Bear Necessities Lodge - Things To Do in Angel Fire

Looking for the best things to do in Angel Fire, New Mexico? Whether you're visiting for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golf, festivals, or scenic drives through the Enchanted Circle, these are some of our favorite activities near Bear Necessities Lodge.

Things to Do in Angel Fire Near Bear Necessities Lodge

One of the best parts of staying at Bear Necessities Lodge is having easy access to the best things to do in Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Taos, Red River, and the Enchanted Circle. Spend the day exploring Northern New Mexico, then return to a peaceful mountain retreat where wildlife is often right outside your window.

We’ve personally visited many of the places below and regularly update this guide as we discover new favorites. Whether you’re visiting for skiing, mountain biking, family adventures, or simply relaxing in the mountains, we hope it helps you make the most of your stay in Angel Fire.

Summer Adventures in Angel Fire

Angel Fire Resort (10-15 minutes)

Angel Fire Resort isn’t just for winter. During the summer you’ll find scenic chairlift rides, one of the nation’s top mountain bike parks, hiking trails, disc golf, and seasonal festivals.

Scenic Chile Express chairlift
Mountain Bike Park
Disc golf
Hiking
Summer events

Angel Fire Country Club & Monte Verde Lake (10 minutes)

Spend the day golfing, playing tennis or pickleball, swimming in the indoor pool or relaxing at Monte Verde Lake. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, or fishing boats while enjoying the cool mountain temperatures. Then take a leisurely walk or hike along the trails surrounding the lake and soak in the beautiful mountain scenery.

Activities

Championship golf
Tennis & pickleball
Indoor pool & fitness center

At Monte Verde Lake

Scenic walking trails
Fishing
Kayaks
Paddleboards
Canoes

Angels Outback Adventures (17 minutes)

One of our favorite adventures near Angel Fire.
Explore miles of scenic mountain trails through the Carson National Forest in a GPS-guided side-by-side. Their routes are easy to follow for beginners while offering incredible scenery and plenty of opportunities to stop and explore. Half-day or full-day adventures are available.

Roadrunner Tours (20 minutes)

Enjoy guided horseback rides through the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains with options for beginners through experienced riders.
Choose from a variety of guided rides from shorter scenic outings to longer trail adventures.
During the summer, covered wagon rides provide a relaxing way to experience the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with the whole family.

Winter Adventures in Angel Fire

Angel Fire Resort (10-15 minutes)

Angel Fire transforms into one of New Mexico’s premier winter destinations.

Highlights

Skiing
Snowboarding
Snow tubing
Nordic skiing
Snowshoeing

Christmas & New Year’s

The holidays are one of our favorite times in Angel Fire.

Don’t miss:

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
Christmas Eve Fireworks
Ski with Santa
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Roadrunner Tours (20 minutes)

Experience the beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on a winter sleigh ride through the snow-covered landscape.
Depending on snow conditions, horseback rides may also be available during parts of the winter season.

Ice Fishing (25-30 minutes)

Nearby Eagle Nest Lake offers guided ice fishing trips throughout the winter.
Many outfitters provide heated shelters, equipment, bait, and instruction.
Perfect for beginners or experienced anglers.

Family Activities in Angel Fire

Families staying at Bear Necessities Lodge often enjoy:

Olympic Park playground
Monte Verde Lake
Angel Fire Bike Park
Scenic chairlift rides
Summer Music Series
Farmers Market
Wildlife watching from the deck

Wildlife Around Bear Necessities Lodge

One thing that makes Bear Necessities Lodge unique is the wildlife.

While sightings are never guaranteed, guests frequently see:

Mule deer
Wild turkeys
Elk
Black bears
Rabbits
Hawks
Hummingbirds

Many of our Facebook followers enjoy keeping up with Cinnamon, one of the black bears that occasionally visits the property.

Please remember that wildlife should always be enjoyed from a safe distance. Never feed or approach wild animals.

Worth the Drive

If you’re staying several days, these nearby destinations make excellent half-day or full-day excursions.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

One of the most moving attractions in northern New Mexico.

Taos

Historic Taos Plaza, Taos Pueblo, unique shopping, art galleries, and excellent restaurants make this one of our favorite day trips.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

One of New Mexico’s most photographed landmarks with breathtaking views of the Rio Grande Gorge.

Eagle Nest

A charming mountain town known for its beautiful lake, fishing, boating, local shops, and relaxed mountain atmosphere.

Red River

A picturesque mountain town offering shopping, restaurants, hiking, seasonal events, and a lively atmosphere year-round.

☀️ Summer Adventures

Angel Fire Resort — Scenic Chairlift

Even if you don’t mountain bike, the scenic chairlift is worth the ride for the mountain views, especially during fall peak times (mid-September to early October).

Monte Verde Lake

Pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon at Monte Verde Lake before returning to Bear Necessities Lodge to relax on the deck and watch for wildlife.

Angels Outback Adventures

We recommend the half-day excursion on the main loop. It offers a great mix of scenery, varied terrain, and plenty of opportunities to stop for photos. Bring water, snacks, sunglasses or goggles, and a neck gaiter or bandana since the trails can become dusty during dry weather.

❄️ Winter Adventures

Angel Fire Resort — Skiing & Snowboarding

Arrive early after fresh snowfall for easier parking and shorter lift lines. Book ski school lessons months in advance.

Christmas & New Year’s Celebrations

Dress warmly and arrive early for a great viewing spot.

Roadrunner Tours — Sleigh Rides

Dress warmly and bring the outdoor blankets from Bear Necessities Lodge to stay warm during the ride.

🚗 Scenic Drives & Day Trips

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Plan about an hour to explore the memorial, chapel, museum, and Veterans Walkway before continuing around the Enchanted Circle.

Taos

If you’re making a day of it, arrive in the morning so you have plenty of time to browse the Plaza, enjoy lunch, and stop at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on the way back.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Bring your camera and pack a picnic lunch to eat at one of the covered picnic table areas overlooking the gorge.

Eagle Nest

It’s a wonderful place to grab lunch or ice cream before taking the scenic drive back to Bear Necessities Lodge.

Red River

We love visiting Red River during festivals, then returning to the quiet of Bear Necessities Lodge for a relaxing evening.

Restaurants in Angel Fire

Looking for a great meal after a day of exploring? We've created a separate restaurant guide featuring our favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner, pizza, barbeque, coffee, and dessert spots. Guests receive the guide after booking.

Why We Love Staying on the Angel Fire Ski Mountain

Guests often ask why we chose a cabin on the Angel Fire ski mountain as our vacation home.

It’s simple.

✔ Cooler summer temperatures

✔ Peaceful forest setting

✔ Frequent wildlife

✔ Large private lot backing to a greenbelt

✔ Easy access to both Angel Fire and the Enchanted Circle

After a day of exploring, one of our favorite traditions is relaxing on the wraparound deck and watching the forest come alive as evening settles over the mountain.

Those are the same reasons we chose Bear Necessities Lodge as our own vacation home, and why we love sharing it with guests who want to experience everything the Angel Fire area has to offer.

Staying at Bear Necessities Lodge gives you easy access to the best of Angel Fire and the Enchanted Circle, making it the perfect home base for your Northern New Mexico mountain vacation.