Life on the Mountain

The world's largest gypsum dunefield glows on the basin floor below. Walk the boardwalk, sled the dunes, and stay for sunset when the sand turns pink and gold.

A mountain village up the road at 8,600 feet, with shops along Burro Avenue, the historic Mexican Canyon Trestle, forest trails and snow in winter.

Down the hill in Alamogordo, the museum's gold glass cube tells the story of the Space Age, with the International Space Hall of Fame and an outdoor rocket park.

Hike the Dog Canyon Trail, where a spring-fed stream keeps the canyon green at the foot of the Sacramento Mountains.

Pine and aspen forest begins just up the road. The Rim Trail near Cloudcroft is a local favorite for long views and cool summer hikes.

Far from city lights, the stars here are something else. Bring a blanket out to the fire pit and look up.