Explore Off the Beaten Track on the Billy the Kid Trail, New Mexico

Billy the Kid there was a time in history when just mentioning his name would send everyone running for cover. In his short life he made a name for himself, although it is the type of name most would not want, bigger then men who lived three times as long as he did.

Come and explore off the beaten track, back to the time of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett to the place of their final encounter. To the time when gunmen and lawmen fought for control of the west.

The Billy the Kid Trail is part of the one million acre Lincoln National Forest In New Mexico. One can go the entire length of the trail in one day, unless you decide to stay at some of the places longer. The first stop on your off the beaten track adventure is Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico. They have a tourist center just for the Billy The Kid Byway Trail and any time you are going to explore new ground, the tourist center is the first place you should come. They will give you all the guidance, proved maps and all the advice you need for a successful trip. They are also home to the Hubbard Museum of the American West.

Lincoln State Monument, Lincoln New Mexico This will really take you back in time. It is much like it was back in the 1880's, when Billy the Kid made history by breaking out of jail and killing two deputies. More museums and they have special events going on all the time, so check their web site and see what will be going on when you take your trip.

Smokey Bear Museum and Park,102 Smokey Bear Blvd. Capitan, NM. New Mexico is the home of Smokey Bear, the real cub that was saved by a fire back in 1950. This one is an important stop. It reminds us of the precautions that we have to take when we decided to explore off the beaten track in our National Forests.

The Billy the Kid Trail ends at the Fort Stanton Reservation Located along NM-220. Fort Stanton was built in the 1850's as a calvary outpost and was home to the famous Buffalo Soldiers. Fort Stanton is now a women's prison, but the rest of the reservation has caves to explore, trails to hike and it has excellent camp grounds.