Welcome to Capitan

Surrounded by the tall pines of the Lincoln National Forest, Capitan is ideally located in the heart of historic Lincoln County. The Village is situated between the Capitan and Sacramento Mountains at an elevation of 6,530 feet. Smokey Bear, Capitan's most famous resident is buried on the grounds of the Smokey Bear Historical Park. Smokey Bear, often incorrectly referred to as Smokey the Bear, was the badly singed black bear cub that was rescued from a 17,000 acre fire in the Capitan Mountains in 1950. Each year the residents celebrate his memory with the Smokey Bear Stampede, 4 days of festivities, including a fun run marathon, parade, barbeque, western dance, music festival and rodeo events commencing over the 4th of July weekend.
 



Attractions

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Smokey Bear Days-
Plenty of fun for children and fire prevention activities for all ages. Events include arts, crafts and gifts marketplace, Smokey Bear memorabilia, chainsaw carving competition and an antique and custom car show. Free live entertainment at the Smokey Bear Historical Park including a street dance on Saturday night. Occurs first weekend in May.

Annual Smokey Bear Stampede & Rodeo-
4th of July parade, Smokey Bear Stampede and Calf Scramble, Ranch Rodeo, Youth Ranch Rodeo, 10k Smokey Bear Run and fireworks display.

Smokey Bear Memorabilia Museum & Gift Shop-
The rustic one room building almost bursts with Smokey Bear memorabilia, photos and posters chronicling his life history. The Museum is located at 102 Smokey Bear Blvd., on the north side of State Highway 380, just west of the intersection with State Highway 48, and just east of the Smokey Bear Historical Park.

Wildland Firefighter Museum-
Museum visitors will find antique firefighting tools and equipment, pictures and videos of fires, old Smokey Bear memorabilia and a display of crew and fire shirts from across the nation. Located across the street from the Smokey Bear Historical Park.

Be Sure to Visit All These Great Locations
Fort Sumner Clovis Portales Carrizozo/White Oaks Roswell Capitan
Lincoln County Ruidoso Mescalero Cloudcroft Alamogordo
Artesia Hobbs Carlsbad

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