Fort Sumner

Besides its historic significance as one of the area's earliest military outposts and the place where Billy the Kid was killed, the town of Fort Sumner is known for its air park, where NASA launches balloons used in scientific research. Nearby Sumner Lake provides irrigation for area farms and ranches, as well as boating and fishing opportunities. In June the De Baca County Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Old Fort Days here, with living-history demonstrations and mock shoot-outs.

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To continue touring southeastern New Mexico, the easiest route (132 miles) is to backtrack to Roswell via Highway 20 to U.S. 285 and head west

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