Next to New Mexico’s Lincoln Nation Forest lies a gorgeous resort that few people outside the state know about. Inn of the Mountain Gods, which is close to the town of Ruidoso, flies under the radar because it’s in a relatively uninhabited part of New Mexico, on the 463,000 acre Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. With its tranquil lakefront setting and abundant recreational opportunities, this resort might well become your new favorite summer destination.

The scenery at Inn of the Mountain Gods is obviously stunning, but the hotel’s interior is impressive too.

Room sizes are generous, with a standard rooms starting at 524 square feet.

Lake Mescalero is the centerpiece of this resort. Its presence, along with the surrounding mountains, ensures that the views from the hotel and the property are serene.

Just seeing that water makes you want to curl up with a good summer read or…

…Go ziplining over it.

The ZipRider is open from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. The ride only lasts for a minute – the zipline is 2668 feet long - but you can hit speeds of 55 miles per hour! (You do need to make a reservation for this activity.)

In addition to soaring over the lake, you can also rent various watercraft, including pedal boats, row boats, and kayaks.

This year, the resort began offering paddle board rentals too.

This is a great spot for fishing. Even those with limited experience can give it a try - it’s so easy. Lake Mescalero is stocked with 20,000 trout; you can buy fishing permits and bait on site, and also rent poles.

Outdoor activities extend beyond the water. The golf course scored a spot on a list by "Golf Digest," naming the top 40 casino golf courses.

Inn of the Mountain Gods offers several restaurants such as a low-key sports bar and also Wendell’s, a steakhouse and seafood restaurant, which consistently wins Open Table’s Diners Choice awards. The Gathering of Nations Buffet is a great deal for those with large appetites.

Inside, the entertainment options continue with gambling at the casino. Then, on Friday and Saturday nights, head to the 1852 Treaty Room to hear live music or hit up Club 49, where bands regularly perform. If you’re staying on a Wednesday, tickets to comedy night at Club 49 are a steal at $5 a pop.

You’ll find Inn of the Mountain Gods at: 287 Carrizo Canyon Road

Mescalero.

Learn a little about the Mescalero Apache Tribe before your visit.

Have you chilled out at Inn of the Mountain Gods yet?

New Mexico really does offer some awesome places to stay, from stunning resorts like this one to cabins in the forest and even a cave hotel!