Basics
- Length:
- 138 miles (222 km)
- Time:
- Northern Route: 2 hrs 30 minutes Southern Route: 2 hrs 15 minutes On the Rio Grande: 30 minutes
- Fees:
- There are no fees along the Byway itself.
Description
The Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway is made up of three routes that tie together Sierra County’s many charming rural locales. The Byway starts and ends in the Gila Wilderness. For those with 4-wheel drive, Forest Service Road 150 completes the loop. The Trail goes from mountain forests to dry desert and scrub-dotted hills, and past two of the largest lakes in New Mexico.
The Northern Route travels from NM-181 to NM-52 through the historic mining & ranching towns of Cuchillo, Winston, Chloride and on to Beaverhead. The Southern Route follows NM-187 to Caballo Lake & west on NM-152 through historic Hillsboro & Kingston and over the Black Range to San Lorenzo. The Rio Grande route runs through Truth or Consequences (NM-187) to Elephant Butte (NM-181). The trail’s eastern / center leg more or less is parallel with the Jornada del Muerto (Journey of the Dead Man)—the roughest and deadliest part of the historic Camino Real.
Points of Interest:
Northern Route:
Cuchillo: The valley was first occupied by the Mimbres Indians, who left the area around 1200 AD. The Apache settled on upper Cuchillo in the early 1600s, but abandoned the area in 1855. Spanish settlers from Canada Alamosa migrated in soon after, and settled the area expanding into current Cuchillo. Charming original buildings survive, including San Jose Catholic Church, built in 1907.
Winston: Winston was settled in 1881 by miners who found nearby Chloride “too rowdy.” It had a school, bars, a newspaper, horse races, and featured plays and songfests at Cloudman Hall (named for the local butcher). The Winston General Store is open 7 days per week and sells fuel, basic groceries, plus hot coffee, to-go barbecue sandwiches, and showers.
Chloride: Chloride, in its heyday, had nine saloons, a general store, a dry goods store, a millinery shop, a restaurant, a butcher shop, a candy store, a pharmacy, a Chinese laundry, a photography studio, a school, and two hotels. Today, many of Chloride’s original structures still stand. The old Pioneer Store is a museum; next door the former Monte Cristo Saloon and Dance Hall houses a gift shop and gallery featuring work by local artists. Both are open five days a week from 10am-4pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Southern Route:
Hillsboro: Hillsboro was founded in 1877 when gold was discovered at the nearby Opportunity and Ready Pay mines. By 1907 Hillsboro had a population of at least 1,200. Today, this charming, peaceful village of a hundred souls is a wonderful getaway featuring flower-filled yards and old cottonwoods lining the main street. You’ll find many enticements, including gift shops, artist studios and galleries; the General Store Cafe; the remains of the old county courthouse; the Black Range Museum; and numerous other historic buildings.
Kingston: Kingston New Mexico was founded when a rich lode of silver ore was discovered at the Solitaire Mine in 1882. It quickly became a bustling town that offered all of the trappings of civilization and culture. It was also one of the wildest towns in the Wild West. Numerous hotels played host to the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Black Jack Ketchum. From Hillsboro’s glory days, the old Assay Office and the remains of the Victorio Hotel have been renovated as private residences. The Kingston Ghost Town Museum is open on Saturdays from 10:30am-4pm & on Sundays from 12 noon-4pm. The Black Range Lodge, a Bed & Breakfast / retreat center, offers accommodations in a setting of massive stonewalls and log-beamed ceilings constructed from the ruins of what once was Pretty Sam’s Casino.
On the Rio Grande:
Truth or Consequences: Truth or Consequences, known as Hot Springs until 1950, is a small resort town with a year-round population of slightly more than 6,000. Today, a walk around downtown can be like stepping into a living time capsule; one can stroll among businesses on WPA-era sidewalks, take a soak in T or C’s hot springs, visit the Geronimo Springs Museum or the Hamilton Military Museum at Veterans Memorial Park T or C offers a wide range of interesting dining options.
Elephant Butte: Hailed as the “Diamond in the Desert,” Elephant Butte is home to the largest lake in the state and Sierra del Rio, a 5-star golf course that has been recognized by Golf Digest magazine as one of the state’s ten best courses.
Three New Mexico State Parks: Elephant Butte Lake, Caballo Lake & Percha Dam State Parks are all found on this route.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Details
Length:
138 miles (222 km)
Time:
Northern Route: 2 hrs 30 minutes Southern Route: 2 hrs 15 minutes On the Rio Grande: 30 minutes
Main Roads:
NM-187 NM-181 NM-152 NM-52
Fees:
There are no fees along the Byway itself.
