Last updated on .
Eagle Nest is a tiny village in northern New Mexico. We passed through while driving the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.
History
Founded as Therma in the early 20th century, the town was renamed Eagle Nest in the 1930s. There’s nothing to see as it’s mostly a summer home and resort destination. Nearby is Eagle Nest Lake State Park, which is popular for camping and fishing.
Historic District
There’s not much to see in Eagle Nest. The historic district is a block long and sits next to the Laguna Vista Lodge, founded in 1898.
One historic marker we spotted had a good sense of humor. The title was “Saks Fifth Avenue”, and the body said “Nope, the Valley Store”. It marked the location of a general store that used to serve the town and other communities in the area. It continued by saying “full service stores are a considerable drive…just the way we like it!”
Laguna Vista Saloon
We sat down to lunch at the historic Laguna Vista Saloon, which is operated by the lodge. It served as a gambling and dance hall when it opened in 1898. They served decent bar food.
