Step out of your life and into the old wild west. The history of Eagle Nest is full of gunslingers, gold miners, range wars, gambling, and saloons. While it’s a bit tamer today, you can still revel in that history as you stroll along Eagle Nest’s picturesque main street or visit the Enchanted Circle Gateway Museum, featuring cultural and historical exhibits about Eagle Nest and its surrounding areas.
Summer
Eagle Nest Lake—from which the town takes its name—is the heart of the village, having transformed it from a disreputable gambling den to the outdoor haven it is today. Pack a picnic, rent a boat, or pitch a tent, but don’t forget your fishing gear; the lake provides some of the premier fishing opportunities in northern New Mexico. More outdoor adventure awaits in nearby Cimarron Canyon State Park, with more fishing holes as well as hiking, camping, and horseback riding.
Winter
Things quiet down a bit in winter in Eagle Nest, making it a peaceful base camp for day trips to nearby ski and snowboard resorts. There is also plentiful terrain near Eagle Nest for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through the silent winter woods—or having a blast on a snowmobile adventure.
Lodging and Dining
Eagle Nest boasts a few well-tended motels and historic lodges, several hospitable RV parks and campsites, and a variety of vacation homes and cabins. And while you’ll have to travel to Angel Fire or Taos for fine dining, there is plenty of good, old-fashioned comfort food to be had right here in Eagle Nest.