Lincoln – History, Caves and Wide-Ranging Landscapes

Lincoln is a destination for anyone who wants to combine historic sites with unusual landscapes and a wide range of experiences. The focal point is the Lincoln Historic Site: It preserves the location as it was in 1880 and includes 17 historic buildings. The site also includes San Juan Chapel, a frontier church from the pioneer era. Anyone interested in the history of the American West can gain a tangible connection here to a preserved historic townscape.

History, Remembrance and Special Events

History in Lincoln is made visible through more than just individual buildings. Old Lincoln Days takes place annually and combines reenactments of historic events with a parade and the pageant “The Last Escape of Billy the Kid”. Tunstall Store is listed in both the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Cultural Properties. At Smokey Bear Historical Park, Junior Ranger and Little Ranger programs offer additional points of interest for younger visitors. The Wildland Fallen Firefighter Memorial there honors more than 30 wildland firefighters who lost their lives while fighting wildfires in New Mexico.

Fort Stanton also complements the historic impressions with practical guidance for visitors. Museum interpreters show a 9-minute film about the fort’s history. A map of the parade ground is also available, marking the buildings and exhibits open to the public. This allows visitors to tailor their stay to their own interests without reducing the history of the site to a single building.

Caves, Lava and Landscapes

The landscape around Lincoln County provides a clear contrast to the historic themes. Fort Stanton Cave has more than 56 miles of mapped passages. Snowy River is the longest cave formation in the world. These two facts reveal the geological scale of the region without requiring speleology and cultural history to be confused with one another.

Another defining landscape experience is the Malpais lava flow in Valley of Fires. It was formed by an eruption approximately 5,000 years ago and covers an area of 125 square miles. The Malpais Nature Trail crosses the lava and is paved and accessible with limited barriers. Valley of Fires also offers camping and day use. There, 13 campsites have 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups as well as water hookups; two RV sites and the toilets are accessible with limited barriers. Showers and a dump station for RVs round out the facilities.

Active Days and Varied Travel Ideas

Lincoln County offers opportunities for hiking and cycling in the Sierra Blanca Mountains. Rivers and lakes provide opportunities for fishing and camping. In winter, skiing and scenic drives are added to the options. Ski Apache is a 750-acre ski area owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Anyone planning a more active day can also include Apache Wind Rider, a three-part zipline course more than 8,900 feet long.

The Billy the Kid Byway offers a special perspective on the landscape: Snow-covered peaks, winding rivers, orchards and ranchland form the backdrop. For air travelers, SBRA’s full-service fixed-base operator offers fuel, aircraft and vehicle parking, aircraft towing and two rental car agencies.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Pace

When searching for a holiday rental in Lincoln, you can make the desired focus of your trip the starting point. Anyone wishing to gather historic impressions can include the Lincoln Historic Site, Old Lincoln Days, Tunstall Store or Fort Stanton in their plans. For those interested in nature and geology, Fort Stanton Cave, Snowy River and Valley of Fires take center stage. Anyone wanting to combine activity and scenery can consider hiking, cycling, winter sports or a drive along the Billy the Kid Byway. The accommodation should suit the pace of travel you prefer for your group – with intensive days of excursions, cultural discoveries or a varied mix.

For further orientation, you can also discover Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Nogal, Carrizozo and Alto. Other pages in the same broader area are Valencia and Quay.

For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.