Kicking Back in Cloudcroft

This is a town that (for the most part)has avoided tourist commercialization. It has no motel chains, no fast food chains, no big industry, and is better for it. People go to Cloudcroft to have peace and quiet. It's a great jumping off place for the center portion of the Lincoln National Forest, with all it's hiking trails and winter play areas. Because of the high elevation and cooler temperatures, Cloudcroft is a pleasant respite from the summer heat of Alamogordo and the arid plains. Golfing, hiking, trout fishing, horseback riding, skiing, snowmobiling, and sledding are all within easy reach in Cloudcroft. There are even a few shops to browse for the trinket and t-shirt crowd. Above all, Cloudcroft is a very laid back and relaxed place to go.

Quick Tips:

Rent a cabin or house with an equipped kitchen. Cloudcroft is somewhat limited as far as restaurants. Bring jackets if visiting in the summer. The nights are cool and in June and August, the daytime high may be only in the upper 70's. If money is no object, stay at The Lodge. It's a nice hotel.

Best Way To Get Around:

You'll have to drive because there is no taxi service or public transportation. Once in the town, walking is fine because there isn't that much town!

The Summit Inn is an older, 2 story, no frills motel that could use some updating, but none the less is clean and very comfortable. There are a variety of rooms (some with galley kitchens) and adjacent cabins available. The room we had was a small suite complete with a living room/kitchen area and a bedroom with a king size bed. It had a 3/4 bath (shower, no tub) and overall was a fair value for the money. The prices are inexpensive and the owners are friendly. If your not too picky and looking to save a few bucks, the Summit Inn is a good bet.

Tall Timber Cabins are mostly private individual cabins, but there are a couple duplex units. These cabins have been around a while, but are clean and well maintained. They have fully equipped kitchens, cable TV, and fireplaces. The firewood is provided, which sure is nice, instead of having to buy your own. The cabins sit on a hillside and are nestled amongst the trees in an area off the main highway, so it is nice and quiet. The decor is simple and the rooms are nicely laid out. We have used these cabins a few times and have enjoyed them each time.

The Lodge is a wonderful, elegant, historical hotel that was originally a retreat built by the railroad. The hotel now standing was built in 1911, but has been through numerous updates and renovations. The original building, built in 1899, is known as the Pavilion - now a great Bed & Breakfast at The Lodge. The decor in the Lodge is Victorian and very nicely done. The rooms range from the Honeymoon and Governor's Suites, to family-sized rooms and regular guest rooms. The Lodge has a wide variety of amenities including a golf course, swimming pool, dry sauna, hot tub, massage therapy, and mountain bike rentals in the summer; cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and innertubing in the winter. This is a great place to go for special occasions or if you just want to be pampered.

Rebecca's serves a mix of continental classics as well as Southwest cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is a raft of choices sure to please. Last time I was there, we had an excellent mountain breakfast. Eggs, hash browns and fresh-caught pan-broiled rainbow trout. My wife had pancakes with fresh berries, dusted with powdered sugar, and accompanied with thick sliced bacon. Lunch and dinner are awesome too, dinner being accompanied by music from the grand piano. The large windows give an outstanding view of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands, adding to the ambiance. The restaurant is named after the ghost of a flirtatous chambermaid that supposedly wanders the corridors, having met her demise at the hand of a jealous lover.

The Western is one of the few restaurants in Cloudcroft that serves a full menu all day. They have basic breakfasts, burgers, Mexican dishes, and typical American munchies. The locals frequent the place because it's a nice place to visit over a cold one and the service is friendly. The food is good and the portions are large. Try the nachos, loaded with all kinds of goodies. They made a meal for two of us.