Forest walks, waterfall spurs, railroad-grade loops, a 31-mile rim trail, and a desert-to-summit canyon climb — all within driving distance of Cloudcroft, all in the Lincoln National Forest, all free.
At 8,500–9,500 feet, "easy" is relative. Pick the right trail for your lungs, your legs, and the weather — not the one with the best name.
The easy one for almost anybody. Old railroad grade with open views and a lower-elevation feel. Year-round access.
The quietest trails on the list. Gentle old logging roads through ponderosa forest — birding, families, and solitude more than scenery.
The classic Cloudcroft starter. Close to town, solid scenery, vistas over the Tularosa Basin and White Sands. No water or restrooms at the trailhead — carry what you need.
Railroad route with restored trestle remains — a hike with a story, not just a path through the woods. Lower and warmer than Cloudcroft proper.
The waterfall hike. A spring-fed cascade drops off a 100-foot plateau into ferns and wildflowers. Check closures before you go — call 575-682-2551.
Best short trail near Cloudcroft for railroad history. Ends at the Mexican Canyon Trestle overlook — the image on every Cloudcroft postcard. Check Forest Service for closure updates.
The trail you can walk to from town. A 4.4-mile loop on the historic railroad corridor with basin views. Caution: the tunnel under US-82 ices over in winter.
31 miles total, but short out-and-backs from Cloudcroft are the move. Twelve access points — you don't need to hike it all. Basin views, aspen groves, high ridgelines.
Old railroad grade through high-elevation forest and meadows. Best as the return leg of a 10.3-mile Willie White loop.
Steeper, rougher canyon terrain than the rim. A real hike, not a stroll. Know your route before you start — this is not where you want to improvise.
A bit of everything: forest, meadows, ridgeline views of White Sands, and a small waterfall. Roughly 90% rock surface underfoot. Pairs with Wills Canyon for the premier 10.3-mile loop.
The hardest hike on this list. Desert floor to mountain top with 3,100+ ft of gain through a dramatic canyon. 8–10 hours round trip. State park fee required.
Cloudcroft village is the center. Trailheads cluster along three corridors: FR 162C to the north near High Rolls, the village core itself, and the Sunspot Highway corridor to the south. Dog Canyon sits down in the basin at Oliver Lee State Park.
Schematic only — relative positions and corridors are approximate. Always carry a real map (or downloaded USFS trail guide) and check alerts before driving to a trailhead.
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation | Trailhead | Walk from town | Year-round | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing selected yet. Check Compare on two or more cards above to build a matrix. | |||||||
"Start with the classic. Close to town, 2.2 miles, big views over the basin. You'll know whether the altitude is going to be a problem."
Hike Osha Trail.
"Quiet ponderosa forest on an old logging grade. Nobody else is out here. Turn around whenever you want — it's a network, not a route."
Hike Pumphouse Ridge (T5661).
"Desert floor to mountain summit. 3,100 feet of gain, 8–10 hours, and a start in Tularosa Basin heat. This is the one you train for."
Hike Dog Canyon (T106).
Cloudcroft trails sit between 8,500 and 9,500 feet. Even easy trails feel harder if you drove up from Alamogordo the same day. Carry at least a quart of water per person, bring a snack and an extra layer, and back off your pace if you arrived from lower elevation.
The Forest Service specifically warns hikers to stop and rest if they feel lightheaded or nauseous. If it doesn't pass, turn around. Every trail here will still be here next weekend.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect forest-wide through September 30, 2026. Check current fire restrictions before you leave — conditions can change fast.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common June through August. Plan for early morning starts and be off exposed ridges by noon on summer days. In winter, the tunnel under US-82 on the Switchback Loop can ice over.
Cell service is spotty on most forest trails. Download USFS trail guides and offline maps before you leave the village. High Altitude Outfitters (575-682-1229, 310 Burro Ave) stocks gear and current trail information.
For ranger-district questions, call the Sacramento Ranger District at 575-682-2551, 4 Lost Lodge Rd, Monday–Friday 9 AM–3 PM. No trailhead fees or permits are required for the trails in this guide; Dog Canyon requires a state park fee at Oliver Lee.
Grand View, Salado Canyon, and Dog Canyon are the three trails most reliably year-round (Dog Canyon sits low enough in the basin that winter is actually a better time to attempt it). Higher-elevation trails can be snowbound or icy November through March.
Fall color on the aspen-heavy stretches of the Rim Trail typically peaks late September through mid-October — but exact timing shifts year to year. Check forest alerts for any seasonal closures.
A 5.2-mile hike is a lot more fun when you sleep in a cabin instead of driving back to Alamogordo. The lodging guide covers hotels, B&Bs, and cabin resorts; the camping guide covers the forest campgrounds that put you at the trailhead before sunrise.