Lake Valley Back Country Byway | New Mexico
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A meandering 48-mile drive on paved roads takes visitors through ranching and mining country and past the ruins of the 1880s mining town of Lake Valley. The Lake Valley Back Country Byway is nestled between the Mimbres and Caballo Mountains and the Cooke's Range in southwestern New Mexico and offers spectacular scenic views. Rich in history and scenery, the Byway offers an outstanding trip for travelers with an hour to spare.
Byway Details
The Lake Valley Back Country Byway follows NM-152 and NM-27 for 48 miles through a mountainous region of New Mexico. It passes several mountain ranges, including the Caballo Mountains, Black Range, Cooke’s Range, and the Good Sight Mountains.
Lake Valley, a ghost town, provides the byway's namesake. Take a self-guided walking tour of the town, beginning at the schoolhouse museum. When you're done, head east on the byway toward Nutt. You'll drive alongside a spur line of the old Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, built over 100 years ago. As you reach the end of the byway, notice the marks remaining in the earth from thriving railroad days gone by.
Attractions & Features
- Lake Valley Historic Townsite (Hours with Volunteer Onsite: Thursday through Monday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Three interpretive pullouts site with kiosks.
- Mountain ranges
- Caballo Mountains
- Black Range
- Cooke’s Range
- Good Sight Mountains
- Mimbres Mountains
- Lake Valley, Old Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad lines
- Kingston-Lake Valley Stagecoach Line
- Col. George Cooke and the Mormon Battalion Trail Monument on NM Hwy 26.
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Activities
Directions
From Caballo Lake and I-25, travel west on NM 152 for 17 miles, then turn south onto NM 27 and continue for 30 miles. Alternatively, from NM 26 near the town of Nutt, travel north on NM 27 for 30 miles, then turn east onto NM 152 and continue for 17 miles.