Alamogordo is the county seat of Otero County in New Mexico. You will find the city in the Chihuahuan Desert's Tularosa Basin. Alamogordo is well-known for its role in the 1945 Trinity test, the world's first atomic bomb explosion. It was established as a company town in the late 19th century to aid in the construction of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad.
Initially, cutting down trees for railroad ties was its primary industry. The railroad founders were also eager to locate a significant town that would endure once the railroad was finished. To develop the area, they established the Alamogordo Improvement Company, which made Alamogordo an early example of a planned community. The Alamogordo Improvement Company owned all the land used to construct the first residences and businesses. It served as an unofficial research hub for pilot safety and the growing American space program during the 1950s and 1960s. With the establishment of the White Sands National Park in 1933, tourism became a significant economic factor.
Today, a golf course, an adult center and the Alamogordo Public Library are just a few recreational and leisure amenities the city has to offer. You can visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History to learn about the city's history. The Cottonwood Festival, the White Sands Film Festival, and Hamfest are a few regional events you can enjoy in this city. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and the Lincoln National Forest are not far from Alamogordo.
Campgrounds Near Alamogordo, New Mexico
Visit the pet-friendly Sunny Acres RV Park, an hour and 10 minutes southwest of Alamogordo. The facility has a meeting room that groups can use and a shower. Additionally, the Wi-Fi signal is strong and accessible throughout the entire park. There are 92 full-hookup, back-in and pull-through campsites. There is a minimum nightly charge of $40, and laundry services are provided.
Enjoy one of the 113 back-in and pull-through campsites at Hacienda RV Resort, an hour and 10 minutes southwest of Alamogordo. There is also free Wi-Fi on-site, and the park has partnered with nearby restaurants to offer exclusive discounts. You will love the hair dryers and private showers in the restrooms at this campground. RV repairs are also available. The park charges $45 per night and allows pets.
You can also camp at one of the 33 full-hookup, back-in and pull-through sites at Coachlight Inn & RV Park, an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Alamogordo. You will appreciate the free Wi-Fi and strong cell signal at this campground. Your pets are welcome here. Other amenities available include laundry services and showers.
State Parks Near Alamogordo, New Mexico
Tour Leasburg Dam State Park, an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Alamogordo. Go on short hikes, many of which lead to xeriscape gardens. You will enjoy joining the monthly stargazing events at the observatory. In the park, you can observe birds like the white-winged dove, house sparrow, house finch, white-crowned sparrow and northern mockingbird. In this year-round park, you can also go swimming and fishing. Visit one of the 24 public campsites that can accommodate RVs ranging from 15 to 40 feet.
Drive about an hour and 20 minutes southwest of Alamogordo into Texas to get to Franklin Mountains State Park. You will have the chance to see animals like mule deer, squirrels, coyotes and mountain lions. Golden eagles are just one of the many types of birds you can see at this park, which has over 100 species. Enjoy hiking and biking on the 100 miles of trails that wind through the breathtaking terrain, home to yucca and cactus plants. You will adore rock climbing at Sneed's Cory or McKelligon Canyon. Pets are welcome, but they must always be kept on leashes.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park is two hours and five minutes northwest of Alamogordo and has a 40,000-acre lake in which visitors can swim. Fishing is also popular as the lake is stocked with catfish, trout and bass. You can rent pontoons and kayaks for paddling around the water. Enjoy picnicking in the park, and bring your camera as Elephant Butte Lake is an excellent spot for bird-watching. It's also possible to rent cabins and yurts overnight. The trails available make it possible to enjoy horseback riding and mountain biking during your visit.
National Sites Near Alamogordo, New Mexico
Visit Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, about an hour and 55 minutes northwest of Alamogordo. Explore the structures that were built in the 1600s, such as the Gran Quivira, Abó and Quarai ruins. There are also many historical artifacts, like pottery shards and tools, which you can observe at the visitor's center. The monument preserves the archaeological remains of three Spanish mission churches, a convent and kivas built by the Native American tribes of the Salinas area. It also features two modern churches and a cemetery. Enjoy walking along the trails that lead to sites where you can learn about the spiritual and cultural practices of the Native Americans that lived in this area.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is four hours and 15 minutes northwest of Alamogordo and features ancient dwellings built by the Mogollon people. You will have a 13th-century experience exploring the five caves in a picturesque canyon. Discover wildlife like Gila monsters and black bears along the trails. Two short self-guided tours within the monument provide RVers with information about the Mogollon people who built there. The site also features a campground accommodating RVs up to 40 feet long.
Discover the protected sacred symbols at Petroglyph National Monument, three hours and 15 minutes northwest of Alamogordo. The monument features over 24,000 images that Native Americans and Spanish settlers carved into rocks and boulders centuries ago. You can observe the carvings by joining a ranger-led tour or taking a self-guided hike along the Boca Negra Trail. You can explore the five volcanic cones at the monument, and there are also plenty of hiking trails. Enjoy the stunning sunset views from the site, and stay at the nearby campground, which can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet in length.
National Forests Near Alamogordo, New Mexico
Lincoln National Forest is an hour and 10 minutes southeast of Alamogordo and features stunning mountain views and dense forests. Head over to the Cloudcroft area for camping, picnicking and hiking. You will enjoy driving through the winding roads leading to the highest peak in southern New Mexico. The site is also filled with trails, such as the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, the Rough Canyon Trail and the Valley of Fires Recreation Area. You can go skiing and sledding in the Ski Apache area in the winter.
Gila National Forest, five hours and 10 minutes northwest of Alamogordo, is the home of the Gila Wilderness. This wilderness is the first officially designated wilderness area in the United States. You will find amazing sights, such as hot springs and ancient cliff dwellings, while you explore the site. Hike to the top of Mogollon Baldy Peak, and admire stunning mountain vistas. Enjoy fishing, camping, or rafting on the Gila, San Francisco, and Mimbres Rivers. El Caso Lookout Tower at the top of Whitewater Baldy Mountain is a must-see, providing some of the best views in the area.
Drive four and a half hours north of Alamogordo to explore Santa Fe National Forest and its four wilderness areas. The area is filled with trails, campgrounds and rivers. You can hike the 15-mile-wide crater of the Jemez Caldera and witness colorful wonders like turquoise lakes, hot springs and vibrant foliage. Enjoy fishing in the Vallecitos and Abiquiu Lakes, or explore the archaeological sites of the Puye Cliff Dwellings. There is also plenty of wildlife in the area, such as birds, elk and deer. You will also see aspens and meadows as you hike through the wilderness.
