A short loop trail at Point of Rocks leads to a rocky outcrop; the Geronimo Springs Museum showcases the largest collection of prehistoric pottery in Sierra County. These very different discoveries give Sierra County a history revealed through its landscapes, buildings and local culture.
Water, Trails and Landscapes
Elephant Butte Lake State Park can accommodate watercraft of various types and sizes, including kayaks, jet skis, pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers and houseboats. The range extends from small watercraft to larger types of boats. The park also has a visitor center near its main entrance.
The hot springs around Truth or Consequences produce water with temperatures of 98 to 115 degrees and trace elements from 38 different minerals. Their therapeutic effects have drawn people since before written records began. The temperature and mineral composition give the springs a distinctive natural history dimension.
A different landscape awaits along the Paseo del Rio Trail. The trail passes through a cottonwood forest, wetlands, ponds and riparian habitats. Parking is available at the trailhead, and the trail is easy to reach from downtown Truth or Consequences.
The trail systems of Gila National Forest are accessible from Sierra County. Landscapes along the access routes include ponderosa pine forests, mixed-conifer mountains, rocky canyons, wilderness ridges and sweeping viewpoints. This variety differs markedly from the wetlands and ponds along the Paseo del Rio Trail: here, mountain and canyon landscapes take center stage.
History in Collections and Buildings
The Geronimo Springs Museum houses the largest collection of prehistoric pottery in Sierra County, New Mexico. It also offers monthly lectures on paleontology, archaeology, gems and minerals, and the history of Sierra County. The collection and lecture program focus on different topics: the pottery offers a glimpse into prehistory, while the lectures range from the natural sciences to regional history.
Several architectural styles come together in the Historic Bathhouse District. Its buildings include examples of Territorial, Pueblo Revival and early 20th-century styles. The district is compact and pedestrian-friendly. Point of Rocks was a landmark for travelers on El Camino Real, so the site is historically significant in part for its role in helping travelers find their way.
About 27 original buildings still stand in Chloride. They include the Pioneer Store, now a museum. Main Street is lined with false-front buildings and adobe buildings. To get a sense of the town’s history, visitors can explore the preserved buildings and streetscape, where the facades and materials shape the character of this historic town.
The Kingston Ghost Town Museum is located in one of Kingston’s early adobe houses. Its research center offers information on mining, the history of the American West and Indigenous history. It also explores the lives of Kingston’s early residents, their businesses and their social life. The site and research center offer different ways to explore the past, from a single house to the lives and work of its former residents.
Percha Dam is a diversion structure and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At Percha Dam State Park, visitors can swim, fish and picnic, as well as watch wildlife and birds and visit interpretive exhibits. The historic structure and activities in the park offer different perspectives on the site. The Damsite Recreation Area in Elephant Butte Lake State Park is also a historic district built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Drives and Practical Information
The Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway is located in Sierra County in southern New Mexico. Along the byway, the scenery shifts from mountain forests to dry desert and brush-covered hills, and the route passes two of New Mexico’s largest lakes. The changing scenery makes the transition from wooded elevations to drier landscapes a defining feature of the drive.
The Lake Valley Back Country Byway offers another clearly described drive: the 48-mile route follows paved roads through ranching and mining country and passes the ruins of Lake Valley. The Point-of-Rocks Trail offers a different scale: it is a 0.5-mile loop leading to a rocky outcrop. If you are considering a tour of Spaceport America, Final Frontier Tours offers the only public access tours. Spaceport America is considered the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport; check tour options again before your trip.
The Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway Visitor Center is located at 523 N. Broadway, between Clancy and Daniels in downtown Truth or Consequences. There are other places to get your bearings and find local products and art: the Sierra County Farmers Market brings seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods and handmade items to Ralph Edwards Park. Offerings and schedules may change seasonally. During Truth or Consequences Art Hop, participating shops, galleries and studios open their doors on the second Saturday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m.; the recurring schedule may change locally.
Discover more destinations: Truth Or Consequences, Williamsburg, Elephant Butte, Rio Arriba County, Mora County, Lea County, Los Alamos, De Baca County.
For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.
