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The rugged beauty of New Mexico is the center of attention in Angel Fire. This resort community welcomes skiers, golfers and many more adventurous travelers. But you don’t have to be a daredevil to enjoy Angel Fire—relaxation and rejuvenation come in ample supply as well.
Angel Fire sits nearly 9,000 feet above sea level in the Southern Rocky Mountains. From here, Wheeler Peak—the highest point in New Mexico—can easily be seen. Hiking is a popular warm-weather activity, and Angel Fire’s trail systems provide varying levels of difficulty for visitors of all skill levels. Trails pass through grassy meadows and thickly forested areas, and all offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
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The trails around Angel Fire are inviting to mountain bikers, ranging in difficulty from family-friendly to adrenaline-boosting. The extensive South Boundary Trail begins south of the town and winds through Carson National Forest. If young adventurers want to ride above the earth, send them down a 1,600-foot tandem zip line over the forest floor. More relaxing aerial transportation is available on Angel Fire chairlifts, which run year-round and offer stunning views from Agua Fria Peak.
Brightly colored hot air balloons waft through the sky over Angel Fire during its summer festival. Watch the balloons glide by from the ground or arrange for a ride in a basket.
Seeking more terrestrial pursuits? Carson National Forest sits adjacent to Angel Fire and is a prime spot for fishing and hunting. Trout are the prize catch in the streams that run through the forest, including native Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Small game in the forest includes grouse, mourning dove, gray squirrel and banned-tailed pigeon. Elk, turkey, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mule deer make up the large-game set for avid hunters.
Just north of Angel Fire, on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, the mountains of the Moreno Valley surround Eagle Nest Lake. Trout and salmon thrive in the lake, where boat fishing and ice fishing are popular activities. Take a boat ride, go kayaking and canoeing, or simply relax on the banks. Eagle Nest Lake is a prime bird-watching spot, so pack your binoculars.
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The Enchanted Circle Byway is an 84-mile loop that takes day-trippers around Wheeler Peak. Head north from Angel Fire and stop to visit the memorial chapel in Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park. Further north, in the town of Eagle Nest, lies Laguna Vista Lodge and Saloon, which once served as one of the state’s earliest bordellos. The nearby Gateway Museum features exhibits on gold panning and early railroad travel in the region.