You may be wondering about some of the details of your stay at New Mexico Skies. "Can I bring my pet?" "Do I need to bring my own food?" "Will I be allowed to smoke?" Well, the answers to those and other questions are right here--and, of course, if you have any further questions, we'll be glad to assist you via email or over the phone.

Bring your own food: New Mexico Skies is not a "Bed & Breakfast." In our experience, amateur astronomers vary widely in their meal requirements-both content and timing. All of our units have fully equipped kitchens: full-size stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, etc. While there are restaurants in Cloudcroft, cafes in Mayhill and Weed, and a country eatery nearby, you need to plan to return to New Mexico Skies before dark. Groceries can be obtained in Alamogordo or Ruidoso (several supermarkets), Cloudcroft (Mountain Top Mercantile general store with a great bakery), and there are convenience stores in both Cloudcroft and Mayhill.

Your kitchen has all of the basics for heating microwave snacks or cooking a full dinner including dishes and cookware. You just need to bring your favorite groceries. We do provide salt & pepper, cooking spray, and packets of coffee, sugar, sweetener and creamer.

Linens: Your unit will be made up with fresh bed linens and towels on your arrival. We do not offer daily maid service-we don't want to disturb your daytime sleep or nighttime privacy. Extra towels are available from the lodge office. Longer term guests will be provided fresh linens on a weekly basis.

Minimum Stay: New Mexico Skies has a two-night minimum stay requirement. Of course you are welcome to stay just one night if you can pull yourself away, but our minimum charge is for two nights. Astronomers have sleeping, eating and observing needs that just don't fit the normal "motel" type of operation. We hope that you will want to stay a week or two to enjoy the fabulous skies, natural surroundings and exceptional equipment.

Smoking: All New Mexico Skies buildings provide a smoke-free environment for the safety and enjoyment of all of our guests. Generally you may smoke on your unit's deck area where sand buckets are provided for all ashes and butts. Please do not smoke on the grounds. Forest fires are a serious problem in the Sacramento Mountains.

No Camping and No Pets: New Mexico Skies does not have accommodations for camping units or pets. We can suggest local facilities if you are interested in RVing/camping in the Sacramento Mountains. We do not provide telescopes or observing sites to astronomers not staying with us.

Lights: "White" lights are not allowed on the grounds after dark. You may use red flashlights (we will provide you with one) and we have installed dim red outside lighting. We want to protect everyone's night vision. Most of our rooms have dual (white or red) lighting as well. After dark, please protect your own night vision and respect the common rules against white light trespass. Please plan on arriving before dark.

Exploring: Please, as you enjoy your surroundings, do not remove things from their natural location or leave trash behind. You are either on private property or National Forest Lands.

Equipment: We will make every effort to have the equipment you have rented set up and ready for use by the end of astronomical twilight or as soon as possible after the sky clears. If you are using your own equipment, please understand that we do not provide instructions on using equipment other than ours.