Ruidoso Summer Activities | Family Outdoor Adventures | Ruidoso.com
Cree Meadows

A Ruidoso summer is like no other! The weather in the serene village stays warm and partly cloudy throughout the summer months, making it the perfect place to spend time outside.

In fact, daily high temperatures are around 78 degrees and rarely dip below 69 degrees or exceed 88 degrees. So how can you take full advantage of these spectacular weather conditions? Check out some of these trendy ideas! 

Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park     

Calling all amateur anglers! OK, this spot is perfect for both rookie and expert fishermen alike, but the “catch” (figuratively and literally!) is that you are guaranteed to catch at least one trout, or your visit is free! How can you beat that? The cost is 80 cents per inch of fish caught and they even provide poles, bait, and a bucket to hold your stock. 

Even better, they clean and bag the fish for you and even provide some fabulous recipes for how to cook up your catch! Fishing not your fancy? For more family fun, rent a pedal boat and take a relaxing ride around Seeping Springs. 

The RV Park has 50 full-hookup sites with access to water, sewer, electricity, cable, and WiFi. The entire location is surrounded by mature trees and foliage. Campers can rent spaces by the day, week, or month, and many visitors stay for the entire summer. 

110 Seeping Springs Rd, Ruidoso Downs
575-378-4216
seepingspringsfishing.com

More places to fish: Fish for rainbow trout at Grindstone Lake and Alto Lake (which has a special fishing area just for the kids), as well as Rio Ruidoso. Inn of the Mountain Gods also offers fishing for trout at Lake Mescalero. 

Topgolf at the Inn Golfer at TopGolf at Inn of the Mountain Gods.

On the second floor of Inn of the Mountain Gods, you will find an exceptional electronic golfing experience. The Topgolf Swing Suite has two golfing simulator bays with special effects that will make you feel like you are really on the green! 

Beyond golf, there are options for multi-sport games like target practice, dodgeball, hockey, baseball, and other classic carnival-type games. Head online to reserve your suite for $40 per hour on weekdays and $60 per hour on weekends. While there, check out their appetizer and snack menu! 

innofthemountaingods.com/topgolf-swing-suite

Cree Meadows Public Golf Course

This stunning golf course is open to the public for affordable daily rates and residents can buy a membership at several different levels. Although the course itself can be challenging in terms of difficulty level, the terrain makes for a relatively easy walk. 

A huge draw for golfers is the signature 17th hole: a 140-yard, par 3 (par meaning the score that an expert player would be expected to make for a given hole under ordinary weather conditions) requiring a tee shot over the water onto a small elevated green. While at the course, take some time to visit the lounge, restaurant, and the pro shop loaded with everything you need, including equipment, attire, or some friendly advice before teeing off. Catch you on legendary hole 17! 

creemeadowsruidoso.com

Disc GolfA hole at Disc Golf

Disc golf is a popular activity with naturally beautiful playing courses found scattered throughout Ruidoso and beyond. In this game, participants aim to throw a flying disc into a circular basket, (typically made of metal chains). 

Discs are heavier than Frisbees and differ depending on the shot you are attempting. Courses commonly range from 9 to 18 holes at a distance of 60 to 150 meters. Not only is this an inexpensive sport to play, but also fun for all ages. 

Check out the variety of course types at Wingfield Park, Grindstone Lake, Ski Apache, Inn of the Mountain Gods, and Moon Mountain Recreation Area. You can shop for disc golf equipment at Happy Hiker in Midtown.

Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake

This fun attraction just five miles from Midtown made its debut in 2019 and is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Wibit Water Park is filled with the excitement of a water park but has added amenities such as picnicking, fishing, disc golf, and more. The water park section is made up of giant inflatable and floating platforms including slides, towers, trampolines, ramps, bridges, and pretty much any other contraption you can imagine – all for a $20 daily visitor pass! 

Their website contains more information and pricing regarding private events, birthday party packages, and group tickets. There is a daily per car fee of $10 to park at Grindstone Lake, which also offers fishing, boating and boat rentals, hiking, and mountain biking (the Village of Ruidoso has even set up a mountain bike repair station on the trail).

ruidosoparksandrec.com/news-information/wibit-water-park-at-grindstone-lake

BicyclingBike Rental shop

Put your pedal to the metal while biking your way around Ruidoso! You can take a relaxing ride on easy streets or choose to go mountain biking on trails at Grindstone Lake, Cedar Creek, or Ski Apache. There are a couple of ways you can get your wheels. The first is directly from Ruidoso Parks and Recreation via their bike rental program. 

Bikes of various sizes and styles can be rented for half a day (4 hours) for $25 or a full day (8 hours) for $40. Also, the Board House and Bike Shop on Mechem Drive can fulfill all your rental and repair needs. 

They have a new selection of electric bikes (e-bikes) on their showroom floor. E-bikes have an electric motor that can be used to assist when the driver is pedaling. Go ahead and get rolling!  

Ruidoso Parks and Recreation
ruidosoparksandrec.com/news-information/2018/11/13/new-ruidoso-parks-and-recreation-mountain-bike-rental-program

Board House and Bike Shop
facebook.com/boardhouseandbikeshop/

Pedal Boats

If bicycles are not your type of pedaling device, try your hand at two- and four-seater pedal boats on Mescalero Lake at Inn of the Mountain Gods. They also have rowboats, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards ranging from $30 to $40 for 30-minute rental increments. 

Check out their website for the most up-to-date discounted pricing for combination activities, “buy one, get one free” promotions, as well as information on reservation requirements. Boaters must be 14 years of age or older to ride alone. For persons under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a liability waiver.

Information at innofthemountaingods.com/activities/lake-activities/

Hiking

When surrounded by a national forest, you’ll want to take time to wander into the woods and feel enveloped by nature. There are many options in the area, starting with trails right in the Midtown area. Driving the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, you’ll find trailheads you can explore and stretch your legs. 

In addition, Grindstone Lake and Cedar Creek’s trails are both popular. Find more trails near Ruidoso to explore on Alltrails.com.

Horseback riding

Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years, Grindstone Stables in Ruidoso offers a wide range of horse-related activities, including horseback rides, sleigh rides, and carriage rides.

Guided trail rides are an hour long and offered for those ages 5 and older. The trail takes riders past Grindstone Lake and up to the top of Townsend Ridge, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife and capture great photos.

“The views from our trail are breathtaking, looking out over the village and Sierra Blanca,” said Stephanie Kennedy, who owns Grindstone Stables with her husband, Kevin. “Our horses are gentle and fit, and our guides are friendly. Customer service and safety are our priority.”

Covered carriage rides through the shopping district of midtown Ruidoso are offered only in the summer. Horse-drawn sleigh rides go through the historic Upper Canyon and are offered Thanksgiving Day through January 1. Jingle bells are included, and snow is not required. The sleighs are equipped with hidden wheels that roll smoothly on dry or wet pavement.

Information at grindstonestables.com

Pickleball

Ruidoso Pickleball Club players play at White Mountain Recreation Complex, 687 Hull Rd. #659, from 9 a.m. to noon every day. During the winter, play moves indoors to Horton Gym, 134 Reese Dr., operated by the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department. You can play at Alto Lake’s Country Club with the Outlaw Pickleball Club as a guest of a member.

There are 222 club members in the Ruidoso Pickleball Club! Contact [email protected] for information.

 

Simply being outdoors has been linked to improving your overall health and well-being. It can improve your mood, focus, and immune system as well as lower your blood pressure and overall stress levels. Enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities the Village of Ruidoso has to offer all while you take in that fresh mountain air!

Story by Desiree Bustamantes

Photos by Desiree Bustamantes and Cheryl Fallstead

Horseback Riding section by Alexia Severson from Neighbors magazine

Pickleball section by Rob McCorkle from Neighbors magazine

Posted by Ruidoso.com

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