Community Forums

neeliec · 03-08-2017, 02:50 PM

Asking those familiar with this part of New Mexico for comments/advice regarding driving from Alamogordo to Roswell. Google gives 2 suggested routes.

#1 US-54 E/US-70 E to US-380 E

#2 US-82 E to US-285 N to US-380 E

The routes differ by only 20 miles and/or 30 minutes, so we are open to either choice. But since we are not familiar at all with this part of NM, we would appreciate some input as to any road conditions/issues to be aware of, etc. with either way.

We will be traveling this area March 18 - 20. Thanks so much!

Eileen in AZ

fletch460 · 03-08-2017, 03:05 PM

Done them both. I prefer 54 thru the reservation. 82 E is scenic. Love cloudcroft. Either is good road. Lots of deer warnings to Artesia.

cruzbill · 03-08-2017, 03:20 PM

North of Alamagordo, there is a great BLM campsite, Three Rivers, amazing petroglyphs! Water and electric.

https://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/re...ee_rivers.html

Sandy Swede · 03-08-2017, 03:26 PM

Driven both ways, but IMO I would take 54/70/380. Both routes involve mountain driving, but going through the Mescalero Reservation through Ruidoso Downs (very pretty area), is more gentle than through Cloudcroft. Also, there are more towns along the 380 section of the above route than the 82 portion of the second. There is nuttin' between Mayhill and Hope on 82. I would not drive either route in the dark.

Hopefully, a NM native will chime in.

Lastly, watch out for those aliens!

fletch460 · 03-08-2017, 03:30 PM

Also, on 54 there is a town called Capitan. The Smokey the Bear museum is there. Interesting stop.

neeliec · 03-08-2017, 08:15 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments! I appreciate the added info to help us plan our trip. We have reservations in both Alamogordo and Roswell, so this will be just the drive only...no camping. But we will certainly note other overnight options for a future trip.

I especially appreciate the info about the mountain roads. We drive a 29' Class A gas with a small toad. Hope we won't have any snow to worry about. The weather forecasts look good for fair weather so far.

Thanks again!

Edd505 · 03-08-2017, 09:23 PM

flech460 is right on The Smoky Bear Museum is a good stop and so is the town of Lincoln ( Billy the Kid & Lincoln County War) Not sure if you are heading any where else but there are a lot of sites in south NM. I can give you a good number from I40 south and a few north, depending on what your interests are.

neeliec · 03-09-2017, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edd505

flech460 is right on The Smoky Bear Museum is a good stop and so is the town of Lincoln ( Billy the Kid & Lincoln County War) Not sure if you are heading any where else but there are a lot of sites in south NM. I can give you a good number from I40 south and a few north, depending on what your interests are.

Thanks for the info! We are headed from Roswell to Las Vegas NM, and then on to the Valles Caldera area & Santa Fe before we turn south and head back home to AZ. This is kind of new terriroty for us. We've explored other parts of NM over the years, but not this area.

barmcd · 03-09-2017, 12:34 PM

If you're a history buff, you ought to stop at the town of Lincoln on US 380 if you get the chance. It's the center of the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid legend. Not long after that affair, the county seat was moved to Carrizozo so there wasn't much development in Lincoln. Except for the asphalt, it looks pretty much like it did in the 1880s. Most of the buildings were preserved exactly as they were.

cruzbill · 03-09-2017, 12:45 PM

Between Las Vegas, NM and Santa Fe, you'll find Pecos National Historic Site.

https://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm

Prehistoric pueblo, Historic Spanish church, civil war historic battle, its a must see.

Waiter21 · 03-09-2017, 12:47 PM

We LOVE this part of the country. Was stationed at Holloman back in the 70's

Stop at White Sands when you cross between Las Cruces and Alamogordo.

US 82 is a fairly steep climb between Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. We've done it a few times in our 2001 Mirada (Ford F53) while towing a toad.

I would rather go up-hill on this one rather than downhill.

Edd505 · 03-09-2017, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neeliec

Thanks for the info! We are headed from Roswell to Las Vegas NM, and then on to the Valles Caldera area & Santa Fe before we turn south and head back home to AZ. This is kind of new terriroty for us. We've explored other parts of NM over the years, but not this area.

You might want to stop at the Owl Cafe in San Antonio just before I25, chili cheese burgers are great. Bosque del Apache bird sanctuary has geese & sandhill cranes nice visit center and nature walk. Going north on I25 is Coronado Campground off 550 and walking distance to Coronado Monument. In Las Vagus is one of my favorite camps, Storrie Lake St Park.

Conchasjim · 03-09-2017, 09:43 PM

I'm a NM native, so here's my take.
Your #1 pick would be my choice. Sandy Swede said it best. Hwy 82 is beautiful up to Cloudcroft and Its not a long climb. But 70 up through Mescalero and the Inn of the Mountain Gods is nice. You can park for free by the casino and walk down to the Lake, Golf course and Casino. Lincoln and all the Billy the Kid memorabilia is interesting for sure.

From there Capitan and the Smokey Bear museum is a nice stop. Make sure and pick up some Carrizozo Cherry Cider. It's delicious. From Carrizozo you can head up to Roswell and enjoy the Alien (UFO) museum. Also try the Pecan Beer made in the area. It's fantastic.

In Las Vegas there's the Rough Riders Museum. Lots of beautiful historic homes, Storrie Lake, and the famous Plaza Hotel and park. The Hillcrest and Charlie's Spic and Span restaurants are worth a try.

From Vegas you can take I25 south through Santa Fe and the Plaza. But take the toad through there. A couple of beautiful historic churches including the Loretta Chapel with the beautiful stairway. From Santa Fe you can go through Los Alamos and Bandelier Monument and follow Hwy 4 into the Valles Caldera. Make sure you stop in Jemez Springs and enjoy a dip in the natural hot mineral springs and lunch at Los Ojos Bar and resturant.

neeliec · 03-10-2017, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

We LOVE this part of the country. Was stationed at Holloman back in the 70's

Stop at White Sands when you cross between Las Cruces and Alamogordo.

US 82 is a fairly steep climb between Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. We've done it a few times in our 2001 Mirada (Ford F53) while towing a toad.

I would rather go up-hill on this one rather than downhill.

Thank you so much for the highway info! I was a bit concerned about climbing mountains.

We also have a Ford F53 and a small toad. It towed quite well on a trip we made to CA last year.