Cloudcroft

Cloudcroft is a town in Southeast New Mexico with a population of less than a thousand.

Understand

History

High in the Sacramento Mountains, the village was started as a mountain resort (a glorified camp site) in 1899 by the coming of the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railroad.

Climate

During the summer, temperatures go above 70 °F (21 °C) and lows are between 40 °F (4 °C) and 50 °F (10 °C). During the winter, the range is from the 40s Fahrenheit to the teens.

Get in

Cloudcroft is located at the junction of Highways US 82 and NM 244. The nearest airport with commercial air service is in El Paso, Texas, about 96 miles away. Commute to Cloudcroft from nearby Alamogordo entails going through New Mexico's only Tunnel and driving through High Rolls/Mountain Park.

Get around

Cloudcroft has no public transportation, except horse and horse-drawn carriage rentals. The town itself is tiny and easy to navigate on foot. For outlying areas, plan to drive and know that 4-wheel drive is helpful in the winter.

See

Sunspot Solar Observatory

The high altitude, low humidity and dark sky ordinance for the village, make Cloudcroft a popular site for day and night sky viewing. It is home to two observatories. Both observatories are located about 16 miles south of Cloudcroft on Highway 6563, the Sunspot Highway: this can be a challenging drive when snow is present.

• 1 Sunspot Solar Observatory. has a visitor's center and offers guided and unguided tours during most of the day (updated Sep 2019)
• 2 Apache Point Observatory. Has grounds tours only during daylight hours. (updated Sep 2019)

Do

Most of Cloudcroft is dedicated to forest and mountain activities, although it does have golf courses and resorts.

• Sacramento Mountain Historic Museum and Pioneer Village, ☏ +1 575 682-2932. Located on 2.7 acres, there are two museum buildings plus eleven buildings in the pioneer village. 
• The Lodge, toll-free: +1-800-395-6343. One of the highest altitude golf courses in the nation. 18-hole golf course. 
• Ponderos Pines Golf Course, 878 Cox Canyon Highway, ☏ +1 575 682-2566. Nine-hole golf course. 
• Zenith Park. The west end has ice skating (and rentals), during the winter. 

Buy

Burro Avenue has several lovely shops featuring friendly service.

• Instant Karma, 302 Burro Ave, ☏ +1 575-682-2651. Wonderful yoga-studio and shopping experience for clothing, accessories and books. 

Eat

• Rebecca's at The Lodge., One Corona Place, ☏ +1-866-595-6343. Exquisite dining featuring wonderful chefs, live pianists, old-fashion feel, beautiful views and, a rich and mysterious history. 
• Big Daddy's Diner, 1750 James Canyon. A local favorite with a laid back atmosphere. 
• Jamocha Bean Coffee House & Cafe', 505 Burro Ave. (south end of the Burro Street Exchange), ☏ +1 575-682-2332. Fresh coffees, espressos, cappuccinos and smoothies. Very good sandwiches and desserts made on the premises. The grill closes at 3:00, earlier on Sunday, but coffees and desserts are available until closing. Comfortable environment and free wireless, but you'll have to ask for the key. 

Drink

• The Western Bar and Restaurant, 300 Burro Ave, ☏ +1 575 682-2445. Friendly staff, friendly locals and the local watering hole. 

Sleep

There are a variety of places to sleep in Cloudcroft.

B&B

• Burro Street Boarding House, 608 Burro Ave, toll-free: +1-888-682-3601. A log home overlooking Cloudcroft. Queen beds, private bathroom. $89 a night. 
• The Crofting, 300 Swallow Pl, toll-free: +1-877-682-3604. An old boarding house nestled into the forest. $89 - $129. 
• Waterfall Lodge, 56 Lodge Spring Rd, ☏ +1 575 682-5454. Six miles outside of Cloudcroft in the forest. $127 - $1255 (whole lodge). 

Cabins

• Alpine Alcove, ☏ +1 575 647-9778. Modified A-Frame cabin, sleeps 6. Two bedrooms, two baths, washer and dryer. $95 - $150. 
• Bear County Cabins, 108 Curlew Pl, ☏ +1 575 682-3298. Duplex cabins, $95. 
• Bear Lake Premier Cabins, Bear Lake, Garden City, Utah, ☏ +1 435 565-6006. Eagles Roost sleeps 24 people (28 max). Unlimited parking in the summer months next to the cabin and parking for up to 8 cars/trucks including trailers in the winter where there is parking in a lower area designated specifically for Eagles Roost. 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3 levels. 6,200 square feet. $999 daily. (updated Nov 2019)
• Cabins at Cloudcroft, toll-free: +1-800-248-7967. Offers a variety of cabins ranging in capacity from 2 - 10. $125 - $315. 
• Daisy's Lodge, 43 Silver Cloud Dr, toll-free: +1-888-543-3600. $145. 
• High Rolls Hideaway, ☏ +1 575 682-2953. Mountainside cottage, one bedroom, one bath, kitchen. Wifi available, comfortably sleeps 4. Open year round. $110 per night, 2 night minimum (3 on holidays). 
• Quality Times Cabin LLC, ☏ +1 575 921-6878. Mountain cabins. $95 - $150. 
• Spruce Cabins, toll-free: +1-877-682-2381. Offers a variety of cabins, one of which is handicap accessible. $60 - $175. 

Hotels & Motels

• Alta Vista Chalet Motel, 1605 Highway 82, ☏ +1 575 682-2221. Offers six different rooms holding up to eight people each. 
• Summit Inn, toll-free: +1-877-682-2814. One block away from downtown Cloudcroft. $49 - $97. 

Resort

• The Lodge, toll-free: +1-800-395-6343. One Corona Place. $115 - $325. 

Stay safe

Abandoned railroad trestle, Lincoln National Forest

Most of Cloudcroft is above 9000 ft and one of the most likely problems is Altitude sickness. One should also understand the risks of mountain forest were there are wild animals and potential harmful/poisonous plants. Emergency services use the standard 911 system.

Go next

• Lincoln National Forest, +1 575 434-7200, . It has hiking, camping galore, horse back riding, biking, four wheeling, hunting, cross country skiing, inner-tube rides, skating, and snow-mobiles!