Billy the Kid Scenic Road Trip

Follow this road trip through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest. From grassy plains to dense pine forests, the region is known for its stunning views and cool mountain climate. Visit historic Lincoln, once home to outlaw Billy the Kid and lawman Pat Garrett.

• Length: 84 miles
• Time to Allow: 2 hours to drive the road trip.

Visitor Services

• Fees: There are no fees to drive the road trip.
• Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities: Sidewalks and bicycle trails are available in some of the communities along the road trip. Some areas of the roadway also have shoulders for pedestrians.
• Camping: There are places to camp along this road trip.
• Food: There are places to buy food along this road trip.
• Gasoline: Gasoline is available.
• Information: Billy the Kid Visitor Center is located at Hwy 70 E. Ruidoso Downs. The Visitor Center in Ruidoso Downs on Hwy 70 houses a trove of information about major attractions in the area. Much of this can be found displayed in photos and text on the walls of a 1,400 square-foot gallery. The floor of the gallery has been painted with a representation of the regional highways, so visitors can walk from town to town (so-to-speak) among three-dimensional mountains that are about 18 inches high.
• Lodging: There is overnight lodging along this road trip.
• Phone: Public phones are available along this road trip.
• Restrooms: There are toilet facilities along this road trip.
• Retail: There are places to shop along this road trip.

Driving the Scenic Road Trip

There are several ways to travel this road trip. For example, you can begin the loop in Ruidoso and follow Hwy 70 to Hondo. From Hondo, take Hwy 380 to Capitan. In Capitan, get onto NM-48 and follow it back to Ruidoso.

Getting to the Road Trip

The most direct way to access the road trip from each direction:

• North: Take Hwy 54 to Carrizozo, then take Hwy 380 to Capitan.
• South: Take Hwy 54 from Alamogordo to Hwy 70 to Ruidoso.
• East: Take Hwy 70 from Roswell to Ruidoso.
• West: Take Hwy 380 from San Antonio to Capitan

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