Lincoln district, New Mexico, United States

Places to visit near Capitan

Capitan is a town in Lincoln district, New Mexico, United States, home to about 1,392 people. Within 50 km by road there are 146 places to visit — 67 hill stations & viewpoints, 44 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 parks and 5 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area (10 km), Bonito Lake (23 km) and Fox Cave (24 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Capitan on the map

Capitan, New Mexico
Capitan, Lincoln district, New Mexico, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Capitan at a glance

Location
Lincoln district, New Mexico, United States
Population
about 1,392
Coordinates
33.5454° N, 105.5722° W
Places within 50 km
146 (8 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks

Top places to visit near Capitan

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Capitan: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Capitan

Things to see near Capitan, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Capitan

117 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Capitan. The closest is Capitan Mountains (2 km); the best-known is Carrizo Mountain (27 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Capitan

57 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Capitan. The closest is Forest Tank (7 km); the best-known is Bonito Lake (23 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Parks near Capitan

11 parks within 100 km of Capitan. The closest is Smokey Bear Historical Park (1 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Capitan

11 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Capitan. The closest is White Mountain Wilderness (26 km); the best-known is Capitan Mountains Wilderness (29 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Forts & heritage near Capitan

10 forts & heritage within 100 km of Capitan. The closest is Capitan Depot (1 km); the best-known is Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area (10 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Capitan

10 churches within 100 km of Capitan. The closest is Trinity Southern Baptist Church (1 km); the best-known is Church Mountain (22 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Capitan

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 78 km on the road.

  1. Start in Capitan
  2. 1 km Smokey Bear Historical Park · park, Lincoln
  3. 1 km Smokey Bear Museum · museum, Lincoln
  4. 22 km Bonito Lake · lake, Lincoln
  5. 28 km Fox Cave · cave, Lincoln
  6. 16 km Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area · fort, Lincoln
  7. 10 km Back to Capitan

Plan a longer trip from Capitan — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Capitan

No traveller has reported from around Capitan yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Capitan

    All places near Capitan by distance

    Within 15 km of Capitan

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Capitan by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints67117Capitan Mountains (2 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs4457Forest Tank (7 km)
    Parks511Smokey Bear Historical Park (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens511White Mountain Wilderness (26 km)
    Forts & heritage810Capitan Depot (1 km)
    Churches910Trinity Southern Baptist Church (1 km)
    Museums57Wildland Firefighter Museum (1 km)
    Caves35Fort Stanton Cave (11 km)
    Waterfalls05Tullarosa Falls (76 km)

    Capitan: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Capitan?

    Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area (fort, about 10 km), Smokey Bear Historical Park (park, about 1 km), Smokey Bear Museum (museum, about 1 km), Bonito Lake (lake, about 23 km), Fox Cave (cave, about 24 km), Carrizo Mountain (viewpoint, about 27 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Capitan?

    146 places on Spotwander: 67 hill stations & viewpoints, 44 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 5 parks, 5 wildlife, forests & gardens, 8 forts & heritage.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Capitan?

    Capitan Mountains, about 2 km by road; Galt Peak (8 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Capitan?

    Forest Tank, about 7 km by road; West Spur Tank (8 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Capitan?

    Smokey Bear Historical Park, about 1 km by road; Lincoln State Monument Point of Interest (23 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Capitan?

    Start in Capitan, visit Smokey Bear Historical Park, then Smokey Bear Museum, then Bonito Lake, then Fox Cave, then Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area, and drive back — about 78 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Capitan?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks.

    Towns near Capitan

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Capitan’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Capitan on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.