Ruidoso Tours is located in southeastern New Mexico in Ruidoso, an area known for it’s scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and rich history. We provide a series of tours in the Ruidoso and Lincoln County area and also with with other area providers to put together great and convienient oppurtunities for a visitors to the area.

One of the most famous historical figures associated with Ruidoso is Billy the Kid. Born as Henry McCarty in 1859, he was an infamous outlaw and gunfighter who terrorized the American Southwest during the late 19th century. Today, visitors can learn about Billy the Kid at the Lincoln County Heritage Trust Museum in nearby Lincoln.

Another well-known historical figure associated with Ruidoso is Smokey Bear. The beloved character, known for promoting wildfire prevention, was rescued from a fire in the nearby Lincoln National Forest in 1950 and became the face of the national “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” campaign. Visitors can learn about Smokey Bear’s history and the history of wildfire prevention at the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan, just a short drive from Ruidoso.

Another point of interest for many visitors to Ruidoso is the nearby Roswell Alien Incident. In 1947, a strange object crashed in the desert near Roswell, leading to claims of a government cover-up of an extraterrestrial event. Today, the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell offers visitors the chance to learn more about the incident and the ongoing debate surrounding it.

Ruidoso is also known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, such as the Ski Apache ski area and the nearby Mescalero Apache Tribe’s Inn of the Mountain Gods resort. Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, or simply looking for a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery, Ruidoso has something for everyone.

Ruidoso Downs Race Track is the crown jewel of Quarter Horse racing, famed for hosting the All American Futurity, a 440-yard dash with a $3 million purse that stands as the richest race for two-year-olds of any breed and the Quarter Horse equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. Alongside the Rainbow and Ruidoso Futurities, it anchors the sport’s Triple Crown and draws the fastest horses and top connections from across the world each Labor Day. Rising from modest post-war roots, the track gained prominence under Gene Hensley in the 1950s, was revitalized by R.D. Hubbard and Dr. Ed Allred in 1988, and later transitioned to All American Ruidoso Downs, LLC in 2017, before Johnny Trotter assumed full ownership in 2023 — ensuring the mountain track remains a global stage for Quarter Horse greatness.

So, if you’re looking for a place to call home or just a place to escape for a while, we invite you to come and see for yourself why we love Ruidoso so much.