De Baca County: History and Waterways

History and landscape give a trip to De Baca County different points of interest: in Fort Sumner, traces lead to Billy the Kid, and at Sumner Lake, the Pecos River and Alamogordo Creek meet. Those who enjoy combining historic sites with river and lake themes will find different starting points here for planning their trip.

Fort Sumner and the History of Billy the Kid

The Billy the Kid Museum is located in Fort Sumner on Highway 60-84, two miles east of downtown. Items on display include Billy the Kid’s rifle, chaps, and spurs, as well as the original wanted poster and locks of hair. The museum also displays more than 150 firearms of different ages. Visitors can therefore encounter this history not just through a name, but also through specific objects from the museum’s collection.

Billy the Kid was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett and buried in Fort Sumner. His grave is in the old military cemetery, between the graves of his companions Tom O’Folliard and Charlie Bowdre. Visiting the grave is free; check current visiting conditions before your trip.

Other historical points of interest include the De Baca County Courthouse, designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and a plaque at the site of the Maxwell House in Fort Sumner. A courthouse with a named architectural style and a marked site offer different ways to explore local history.

Bosque Redondo: History and Remembrance

The history of Bosque Redondo is also connected with forced displacement and internment. In 1863, about 10,000 Navajos were forced to make the roughly 450-mile “Long Walk” across New Mexico to the Bosque Redondo Reservation, H’weeldi. Hundreds of Mescalero Apaches were also interned there. The scale of the march and the experiences of both communities give this historical subject particular significance.

A Traveler’s Shrine was established in Fort Sumner in February 1971 with a Blessing Way ceremony and stones from the homeland. The date, ceremony, and stones brought from home connect this site with a specific cultural history. The Bosque Redondo Memorial visitor parking lot has two designated accessible parking spaces. Check current official guidance before your visit.

The 2026 event calendar lists the Bosque Redondo Memorial Fiber Fair as an annual event. Food is also part of the fair experience. If you plan to attend, check the current dates before making plans.

Pecos River, Sumner Lake, and Trails

The Pecos River flows about 250 yards from the foot of Sumner Dam within the park boundary before entering private ranchland. The approximate distance and the transition at the boundary describe the landscape in specific spatial terms. Sumner Lake is located where the Pecos River and Alamogordo Creek meet. The river and lake thus offer different geographical points of interest for anyone interested in the area’s waterways. In Fort Sumner, you can also walk along the historic Pecos River.

The two trails described differ mainly in their length and route. The 0.35-mile Discovery Trail connects the visitor center with the overlook to the south. The 1.7-mile Fox Run Trail begins near the Eastside Campground and loops around a narrow arm of the lake. Their lengths provide a concrete comparison for planning; the descriptions also specify different destinations and routes.

Another Chapter: Aviation History

Aviation history offers another perspective on Fort Sumner. Fort Sumner Municipal Airport was selected as a launch site for NASA’s high-altitude balloon program. Another historical episode began in the 1920s, when an airfield was built in Fort Sumner as part of a transcontinental air passenger network. When the plans failed during the Great Depression, the airfield was later abandoned. These two events represent different chapters in transportation history.

Find the Right Vacation Rental for Your Trip

When searching for a vacation rental, you can start by considering which themes you want to shape your stay. Fort Sumner offers points of interest related to the history of Billy the Kid, architecture, and cultural remembrance. The river, lake, and trails described here offer a different focus. Consider which of these interests you want to prioritize on your trip, and choose your accommodation to match the sights you plan to explore.

Discover more destinations: Fort Sumner, Mora County, Lincoln, Sierra County, Santa Fe, Otero County, Torrance County, Colfax

For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.