Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown is a former gold mining community tucked into Colfax County, New Mexico, sitting just off State Road 38 in the stretch between Eagle Nest and Red River. Carson National Forest lies immediately to the west, and the town occupies a position northeast of Scully Mountain and west of Baldy Mountain — a setting that hints at the rugged terrain that once drew prospectors to the area.

Today Elizabethtown is a ghost town, and visitors should arrive with modest expectations. What you'll find is a quiet, historically layered landscape rather than a preserved townsite with intact structures. The surrounding scenery and the proximity to the national forest make it a worthwhile stop for those already traveling State Road 38, particularly for photography and a moment of historical reflection.

Access via State Road 38 is straightforward in warmer months, but the high-country location means winter weather can make travel difficult. Late spring through early fall is the practical window for a visit.