The 180 acre canyon was an early Apache stronghold, and records show that at least five major battles occurred in the area between government troops and Mescalero Apaches. For many centuries, visitors have been drawn to this place of surprising beauty. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is located 12 miles south of Alamogordo via US 54. Lincoln National Forest Alamogordo is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains and the 1,103,441 acre Lincoln National Forest . Elevations of 4,000 to 11,500 feet pass through five different life zones from chihuahuan desert to sub-alpine forest.
Vegetation ranges from rare cacti in the lower elevations to blue spruce in the highest areas.
All areas of Lincoln National Forest not reserved for specific use are available for a wide variety of recreational activities including picnicking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, trail bike riding, sightseeing, fishing, hunting, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and showshoeing. The downtown business district offers a unique western motif boardwalk with a variety of retail shops, art studios and cafes. The historic Lodge Hotel was constructed in 1899 and still is in use. Surrounded by more than one million acres of Lincoln National Forest , Cloudcroft has one of the highest golf courses, southern-most ski areas in North America and miles of trails for hiking, biking and sight seeing. At the lofty elevation of 9,000 feet, Cloudcroft's climate is tempered by its southern location.