Sunspot Scenic Byway

New Mexico

National Forest Scenic Byway

Map

Byway Details

Designation
National Forest Scenic Byway
Length
16 mi in New Mexico
Managed by
Forest Service

About Sunspot Scenic Byway

The Sunspot Scenic Byway is a 16-mile drive in the Sacramento Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The route passes through Cloudcroft, the town on the byway. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to drive it. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cloudcroft show May highs around 66°F and September highs around 67°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 16 each month. Several stops sit right along the route. Slide campground and the Rim Trail (105) are each about 0.1 mile away, and the Cloud-Climbing Trestle is a similar distance. Aspen campground is about 0.3 mile off.

Scenic byway data: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: May–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–74°F and lows of 34–48°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Cloudcroft, NM weather station, 0.6 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan42° high19° low
  2. Feb45° high22° low
  3. Mar51° high26° low
  4. Apr58° high31° low
  5. May66° high38° low
  6. Jun74° high45° low
  7. Jul72° high48° low
  8. Aug71° high47° low
  9. Sep67° high42° low
  10. Oct60° high34° low
  11. Nov51° high26° low
  12. Dec43° high19° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Towns along the route
Cloudcroft

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS GNIS populated places

Conditions

Active alerts for Sacramento Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 2 miles of the route, PostGIS distance)

    Sunspot Scenic Byway — Scenic drive in New Mexico | Roamze