CHASING BILLY THE KID AND PAT GARRETT
AROUND NEW MEXICO
Here are the best activities, locales, and sights to learn more about Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett in New Mexico:
Lincoln Historic Site
http://www.nmmonuments.org/lincoln/plan
What You Need To Know--
Location: Lincoln, NM. 12 miles east of Capitan on U.S. 380
Directions: Lincoln, NM. 12 miles east of Capitan on U.S. 380 or 10 miles west from the intersection of US 380 and US 70.
Facilities: 5 to 7 museums are open to the public, depending on the season, and most are wheelchair accessible. A small park is available for picnicking, and there is ½ mile hiking trail along the Rio Bonito. There are no service stations in Lincoln but fuel is available 12 miles west in Capitan and 10 miles east in Hondo.
Be sure to check Hours and Days of Operation before your visit.
Accessibility: All museums are wheelchair accessible except for the second floor of the Courthouse.
Photo Policy: Amateur photography is allowed inside the buildings. Professional photography is allowed with prior written approval.
Ranger Programs: Ranger talk times and titles will be posted at the Visitor Center, Courthouse Museum, and Tunstall Store.
Other Attractions near Lincoln:
Fort Stanton Historic Site
http://fortstanton.org/
What You Need to Know--
Few sites in the nation encompass the breadth of history seen at the Fort Stanton Historic Site. Early cultures lived along the Bonito River, leaving behind rich archeological evidence of human occupation. The Fort Stanton Historic Site is a must-see attraction when visiting Lincoln County. Nestled on Highway 220 that bisects the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, Fort Stanton is situated on 27 acres and surrounded by 1,300 acres of undeveloped BLM land in south-central New Mexico. There are 53 buildings on this historic site. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds of Fort Stanton State Monument at any time, year round. The annual Fort Stanton Live! event brings costumed re-enactors from the Civil War and Indian Wars era to the Fort for demonstrations, presentations, concert and a military ball which will have visitors dancing into the night! Additionally, the event brings authors, historians, photographers, artists, and a variety of historical vendors to site to share their crafts and other handiwork. Local food vendors are on hand to provide sustenance for your day at the Fort as well, so bring a healthy appetite for knowledge, food and fun.
Billy the Kid Trail National Scenic Byway
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/states/NM
What You Need to Know--
Byway Length: 84 miles / 134.4 km
Time to Allow: Plan at least 2 hours for your tour of the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway
There are no fees.
New Mexico's Billy the Kid Trail received a National Scenic Byway designation from the Federal Highway Commission in June of 1998. Billy the Kid Trail pays tribute to the infamous "Wild West" outlaw and several other western icons, including Smokey the Bear. From the Hubbard Museum of the American West, to Fort Stanton, to the Lincoln State Monument, to the Smokey Bear Museum and Park, the region promises exciting experiences filled with culture, history, and recreation. The Lincoln County area is rich in history. It has been home to Billy the Kid, the Lincoln County War, the Mescalero Apache tribe, Kit Carson, "Black Jack" Pershing, the Buffalo Soldiers, the world's richest Quarter Horse race and Smokey Bear.
Byway Interpretive Center:
791 U.S. Highway 70
Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
Phone: (575) 378-5318
Follow this byway 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.
Ruidoso dining:
http://www.billybyway.com/bywaydining.html
Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/states/NM
What You Need to Know--
Byway Length: 62.0 mi / 99.8 km
Time to Allow: Takes approximately two hours, including backtracking, to drive the byway.
Believed to be an ancient path, Turquoise Trail travels between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The natural geological formations found here are like nowhere else on Earth. See nature up-close in the Cibola National Forest and Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area. Appreciate the distinctive, artistic communities of Madrid and Los Cerrillos.
Visit more Billy the Kid sites in New Mexico
http://www.exstjames.com/
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-cerrillos.html
Address: Billy the Kid Drive, Fort Sumner, NM
Directions: Billy's real grave is three miles east of town on US Hwy 60/84, then south three miles on Billy the Kid Drive. On the right, in Old Fort Sumner Cemetery.
http://www.billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com/oldfort.html
Learn more about Billy the Kid
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/billy/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/billy/
Recommended Resources
Lincoln Historic Site
http://www.nmmonuments.org/lincoln/plan
What You Need To Know--
Location: Lincoln, NM. 12 miles east of Capitan on U.S. 380
Directions: Lincoln, NM. 12 miles east of Capitan on U.S. 380 or 10 miles west from the intersection of US 380 and US 70.
Facilities: 5 to 7 museums are open to the public, depending on the season, and most are wheelchair accessible. A small park is available for picnicking, and there is ½ mile hiking trail along the Rio Bonito. There are no service stations in Lincoln but fuel is available 12 miles west in Capitan and 10 miles east in Hondo.
Be sure to check Hours and Days of Operation before your visit.
Accessibility: All museums are wheelchair accessible except for the second floor of the Courthouse.
Photo Policy: Amateur photography is allowed inside the buildings. Professional photography is allowed with prior written approval.
Ranger Programs: Ranger talk times and titles will be posted at the Visitor Center, Courthouse Museum, and Tunstall Store.
Other Attractions near Lincoln:
- Smokey Bear Historical Park is 12 miles west in Capitan.
- The Hubbard Museum of the American West is 34 miles by U.S.380 & U.S.70 in Ruidoso Downs.
- Valley of Fires National Recreation Area is 34 miles west on U.S.380.
- The Roswell Museum and Art Center and The International U.F.O. Museum and Research Center are 57 miles east in Roswell.
- In addition Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation have between them 2 casinos, a horse racing track, 4 public golf courses, and a downhill ski resort.
- The Old Lincoln County Courthouse traces the events as a store, residence, Masonic Lodge and eventually courthouse and jail.
- The Tunstall Store's original 19th century merchandise is on display.
- The Torreon, a defensive tower, continues to stand watch in the middle of town.
- The Montano Store contains exhibits on adobe construction and the Hispanic culture that was prevalent during the Lincoln County War.
- The San Juan Mission Church is open to the public and is still used for services today.
- The Anderson-Freeman Visitors Center, the only non-historical building open to the public, has exhibits in a timeline starting with American Indian pre-history and ending with the Lincoln County War.
Fort Stanton Historic Site
http://fortstanton.org/
What You Need to Know--
Few sites in the nation encompass the breadth of history seen at the Fort Stanton Historic Site. Early cultures lived along the Bonito River, leaving behind rich archeological evidence of human occupation. The Fort Stanton Historic Site is a must-see attraction when visiting Lincoln County. Nestled on Highway 220 that bisects the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, Fort Stanton is situated on 27 acres and surrounded by 1,300 acres of undeveloped BLM land in south-central New Mexico. There are 53 buildings on this historic site. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds of Fort Stanton State Monument at any time, year round. The annual Fort Stanton Live! event brings costumed re-enactors from the Civil War and Indian Wars era to the Fort for demonstrations, presentations, concert and a military ball which will have visitors dancing into the night! Additionally, the event brings authors, historians, photographers, artists, and a variety of historical vendors to site to share their crafts and other handiwork. Local food vendors are on hand to provide sustenance for your day at the Fort as well, so bring a healthy appetite for knowledge, food and fun.
Billy the Kid Trail National Scenic Byway
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/states/NM
What You Need to Know--
Byway Length: 84 miles / 134.4 km
Time to Allow: Plan at least 2 hours for your tour of the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway
There are no fees.
New Mexico's Billy the Kid Trail received a National Scenic Byway designation from the Federal Highway Commission in June of 1998. Billy the Kid Trail pays tribute to the infamous "Wild West" outlaw and several other western icons, including Smokey the Bear. From the Hubbard Museum of the American West, to Fort Stanton, to the Lincoln State Monument, to the Smokey Bear Museum and Park, the region promises exciting experiences filled with culture, history, and recreation. The Lincoln County area is rich in history. It has been home to Billy the Kid, the Lincoln County War, the Mescalero Apache tribe, Kit Carson, "Black Jack" Pershing, the Buffalo Soldiers, the world's richest Quarter Horse race and Smokey Bear.
Byway Interpretive Center:
791 U.S. Highway 70
Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
Phone: (575) 378-5318
Follow this byway 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.
Ruidoso dining:
http://www.billybyway.com/bywaydining.html
Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/states/NM
What You Need to Know--
Byway Length: 62.0 mi / 99.8 km
Time to Allow: Takes approximately two hours, including backtracking, to drive the byway.
Believed to be an ancient path, Turquoise Trail travels between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The natural geological formations found here are like nowhere else on Earth. See nature up-close in the Cibola National Forest and Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area. Appreciate the distinctive, artistic communities of Madrid and Los Cerrillos.
Visit more Billy the Kid sites in New Mexico
- Cimarron
http://www.exstjames.com/
- Los Cerrillos
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-cerrillos.html
- Billy the Kid Museum
Address: Billy the Kid Drive, Fort Sumner, NM
Directions: Billy's real grave is three miles east of town on US Hwy 60/84, then south three miles on Billy the Kid Drive. On the right, in Old Fort Sumner Cemetery.
http://www.billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com/oldfort.html
Learn more about Billy the Kid
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/billy/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/billy/
Recommended Resources
- Book: The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, a biography and first-hand account written by Pat Garrett, sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico.
- Movies: Young Guns and Young Guns II, both movies based on the life of Billy the Kid.
- Expert: Drew Gomber, noted Billy the Kid historian and Lincoln County expert.
Read more about The Ideal Trip to New Mexico
Albuquerque
http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/
Jemez Springs
http://www.jemezsprings.org/
Roswell
https://seeroswell.com/
Santa Fe
http://santafe.org/
Taos
http://taos.org/
Albuquerque
http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/
Jemez Springs
http://www.jemezsprings.org/
Roswell
https://seeroswell.com/
Santa Fe
http://santafe.org/
Taos
http://taos.org/
