The town of Carrizozo is located in South Central New Mexico. Nestled in the shadows of the beautiful Sacramento mountain range at the northern edge of the Tularosa Basin, residents and visitors alike enjoy the pleasant climate of the high desert, yet are less than an hour from the tall pines and skiing areas of the Lincoln National Forest. Carrizozo boasts a variety of lodgings, shops and restaurants, as well as a growing art community, while still maintaining a friendly small town atmosphere.
From its beginnings as an important railroad town in the late 1800’s, to its modern-day status as the county seat, Carrizozo has a rich history, and visitors are welcome to tour the newly-opened Carrizozo Heritage Museum to learn more about the heritage of our town. Nearby attractions include the fascinating Valley of Fires lava flow, Three Rivers Petroglyph site, the gold-mining ghost town of White Oaks, and the natural attractions of the Lincoln National Forest and Wilderness areas.
With its name derived from the Spanish word “carrizo” meaning a reed-like grass, an extra “zo” was added to proclaim the abundance of the grass in the region, and the town moniker was born. At 5425 feet above sea level, with an annual rainfall of 12-14 inches, and 10-15% humidity, Carrizozo boasts four distinct yet mild seasons. While residents admire the surrounding snow-capped peaks in the winter season, snowfall in Carrizozo is minimal and rarely lasts more than a day.
Please accept our invitation to visit the Town of Carrizozo on your next journey to historic Lincoln County, New Mexico!
DISCOVER CARRIZOZO
At The Crossroads of New Mexico
announcements
Music in the Parks-McDonald Park
Aug 17th 2pm. This final concert of the Music in the Parks series will be held at McDonald Park on Central Ave across from the Post Office. Lanny Maddox will thrill with Native American Flutes and Fred Kinnan and Tim Rice will provide jazz guitar music. Bring a chair and a hat.
Bird House Auction
Saturday Aug 31st we will have the annual bird house auction to raise money for the Street Fair?s continuing education scholarship fund. The auction will be at the Four Winds Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. To see some of the birdhouses, click here or stop by La BrewJa, City Bank, Wells Fargo, Manny?s Caf?, Temptations, Big Blue Auction, and Gallery 408 to see them ?up close and personal.?
Labor Day Street Fair
The Labor Day Street Fair, Monday, September 1st, begins at 10:00 a.m. with what promises to be a spectacular parade with the Carrizozo High School Class of 2022 ? the current Rocking Horse Daycare kids ? leading off the parade! Mike Lagg?s Outrageous Obstacle Course will, of course, be a major focus again, along with other games so the kids will have tons of fun. There will be all kinds of art and craft vendors ? from pottery and jewelry, to quilts and wood work! Food vendors and chile tastes from the Chile Cook-off will also be happenin?! And, if that?s not enough, we?re having an Old Fashioned Cake Walk (or New-Fangled Food Walk!) with baked good and other treats made by our friends and neighbors! We have a great line up for music all day, too:
Paul Pino and the Tone Daddies
Desert Wind
New Mexico Saxaphone Quartet
No One Cares