Lincoln reveals itself through two distinctive themes: layers of history and natural features whose scale can be expressed in numbers. The Lincoln Historic Site preserves the town as it was in 1880; the Malpais lava flow in the Valley of Fires formed about 5,000 years ago and covers 125 square miles. These different measures of time and area offer different directions for your exploration—from historic buildings to geological landscapes.
History at Different Scales
The Lincoln Historic Site includes 17 historic buildings. Among them is San Juan Chapel, a frontier-era church. This places an entire historic ensemble alongside a single building with a distinct context. Tunstall Store also has a special landmark status: it is listed in both the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Cultural Properties.
A state press release dated July 8, 2025, documents Old Lincoln Days as an annual event featuring historical reenactments, a parade, and the pageant “The Last Escape of Billy the Kid.” At Fort Stanton, museum educators offer insight into the fort’s history with a nine-minute film. They also provide a map of the parade grounds marking the buildings and exhibits open to the public. The film and map offer two different ways to get your bearings: a brief historical overview and a spatial overview of the marked locations.
Caves, Lava, and Landscape
Fort Stanton Cave has more than 56 miles of mapped passages. Snowy River is the longest cave formation in the world. The figures use different measures: the first refers to mapped passages, while the superlative describes a single formation. This distinction is useful for cave enthusiasts because it separates the extent of a passage system from the exceptional length of a formation.
In the Valley of Fires, the Malpais lava flow formed during an eruption about 5,000 years ago and covers 125 square miles. The Malpais Nature Trail crosses the lava; it is paved and offers accessible access. The area figure conveys the scale of the lava flow, while the trail provides a specific way to explore the lava along a path.
The Valley of Fires offers camping and day use. Of the campsites, 13 have 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups as well as water hookups. Two RV sites and the restrooms are accessible; there are also showers and a dump station for RVs. If you’re planning a stay there, you can choose between a day visit and camping without assuming that all campsites have the same amenities.
Open Spaces and Outdoor Activities
Along the Billy the Kid Byway, snowcapped peaks, winding rivers, orchards, and ranchland form the scenic backdrop. Lincoln County offers opportunities for hiking and biking in the Sierra Blanca Mountains, as well as fishing and camping by rivers and lakes. In winter, the county offers skiing and scenic drives. Ski Apache is a 750-acre ski area owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The activities described range from exploring the mountains and waterways to winter pursuits.
At Smokey Bear Historical Park, nature and remembrance come together. The park offers Junior Ranger and Little Ranger programs. The Wildland Fallen Firefighter Memorial honors more than 30 wildland firefighters who lost their lives fighting wildfires in New Mexico. The programs and the memorial give the park different areas of focus: activities for young rangers and a place of remembrance.
Practical Information
If your trip includes traveling via SBRA, airport operations there may also be relevant to your planning. SBRA’s full-service fixed-base operator offers fuel, aircraft and vehicle parking, aircraft towing, and two car rental agencies. Because municipal airport services can change, check operational details before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Nogal, Carrizozo, Alto, Bernalillo, Luna.
For the main travel overview: New Mexico.
