Major city · United States
LincolnLincoln, New Mexico
Half a day is enough: walk the historic main street, see the courthouse where Billy the Kid escaped, and leave. Not a base.
Lincoln is a preserved Wild West town on US 380 in southeast New Mexico, best known for the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid. The main street is a National Historic Landmark with a handful of museums and a re-enactment in August. Most travellers stop for 2–3 hours between Roswell and Ruidoso or Alamogordo.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat), Dec–Feb (cold, some businesses close)
- Airports
- ROW · RUI
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lincoln911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lincoln County Sheriff575-648-2400
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lincoln, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLincoln is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 575-648-2400 Lincoln County Sheriff
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportROW Roswell International Air Center (About 1 hour east by car; limited flights from Dallas and Phoenix.).
- Getting aroundThe historic district is walkable end to end in 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeecheck$2–4
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (one museum)check$5–7
- Budget bedMotel room (Lincoln or Ruidoso), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel room (Lincoln or Ruidoso), a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel room (Lincoln or Ruidoso), a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ROW Roswell International Air Center (About 1 hour east by car; limited flights from Dallas and Phoenix.) · RUI Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (Near Ruidoso, about 30 min north; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jul (8 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lincoln: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
3 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
3 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The historic district is walkable end to end in 20 minutes. You need a car to reach Lincoln; there is no public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ruidoso
goDoor to door: 20 min
US 380 west then NM 48 north, about 20 min by car
Casino, skiing in winter, and the Hubbard Museum of the American West.
Door to door: 1 h
US 380 east, about 1 h by car
UFO museums and the Bottomless Lakes State Park.
Door to door: 1 h 15 min
US 380 west then US 54 south, about 1 h 15 min by car
White Sands National Park and the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
Door to door: 2 h 30 min
US 380 east to Roswell, then US 285 south, about 2 h 30 min by car
A full day; combine with Roswell.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lincoln itself
A few historic B&Bs and a motel; book ahead in summer.
Ruidoso
About 20 min north; more choices for food and lodging.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 per person (day trip)
- Mid
- $100–160 per person (day trip)
- High
- $160+ per person (day trip)
Trip budget
| Motel room (Lincoln or Ruidoso)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Museum entry (combined ticket for 3 museums)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Re-enactment ticket (first week of August)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$248 per person per day, bed included | US$495 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffeecheck | $2–4 |
| Burger and friescheck | $10–15 |
| Museum entry (one museum)check | $5–7 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.00–3.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most museums and shops close by 17:00; plan to arrive before 14:00.Most museums and shops close by 5:00 PM; plan to arrive before 2:00 PM.
- The re-enactment (first week of August) requires a ticket; buy ahead.
- No gas station in Lincoln; fill up in Ruidoso or Roswell.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Lincoln County Sheriff
- 575-648-2400
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LincolnLincoln, New Mexico
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lincoln County Sheriff575-648-2400
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Roswell airport → Lincoln: about 1 h by car, no public transport
- Ruidoso → Lincoln: about 20 min by car
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lincoln. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat), Dec–Feb (cold, some businesses close) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each museum with seasonal hours and ticket links.
- Eat pages for the two restaurants in Lincoln (check if still open).
- Re-enactment page with ticket-buying flow and lodging alert.
Sources
Ask about Lincoln
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