Mexican Canyon Trestle Overlook


Built in 1899 to carry timber down to Alamogordo for the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, the railway line here twisted up the Sacramento Mountains for 32 miles, crossing 58 wooden trestles. The railway later carried passengers back and forth, ending its run in 1947. You can view the 60ft-high Mexican Canyon Trestle, restored in 2009 and 2010, from an overlook off US 82 as you head into Cloudcroft.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. New Mexico Museum of Space History

10.47 MILES

Looming over the northeast corner of town and nicknamed 'the golden cube,' this four-story museum is surrounded by historic missiles, and holds excellent…

2. La Luz & Tularosa

11.51 MILES

The painters, writers and craftspeople who live in the tiny enclave of La Luz, 4 miles north of Alamogordo, share a passion for creating artwork and…

3. Toy Train Depot

12.85 MILES

Railroad buffs and kids flock to this 1898 railway depot, for five rooms of train memorabilia and toy trains, and a 2.5-mile narrow-gauge minitrain ($5)…

4. Sunspot Solar Observatory

12.85 MILES

One of the world's largest solar observatories is near Sunspot, 20 miles south of Cloudcroft. Though it's primarily for scientists, tourists can enter the…

5. Tularosa Basin Museum of History

13.09 MILES

Thoroughly regional little museum, spotlighting ancient people, ranching life, the military and local families of note. Lots of small-town artifacts too,…

6. Alameda Park & Zoo

13.11 MILES

Said to be the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi, established in 1898, this small but well-run place features exotics from around the world. Assuming…

7. Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation

13.38 MILES

Around 4000 Apache – not only Mescalero, but also Chiricahua and Lipan – live on this reservation, stretching approximately 720 sq miles south and west of…

8. Ruidoso Downs Racetrack

26.68 MILES

National attention focuses on the Ruidoso Downs racetrack on Labor Day for the world's richest quarter-horse race, the All American Futurity, which has a…