On its eastern slopes is the Ski Apache downhill ski area, which has a vertical rise of 1,800 feet and lots of powder skiing. This historic region is located in the San Francisco Mountains, southweast of Albuquerque, and a half-day's drive from Las Cruces. Nearby communities include Cloudcroft and Alamogordo. Ruidoso, a town that is synonymous with quarter horses, is located thirty-five miles southwest of Lincoln. A full season of quarter horse and thoroughbred racing is staged each summer, with horse sales taking place several times during the summer and fall.
Bleacher seating is free.
The museum is open daily and a fee is charged. The Lincoln National Forest straddles the Sacramento Mountains, offering recreational opportunities. This park commemorates the original Smokey, a local forest resident who survived a fire and became famous as the symbol of forest fire prevention. Smokey died in 1976 and was buried in nearby Capitan. The park visitor center has exhibits on the beloved ursine and on forest firefighting.