Catron County, New Mexico travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Catron County is a rural county in Southwest New Mexico. Pie Town is covered in a separate article.

5 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Catron County

Alma

A ghost town with a well-tended cemetery. It was the site of the Alma massacre in 1880, and on that event's centenary a monument to it was erected in the Gila Wilderness.

Mogollon

A mining ghost town that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lightning Field

An artistic installation of 400 stainless-steel poles near Quemado, created by Walter de Maria.

Whitewater Baldy

The highest point in Southwestern New Mexico, at 10895 ft.

Elfego Baca Memorial

Commemorates the Frisco Shootout that occurred on December 1, 1884. Supposedly Baca single-handedly held off eighty attacking cowboys.

Catwalk National Recreational Trail

A one-mile trail following the path of an old water pipe used in mining.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Petrified Forest National Park)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
SVC Grant County Airport, Silver City — 90 mi away. Directions
SOW Show Low Regional Airport, Show Low — 94 mi away. Directions
ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 129 mi away (major hub). Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Alma, Mogollon
Lunch Pie Town
Afternoon Whitewater Baldy, Elfego Baca Memorial

Day 2

Morning Lightning Field
Afternoon Catwalk National Recreational Trail

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

See

See Alma

A ghost town with a well-tended cemetery. It was the site of the Alma massacre in 1880, and on that event's centenary a monument to it was erected in the Gila Wilderness.

Maps