This Hidden Village In New Mexico Offers A Tranquil Park, Historic Landmarks, And The Warmth Of A Small Town

When people think of traveling to New Mexico, the first place that comes to mind is White Sands National Park, a one-of-a-kind national park that looks like an alien planet. However, The Land of Enchantment's largest city, Albuquerque, is also home to the neighborhood of North Valley, a riverside gem with trails and farm-to-table dining. But if you don't want to be in a big city and would rather spend your time in a picturesque small village, etched in peace and quiet but with plenty to do, head to Capitan.

With a population of just around 1,400 people, Capitan sits tucked high up between the Capitan Mountains to its northeast and the Sacramento Mountains to its southwest. At an elevation of 6,350 feet, it's not easy to get to either, with Albuquerque being its closest major city. Once there, though, you'll be in the birthplace of Smokey the Bear and have a chance to visit his museum. Smokey the Bear was an actual bear cub who was originally named "Hotfoot" and was severely burned in a devastating forest fire in the area.

The Smokey Bear Historical Park is an absolute must-visit during your time in Capitan. It stands as an educational center intended to remind the public of the importance of environmental health, ecological preservation, and wildfire prevention, while also commemorating Smokey's life. There's a playground, picnic area, and Smokey's somber yet peaceful burial spot. The park costs $6 to visit for adults, $4 for seniors, and is free for children. It's open every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Mondays and remains closed on major holidays like Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. Do note, though, that pets are not allowed in the park.

The little village has everything you'd expect, including an ever-popular gift shop and museum, and some local-favorite restaurants. The Smokey Bear Museum and Gift Shop is the go-to spot if you're looking to learn more about Smokey's life and buy all things Smokey-related. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the life of Capitan's favorite son through drawings and pictures, and was built in the '60s by volunteers. As for the gift shop, happy customers are able to buy things like scarves, hats, coins, stamps, and Junior Forest Ranger badges, to name just a few items. One happy customer said (via TripAdvisor), "Our son completed his Junior Ranger badge and in the process we all learned more about fighting forest fires."

Capitan is also home to many great restaurants, with Oso Grill and Che Palle being the most popular of the lot. Oso Grill offers diners contemporary American fare mixed with Southwestern flair, with items like fried green chile strips, their famous green chile cheeseburger, barbecue beef brisket sandwiches, and green chile chicken quesadillas. They also have a diverse selection of beer and wine.

If you're looking for something sweet, though, Che Palle is where you should go. Although they do offer salads and classic Italian dishes like pizzas, they also serve up delectable delights like cheesecake, chocolate ganache, and banana pudding.

Because it's at a higher elevation nestled between two mountain ranges, Capitan can be a bit of a challenge to get to. Once you're there, however, you can make the most of the area's parks, museums, and small-town charm, with an abundance of tranquility to accompany all of that. The best way reach Capitan is by flying into Roswell Air Center and then driving to Capitan. The drive takes approximately an hour and a half to complete.

Alternatively, if you're looking to fly into a major airport, Albuquerque International Sunport is the best option. From there, the drive to Capitan is about two and a half hours long. The best part about landing in Albuquerque is that it's home to Indian Pueblo Kitchen, one of the best indigenous restaurants in the state. And given how foodies from all over the country are road-tripping to New Mexico to sample the best of innovative Native American cuisine, it's a must-stop for you before you drive on over to Capitan.

If you're looking for a place to stay during your visit to Capitan, a good accommodation option is the Smokey Bear Motel. Rooms cost $113 at the time of writing, and it's located in the village of Capitan itself. La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Ruidoso Downs is another good budget-friendly option, with its rooms being priced at $105 at the time of writing. Although not located in Capitan itself, but instead in the nearby city of Ruidoso Downs, roughly a 30-minute drive to the home of Smokey the Bear.