Welcome to Fort Sumner

Fort Sumner invites you to enjoy a unique New Mexico experience, from the Bosque Redondo Memorial commemorating "The Long Walk" in 1860 to Billy the Kid, the most notorious outlaw in the Old West, who was shot, killed and buried in Fort Sumner in 1881. Sumner Lake State Park offers scenic fishing, hiking, and water sports with full hook-up facilities to camping right by the water's edge. Fort Sumner's friendly citizens, clean air, and wide-open spaces make this an attractive place to visit or to live.
 



Attractions

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Sumner Lake State Park
Located 16 miles North of Fort Sumner. Enjoy fishing, boating, and water sports on a beautiful lake with full camping facilities for those seeking a weekend of fun and scenic beauty.

Billy the Kid's Grave
Located 3.5 miles south of Fort Sumner at the Old Fort Cemetery. Billy the Kid is the most notorious outlaw in the Old West. He was shot, killed and buried in Fort Sumner in 1881.

Bosque Redondo Memorial
Dedicated to the thousands of Navajo and Apache Indians who were marched across New Mexico in "The Long Walk", then forced to live on a reservation in the 1860's, where thousands died of starvation and disease.

Old Fort Sumner Museum
Artifacts, pictures and documents from 1865 onward are collected in the Old Fort Sumner Museum, next to the Old Cemetery.

Billy the Kid Museum
Located in town, features relics of the historic past, including antique cars, horse buggies and Billy's gun.

Fort Sumner's Downtown Historical Buildings
Some are painted with murals by local artists, telling the stories of the region from 1541 to present day scenes. All are within a short walking distance from each other and well worth the visit.

Events

May
Billy the Kid's Last Ride (Trail Ride)
From Ft. Sumner to Lincoln. Ride travels more than 125 miles with seven ranch stops. 575-441-1229

June
Old Fort Days
Arts and crafts, food venders 575-355-7705
Kids Fishing Clinic
Website 575-355-2541
Billy the Kid Tombstone Race
575-355-7705
Bosque Redondo Day
Part of Long Run VI. Commemorative motorcycle ride to Bosque Redondo Memorial to remember and honor those who were on The Long Walk of the Navajos.
Website 575-355-2573

July
Fireworks Display
Website 575-355-2541
Youth Daze at Sumner Lake State Park
Website 575-355-2541

August
De Baca County Fair
575-355-2681

December
Winterfest Arts and Craft show
575-355-7705

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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