Ruidoso, New Mexico · Lincoln County · Facility
This lookout, a 30 foot high steel tower with a wooden cab 14 feet square, is an Aermotor MI-25 type. This type of lookout is unusual and rare in the Southwestern Region, with only one other known, located on the Gila National Forest. Ruidoso Lookout was erected in 1940 and is on the Smoky Bear Ranger District.Access t…
Live forecast for the park. Plan your visit accordingly.
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
This lookout, a 30 foot high steel tower with a wooden cab 14 feet square, is an Aermotor MI-25 type. This type of lookout is unusual and rare in the Southwestern Region, with only one other known, located on the Gila National Forest. Ruidoso Lookout was erected in 1940 and is on the Smoky Bear Ranger District.Access to the tower site is by foot traffic only with access to the tower itself being closed to the public.
Heading to Ruidoso Lookout? A few things to know before you go:
Photo: Sergei AkulichNew Mexico's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: David MarcuSteep is hard. These are the ten New Mexico trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Sergei AkulichTen gentle, well-marked New Mexico trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Tobias MrzykNew Mexico's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoFederal parks and recreation areas in New Mexico ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichNew Mexico's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.