There are tons of places to visit in and around El Paso. Some are well known and some aren't so, I'm doing a series on hidden and "not so hidden" gems.

Today, it's Cloudcroft.

Located about 100 miles from El Paso, it's a quick and easy drive to a place much cooler in the summer and beautiful all year.  Once there ... depending on the season ... you can hike, go mountain biking, ski, snowboard, camp, fish and much more. Here are two cool places to visit there:

  • The Gillespie Ranch. A working cattle ranch where you can stop to visit, or stay over. They offer camping and RV facilities, cabins and allow ATV riding.
  • The Lodge Resort. A legendary, (and way haunted), hotel once frequented by classic movie stars and containing a bar owned by Al Capone.

If you're looking for a fun day trip or weekend getaway, take US-54 North to Alamogordo, then follow US-82 to Cloudcroft.

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