The Village of Ruidoso Parks & Recreation Department offers a variety of recreational services and programs for both children and adults.
Ruidoso Parks and Rec has something for everybody - year-round. Whether it’s hiking, biking, fishing, swimming or competitive sports, Ruidoso has it all. You can bike mountain trails, walk through the forest, paddle on a lake, view wildlife, fish, join a sports team, or just go out and play with family and friends.
Alto Lake remains open for fishing, picnicking, and enjoying the outdoors while recovery work continues on burned slopes below the lake through the end of August 2026. Trails below the dam and the Alto Lake Disc Golf Course are temporarily closed as crews complete erosion control and landscape restoration following the South Fork Fire.
Plan your summer splash in Ruidoso! The Municipal Swimming Pool opens Memorial Day Weekend with daily public swim through August 8, while the Wibit Water Park returns to Grindstone Lake starting May 23, 2026. Enjoy family fun, pool parties, and lake recreation all summer long. Parking fees and holiday reservations apply.
Join the fun. The Village of Ruidoso Parks & Recreation Department is excited to once again offer swimming lessons to the youth of our community. Classes fill up fast. Sign up beginning April 1st! (Under the Activities & Programs tab)
Ruidoso Parks & Recreation is offering American Red Cross Lifeguard Training for ages 16+ with three session options in March, April and May 2026. Participants learn water rescue skills, CPR, and first aid while earning lifeguard certification. The $100 course fee is refunded once participants begin working as Village of Ruidoso lifeguards.
Join Ruidoso Parks & Rec for a magical full-moon evening at White Sands National Park! Enjoy hiking, stargazing, and stunning dune views. Four sessions available with limited ADA-accessible bus seating. No pets or alcohol. Bring layers, a flashlight, and your camera! Registration opens March 1, 2026, and closes the day before each session: https://secure.rec1.com/NM/villiage-of-ruidoso-nm/catalog
Join us for Ruidoso's very own Kite Festival, including professional flyers, food vendors, and kite displays. Come out and fly your own or build one in our kite assembly booth. FREE to attend! Fun for all ages.
Experience Ruidoso RunFest, September 18–19, 2026, in the cool mountain air of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Friday features the Pizza Hut 5K and Kids’ 1K Fun Run, followed Saturday by the 47K/50K, marathon, and half marathon. Celebrate race weekend with live music, food trucks, a Downshift Brewing Company beer garden, and family-friendly festivities at Wingfield Park.
Celebrate fall at Ruidoso AspenFest on October 3, 2026, featuring the Midtown Parade at 10 AM with the theme “Harvesting Adventure,” followed by the Wingfield Park Festival from 11 AM–6 PM. Enjoy live music, New Mexico wine and craft beer, food vendors, and kids’ activities. Admission is $10, $25 with wine and beer tasting, and free for kids 12 and under.
The XTERRA World Championship returns to Ruidoso, New Mexico, October 8–11, 2026. Experience world-class off-road competition at Grindstone Lake and throughout Ruidoso’s renowned trail system. Find event information, recreation facilities, spectator resources, and links to official race details from Ruidoso Parks & Recreation.
Join Ruidoso Parks & Rec for a moonlit adventure at White Sands National Park. Walk glowing dunes, enjoy stargazing, and take in desert views under the full moon. Bring warm layers and a flashlight for the walk back. Multiple 2026 dates available. $20 per person. Registration opens March 1 at https://secure.rec1.com/NM/villiage-of-ruidoso-nm/catalog
Lace up for the Ruidoso Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday, November 28, 2026. This fun run/walk starts at 10:00 a.m. on The Links Trail and is open to all ages and abilities. It’s the final race in the 2026 Ruidoso Run Series, with participant medals and limited T-shirts available.
