Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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suggestions; also contact
Gila Hike and Bike
(
&
575/388-3222
) in Silver City for rent-
als as well as guidebooks to riding in the Gila National Forest.
BIRD
WATCHING
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
(
&
575/622-6755), north-
east of Roswell, is particularly good for watching migratory waterfowl, and
Bluff Springs
(
&
575/682-2551), south of Cloudcroft, is popular with turkeys and hummingbirds. If
you find turkey vultures particularly fascinating,
Rattlesnake Springs
(
&
575/785-
2232), south of Carlsbad, is the place to go.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife
Refuge
(
&
575/835-1828) is a refuge for migratory waterfowl such as snow geese and
cranes. It's 16 miles south of Socorro.
North Monticello Point
(
&
575/744-5421), on
Elephant Butte Lake, is a great place to see pelicans, bald eagles, and a variety of water-
fowl, while
Water Canyon
(
&
575/854-2281), 14 miles west of Socorro, in the
Cíbola
National Forest,
is home to golden eagles. In recent years, the
Gila National Forest
(
&
575/388-8201) has become quite popular with birders. Guests at the
Bear Moun-
tain Lodge
(
&
877/620-BEAR [2327] or 575/538-2538; www.bearmountainlodge.
com) benefit from an on-site naturalist and occasional birding tours. In the Gila, my
favorite birding spot is
Lake Roberts,
where hummingbirds abound.
BOATING
Boating, water-skiing, jet-skiing, and sailing are permitted at
Carlsbad
Municipal Park,
which runs through town for just over a mile along the west bank of
Lake Carlsbad. The lake also has a beach that's open to swimmers.
Brantley Lake State
Park
(
&
575/457-2384
), 15 miles north of Carlsbad, is popular with windsurfers,
who favor its consistent desert winds. In the Gila National Forest, both
Lake Roberts
(
&
575/536-2250
), about 40 miles north of Silver City, on NM 15, and
Snow Lake
(
&
575/533-6231
), north on US 180 from Silver City, and then east on NM 159, allow
boating. Lake Roberts features motorboat rentals, whereas Snow Lake only permits
canoes, rowboats, and other boats without gas motors.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park
(
&
575/744-5923
) boasts the largest body of water in New Mexico. The lake is 43 miles
long and popular with boating enthusiasts. Three ramps provide boating access to the
lake, and there are launching areas for smaller vessels. (To find information on New
Mexico state parks, go to www.nmparks.com.)
FISHING
Bonito Lake
and
Rio Ruidoso
are popular destinations for trout fishing.
The scenic
Oasis State Park
(
&
575/356-5331
) just north of Portales, also offers fish-
ing.
Caballo Lake State Park
(
&
575/743-3942
), about 18 miles south of Truth or
Consequences, offers smallmouth and largemouth bass, stripers, bluegill, crappie, catfish,
and walleye fishing in its 11,500-acre lake.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park
(
&
575/
744-5923
), also near Truth or Consequences, is another great fishing location. Look
to catch white bass, black bass, catfish, walleye, crappie, and stripers here.
Lake Roberts
(
&
575/536-2250
), about 40 miles north of Silver City in the Gila National Forest, is
prime rainbow trout fishing waters. A fishing license and habitat stamp are both required.
You'll find fly-fishing in the
Gila River
year-round, but the best seasons are spring and
fall. Mainly rainbow trout swim these waters, with catfish on the lower Gila. For more
information, contact the
New Mexico Game and Fish Department
(
&
505/476-8000;
www.wildlife.state.nm.us).
GOLF
This region has plenty of golfing opportunities. In Ruidoso,
Cree Meadows
Country Club,
Country Club Drive, off Sudderth Drive (
&
575/257-5815; www.
playcreemeadows.com), is an 18-hole public course. Also public in the Ruidoso area are
the 18-hole courses at the
Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino,
287 Carrizo
Canyon Rd. (
&
800/545-6040 or 575/464-4100; www.innofthemountaingods.com);
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