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We are proud of our 120-year-old, unique mountain community which combines the amenities of modern life with our heritage.
One hundred twenty-one years ago, the railroad was completed between Alamogordo, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. The railroad’s owners were intrigued by the majestic mountains to the East of Alamogordo and soon sent a survey party to the summit. They discovered untouched wilderness — a wonderland of wildlife, plants, and trees. They were also impressed with the way the clouds blanketed the ground because at 9,000 feet above sea-level, Cloudcroft was literally in the clouds. The name Cloudcroft is a term related to an English description of a clearing covered in clouds. Soon after, an excursion train was established to the top of the mountain and the village of Cloudcroft was born.
For 50 years the Alamogordo-Sacramento Mountain Railroad carried passengers and freight from the desert floor into the tall pine country of Cloudcroft, climbing 6,000 feet. The train line was abandoned in 1948. Although it has been over a half-century since the train chugged into the sleepy mountain village, the spirit of the old railroad still prevails, with signs of it obvious in many places.
It is the destination of thousands of visitors each year. In the summer, it is a wonderful place to get away from the heat of the lower elevations (Cloudcroft is an average of 20 degrees cooler than Alamogordo, sixteen miles, and 6,000 feet lower.) The village area features summer pastimes such as fishing, golf (the Lodge Golf Course is the highest in North America), camping, hiking, biking, hunting, and, of course, shopping. Cloudcroft is the home of many of America’s most accomplished artists in many different disciplines. Their original works are available in many of the village shops. In the winter, explore a vast winter wonderland on cross-country skis or snowmobiles. Ice skate on the village rink, or ski at Ski Cloudcroft.
Come shop, dine, and play with us at 9,000 Ft. Above Stress Level
