By Hilary Kitzman
Chills and Bills: The decked-out Pioneer Village opens all October, serving as a thrilling event and fundraiser for the museum.
The Sacramento Mountains Museum & Pioneer Village is one of Cloudcroft’s most immersive stops for visitors, a walkable collection of historic cabins, artifacts, and stories tucked beneath the aspens. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just see history; you step directly into it.
Museum Director Neila Farmer says, “The history here is just unbelievable. Visitors don’t realize what else is here because they just see this small building from the road. They can’t imagine what’s back there. People call it a little gem.”
Spread across 2.5 wooded acres, the museum features over 15 structures including a fire barn, caboose, a pioneer cottage and chapel – each restored and decorated to reflect the era in which Cloudcroft was built. Visitors can take self-guided tours through stories of the Mescalero Apache homeland, the timber boom, and the railroad era that shaped the village.
Neila adds, “When they do come through, they are shocked that we have all these different homes, blacksmith shop, schools, barber shop and church. It’s all time period and decorated that way on the inside.”
Museum Treasurer Lynn Melton agrees that the museum’s charm lies in how the stories come alive. “I’d like them to have a sense of not the objects, but how things were done. And I think we’ll be moving towards much more telling that story as the years go on”
Every October, the Pioneer Village transforms into the Haunted Village: a spooky, family‑friendly walk‑through experience that has become one of Cloudcroft’s biggest seasonal draws.
Haunted Cloudcroft Tradition
Now in its 15th year, the October Haunted Village event continues to grow in scale, creativity, and attendance.
Taking place from 7-10 PM on eight nights in October at the museum, the event takes visitors of all ages back into spooky history for a $15 entrance fee per person.
Visitors wander through eerie vignettes, glowing lantern paths, and handcrafted sets built inside the historic cabins themselves. It’s atmospheric, immersive, and unlike any other Halloween event in southern New Mexico.
The idea began in 2012 when Brent Kass and his friend Dan King saw the potential in the museum’s historic grounds. Brent says, “It’s already a ghost town before you even start decorating. So you couldn’t really ask for a better palette to work with.”
Neila remembers Brent’s first visit clearly: “When he came here to look at the museum and the property, he thought this would be a magical place for Halloween.”
Behind the Spooky Scenes
The Haunted Village doesn’t appear overnight.
Preparation begins in July, and the museum closes for August and September so Brent and team can build sets, install lighting, rehearse characters, and transform cabins into spooky scenes.
Taylor Rogers, who has worked with Brent for six years, has a long history with the event. “I was in eighth grade in school here in Cloudcroft when I first came to the event, and I remember bugging Brent about helping volunteer with scaring. And ever since then, it went from helping out with scaring to helping him put on the whole show.”
Brent adds, “if you come here, you’re going to see $80,000 worth of Halloween now.” Brent gets much of his inspiration from high-end special effects from all over the country, including Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion and Universal Studios.
Taylor says the buildout is his favorite part. “We have a great time putting this all together. So for me it’s building it, not really seeing it.”
“I think what makes this a big deal is that there’s no one else in the area really doing this…We’re pretty much the only Halloween entertainment that’s up on the mountain or really in the area,” he says.
Essential Scares
For the museum, Haunted Village isn’t just fun; it’s necessary. The event has become the museum’s largest fundraiser, supporting exhibits, maintenance, and year‑round programming.
Neila says, “People love it. They don’t believe that something in a town this small could put on something this big.”
The turnout speaks for itself. “It’s been amazing really,” Neila says. “We’ve had such great reviews, and people love it. And in terms of numbers, we have people out the door around the block...I know we have had over 2,000 people during the times we have done it.”
“Those are the satisfying moments for us, that we can stand back and be happy that it worked the way we wanted to do it,” Brent says.
“We want people to come because it’s a great benefit and it supports the museum, and it gives me more money for next year’s event,” he grins.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re here for the history or the haunts, the Sacramento Mountains Museum & Pioneer Village offers one of Cloudcroft’s most memorable experiences. Bring cash.
Haunted Village 2026 Schedule
October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
7 – 10 PM
$15 per person
Museum Hours
Located at 1000 Highway 82, in Cloudcroft
Winter (weather permitting) – 10:00 - 4:00 PM – Friday and Saturday
Summer (effective Memorial Day) – 10:00 - 4:00 PM – Wednesday to Saturday
Closed: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Adults $5.00, Children 6-12 $3:00, Military Discount $1.00 with valid ID.
About Hilary Kitzman:
Local EMT, volunteer with the Cloudcroft VFD, and now Cloudcroft Reader and Mountain Monthly Multimedia Storyteller Hilary Kitzman is a movie producer. She and her husband Andy moved to Cloudcroft after living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and spending nearly 20 years working in Hollywood and Los Angeles.
Her recent film, Wild Like Me, features inmates in an Arizona prison who train wild mustangs, finding “purpose and redemption”—a project she edited from Cloudcroft.
Wild Like Me streams on Great American Pure Flix and is available on Amazon Prime.
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Ski Cloudcroft
The Southernmost ski area in New Mexico.Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life ImprovementHigh Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro AvenueOff the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Cloudcroft Art Society
Located in Old Red Brick Schoolhouse: Holiday and Saturday art showsNoisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.Homee
Your success is our successBe in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village PlazaThe Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico ResortsCloudcroft Art Workshops
Enhance your artistry while enjoying the beauty and coolness of the mountains!Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your SoulLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueBlushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest + Mountain Provisions, Goods & FineryThe PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the CloudsBre Hope Media
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