Cloudcroft

Sacramento Mountains village above the desert, cooled by pines and views toward White Sands.

Cloudcroft is a small mountain village perched at nearly 9,000 feet in the Sacramento Mountains, offering cool relief from the desert heat of the Tularosa Basin below. When temperatures in Alamogordo push past 100 degrees, Cloudcroft sits comfortably in the 70s, surrounded by ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The winding drive up US-82 from Alamogordo climbs over 4,000 feet in about 16 miles and is spectacular.

The village itself is tiny -- a few blocks of shops, cafes, and galleries along Burro Avenue. The Lodge Resort, built during the railroad era and rebuilt after a 1909 fire, is the town's most notable landmark, with a nine-hole golf course that claims to be one of the highest in the country. The surrounding Lincoln National Forest has good hiking, including the Osha Trail and the Rim Trail, which offers views out over White Sands far below.

Cloudcroft makes a fine day trip from Alamogordo or a quiet overnight stop on a tour of southern New Mexico. In winter there is modest skiing at Ski Cloudcroft, and the fall colors in the surrounding forest are worth the drive. The town hosts a well-attended Oktoberfest and a popular Fourth of July celebration.

Guide

Things to Do

Cloudcroft's main draws are outdoor activities in the surrounding Lincoln National Forest and the cool mountain air that makes the place such a relief from the desert heat below. Hiking, skiing in winter, and wildlife watching are the main pursuits.

Guide

When to Go

Cloudcroft's appeal varies dramatically by season, and the best time to visit depends on what you are after.

Summer (June–August): This is Cloudcroft's high season. When temperatures in Alamogordo are pushing past 100°F (38°C), Cloudcroft sits in the 70s°F (low 20s°C). The village fills with weekend visitors from the lowlands, the hiking is excellent, and the wildflowers in the forest meadows peak in July. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August — brief, dramatic, and cooling.

Fall (September–November): The aspen groves turn gold in October, and the crowds thin out after Labor Day. Temperatures remain comfortable and the light is beautiful. One of the best times for wildlife watching as deer move through the forest.

Winter (December–March): Cloudcroft can receive significant snow, transforming it into a quiet, frosty retreat. Ski Cloudcroft operates when conditions allow. The village quiets down considerably, and many businesses close or reduce their hours.

Spring (April–May): Variable weather — warm days and cold nights. The forest is waking up and the wildflowers begin. Generally uncrowded and pleasant for hiking.