Ruidoso, Mountain resort village in Lincoln County, New Mexico.
Ruidoso sits at 2051 meters (6729 feet) elevation in the Sierra Blanca range, surrounded by dense pine forest of the Lincoln National Forest. Streets follow steep slopes and narrow valleys, with wooden houses and lodges scattered among the trees.
A small settlement formed around Captain Paul Dowlin's mill in the late 19th century and grew slowly over the following decades. The place developed into a known mountain destination after 1935 as tourism in the New Mexico highlands increased.
The Mescalero Apache Tribe maintains strong connections with Ruidoso through the operation of Ski Apache and regular cultural exchanges within the community.
Winter visitors find numerous ski slopes at Ski Apache, while summer guests can use hiking trails and recreation areas throughout the national forest. The mountain climate brings cold winters with snow and mild summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
The Rio Ruidoso flows through the village and creates a constant rushing sound that gave the place its Spanish name. The water jumps over rocks and forms small cascades between houses and shops along the main street.
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