loop a clear planning framework; picnic tables and benches are located along the shore. If you plan to take a break, you can treat the walk and time at a seating area as two parts of the same visit. Trail conditions and amenities can change. Check current conditions before visiting if these details are important to your plans.

Spencer Theater: Stage Performances and Glass Installations

The Spencer Theater operates year-round. Its program includes touring concerts, shows, plays, dance companies, and family and children’s performances. The selection spans different types of stage productions; which specific dates coincide with your trip depends on the seasonally changing program. If a particular performance is a deciding factor for you, check the event dates in advance. This is a different planning focus from a visit to Alto Lake: at the theater, what kind of event you want to attend matters most, while at the lake, the loop trail and fishing take center stage.

The theater also houses several blown-glass installations by artist Dale Chihuly, including Indian Paint Brushes and The Persians. The works add a visual art element to the performing arts program. The presentation of individual installations may occasionally be affected by theater operations.

Art Tours with Different Focuses

The Alto Artists Tour is a summer tradition dating back to 2003; dates and format may change. The annual Alto Artists' Studio Tour brings visitors into contact with painters, sculptors, and Lincoln County artists working in wood, textiles, and glass. Dates and participating artists may vary. The Alto Art Tour follows a different format: it is free and self-guided, taking visitors through the studios and homes of professional artists in Alto. Participating locations and dates for this tour may also vary.

The different focuses can help you compare the tours: the tradition of a summer event, encounters with artists from Lincoln County, or a self-guided tour through studios and homes. If you plan to include an art tour in your trip, check the specific dates and participating locations in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Carrizozo, Nogal, Capitan.

For the overarching travel guide: Lincoln.