Otero County: Nature, Spaceflight and History

Consider which of these themes you want to shape your trip, and use it to guide your search for hotels in Otero County. The places and activities described offer different starting points, from nature experiences to the history of spaceflight.

Dunes and trails at White Sands

White Sands National Park lies in Otero and Doña Ana counties in the state of New Mexico. It preserves a significant part of the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Five developed trails lead visitors through the dunes. Sledding on the soft sand is also a popular activity in the park with children and adults alike.

Another nature trail runs through Oliver Lee Memorial State Park: the 0.5-mile Riparian Nature Trail ends at small pools at the mouth of Dog Canyon. There, pools lie beneath cottonwood trees. This gives you two distinct nature themes to choose from when planning your trip: a dune landscape with five developed trails and a named trail with a specific length and destination in Dog Canyon.

The park’s history is also tangible: the ranch house at Oliver Lee’s Dog Canyon Ranch was completely rebuilt from ruins. It is currently closed for renovation work. If you include the park in your plans, take this access restriction for the house into account.

Forest trails and seasonal winter sports

The Sacramento Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest lies in Otero and Chaves counties. It offers recreational opportunities on 169 miles of designated motorized trails. Ski Cloudcroft is located in this district. In the 2025/26 season, its offerings included skiing, snowboarding, and tubing; the season ended on March 7, 2026. These activities are seasonal, so winter sports and designated motorized trails offer different focuses for trip planning.

The McGregor Range has its own access requirements. Public access in Otero County is permitted only with a Recreational Access Permit from the Fort Bliss Training Complex. The area may be closed to the public during military exercises. If you plan to visit the McGregor Range, factor these requirements into your decision.

Spaceflight and regional history in Alamogordo

Alamogordo is the county seat of Otero County and home to the New Mexico Space Museum. The New Mexico Museum of Space History primarily offers self-guided tours. Museum staff often supplement visits with informal tours and information about the exhibits. The International Space Hall of Fame was founded in 1976 to honor the achievements of people who advanced knowledge of the universe and the ability to explore space.

In the host city of Alamogordo, the Tularosa Basin Historical Society & Museum preserves and shares the diverse history of the Tularosa Basin. Its activities include archival preservation, educational offerings, and public programs. The collection includes more than 10,000 historical photographs, regional newspapers dating from the late 19th century onward, records of pioneer families, and documents from the basin’s early development years. In Alamogordo, you can explore regional history alongside spaceflight topics.

Also in the host city of Alamogordo, Alameda Park Zoo offers educational activities that connect visitors of all ages with animals and nature. Its history at its current location dates back to 1898, when it was founded as a deer park. Its origins as a deer park and its educational activities today show different aspects of the zoo’s development.

Discover more destinations: Weed, Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Timberon, Quay, Chaves County, Sandoval, Santa Fe.

For the overall travel overview: New Mexico.