Ruidoso Lookout

Facility · New Mexico ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Lincoln National Forest (NF) · Open Access

6,948 ft
Elevation

This lookout, a 30 foot high steel tower with a wooden cab 14 feet square, is an Aermotor MI-25 type. This type of lookout is unusual and rare in the Southwestern Region, with only one other known, located on the Gila National Forest. Ruidoso Lookout was erected in 1940 and is on the Smoky Bear Ranger District.

Access to the tower site is by foot traffic only with access to the tower itself being closed to the public.

Getting there

33.33185, -105.66247 · 33°19'54.7"N 105°39'44.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in0.61.10.40.71.01.04.33.12.61.40.51.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Ruidoso Lookout

Can you reserve a site at Ruidoso Lookout?
No. Ruidoso Lookout is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Ruidoso Lookout

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.