Sierra County: Trails, Water and History

The Paseo del Rio Trail passes through a cottonwood forest, wetlands, ponds and riverside habitats. Parking is available at the trailhead, and the trail is easy to reach from downtown Truth or Consequences. This trail combines a clear natural setting with helpful information for planning your visit.

Hiking, Water and Landscapes

The trail systems of the Gila National Forest are accessible from Sierra County. Along the access routes, ponderosa pine forests and mixed-conifer mountains give way to rocky canyons, wilderness ridges and expansive viewpoints. For a specific trail distance to include in your plans, the Point-of-Rocks Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that leads to a rocky outcrop.

Water activities are also worth considering when planning your trip. Elephant Butte Lake State Park can accommodate watercraft of various types and sizes, including kayaks, jet skis, pontoon boats, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers and houseboats. Percha Dam State Park offers swimming, fishing, picnicking, wildlife and bird watching, and interpretive exhibits.

Point of Rocks played a historic role along El Camino Real, serving as a landmark for travelers. Percha Dam, in turn, is a diversion structure and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Damsite Recreation Area at Elephant Butte Lake State Park is a historic district built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Museums, Architecture and Local History

The Geronimo Springs Museum houses the largest collection of prehistoric pottery in Sierra County, New Mexico. It also hosts monthly talks on paleontology, archaeology, gems and minerals, as well as the history of Sierra County. Together, the collection and talk program span early history, natural history and the region’s past.

Buildings in the Territorial, Pueblo Revival and early 20th-century styles stand in the Historic Bathhouse District. The district is compact and pedestrian-friendly. In Chloride, false-front buildings and adobe structures line Main Street; about 27 original buildings still stand in town, including the Pioneer Store, which now serves as a museum.

The Kingston Ghost Town Museum is housed in one of Kingston’s early adobe homes. Its research center covers mining, the history of the American West and Indigenous history. Other topics include Kingston’s early residents, their businesses and their social life.

Scenic Drives and Getting Around

The Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway is in Sierra County in southern New Mexico. The route runs from mountain forests through dry desert and brush-covered hills, passing two of New Mexico’s largest lakes. Another route with a clearly defined length is the Lake Valley Back Country Byway: the 48-mile route follows paved roads through ranching and mining country and past the ruins of Lake Valley.

The Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway visitor center is at 523 N. Broadway, between Clancy and Daniels in downtown Truth or Consequences. There is also a visitor center near the main entrance to Elephant Butte Lake State Park. For tours of Spaceport America, Final Frontier Tours offers the only public access tours; Spaceport America is considered the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Check tour options again before your trip.

Hot Springs and Local Offerings

The hot springs in Truth or Consequences produce water at temperatures of 98 to 115 degrees, containing trace amounts of 38 different minerals. People have been drawn to the therapeutic effects of the area’s hot springs since before written records began.

During the Truth or Consequences Art Hop, participating shops, galleries and studios open to the public each month. It takes place on the second Saturday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m.; the recurring schedule may be subject to local changes, so it is worth checking before your visit. The Sierra County Farmers Market brings seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods and handmade items to Ralph Edwards Park. Offerings and hours may change seasonally.

Discover more destinations: Truth Or Consequences, Williamsburg, Elephant Butte, Rio Arriba County, Grant County, Colfax, Cibola County, Valencia.

For the main travel overview: New Mexico.