New Mexico’s Roadside Attractions: Smokey the Bear

As my husband and I were driving, quite literally, in the middle of nowhere, we happened upon a curious scene.

You may wonder at what a random (but sturdy) cut out of Smokey the Bear is doing on the side of the road near Lincoln, NM. I wondered too…until I discovered the most amazing random fact! The mountains behind this cut-out is where the real Smokey the Bear was found over 50 years ago!!

I’m sure many of you historically savvy people out there who read my blog already know all about the story of the real Smokey the Bear… but for those of you who don’t, below is a picture that best tells the story:

Who would’ve thought!! If you keep following the highway on to Capitan, they actually have a Smokey Bear Historical Park.  I haven’t been there, but you never know, it could be a cool find!

I’m not gonna lie, I couldn’t believe that the nationally known “Smokey the Bear” had his origins in these random mountains in the middle of nowhere.  It truly is a small world!

So, unless you live nearby or are just vacationing at Ruidoso with a ton of time on your hands, this stop is pretty far out there to be a “destination” (Google puts it at about 40 minutes from Ruidoso).  However, for those of you that will be in the area and want to see it, here are the directions:

Directions:

From Ruidoso: Get on HWY 48/Mechem Dr. and head toward Capitan, NM.  When you get to Capitan, turn right (east) onto HWY 380 toward Lincoln, NM. From this direction you will see Smokey on the side of the road off to your left.

From Roswell: Head toward Ruidoso on HWY 70.  Right outside of Hondo, there will be a turn-off to your right for HWY 380 with signs for Lincoln.  Follow this road through Lincoln.  It won’t be long past the turn off for Ft Stanton (220), and will be on the side of the road to the right.

Things to consider:

If you are coming from Ruidoso and come through Capitan, there’s really no need to drive past the Smokey Bear Historical Park to see this little roadside edition.

Also keep in mind if you’re coming from Lincoln that the road that turns off to Ft Stanton (220) will wind back to Ruidoso, for those of you looking for a connector loop. Just turn off HWY-380 onto road 220, drive through Ft Stanton, and if you stay on 220 and pass the Sierra Blanca airport, than you’ll be in Ruidoso.

So anyways, there’s a random stop for all you off the beaten path lovers.

Leave me a comment to tell me what you think! Have you been to the Smokey Bear Historical Park?? Is it awesome or lame-sauce?? Lemme know!

Until next time…and remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires!