Ride to the Kid's Gravesite
I threw my leg over my stead and headed out to look for the infamous outlaw. Ok I can’t do this odd old western talk, but I did saddle up on my “steel horse” (had to) and headed out to Fort Sumner, NM. My goal was to check out Billy the Kid’s gravesite.
About the Kid
Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty on November 23, 1859, and also known as William H. Bonney, is one of the most infamous outlaws in American history. His legend is intertwined with the lawlessness of the American Old West, particularly during the Lincoln County War in New Mexico.
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Billy the Kid's criminal career began in his teens, involving cattle rustling, theft, and eventually murder. He became notorious for his quick draw and daring escapades, which earned him a reputation as a skilled gunslinger. His participation in the Lincoln County War—a conflict between rival cattle barons and merchants—cemented his status as a feared outlaw. Despite being captured and sentenced to hang for the murder of Sheriff William Brady, he famously escaped from jail, killing two deputies in the process.
Pursued relentlessly by lawmen, Billy the Kid's life came to a dramatic end on July 14, 1881, when he was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. His death at the age of 21 only added to his legend, which has been romanticized in books, films, and folklore. Billy the Kid remains a symbol of the Wild West, embodying both the era's lawlessness and its mythic allure. |
I was introduced to the Kid through stories, but what grabbed my imagination was the Young Guns series of movies. Emilio Estevez played Billy the Kid, and the rest of the cast were Hollywood stars. These movies had me loving six-shooters and the idea of the cowboy life. I have probably watched these movies over 100 times. This and Tombstone are necessary if you are interested in the Old West.
The Ride
Gravesite Address:
3501 Billy the Kid Road
Fort Sumner, NM 88119
From Albuquerque, NM, to the gravesite in Fort Sumner is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can accomplish this in a couple of ways. The fastest is taking I-40 east to Santa Rosa and then south to Fort Sumner.
If you prefer two lanes to the major interstate, you can take the slightly longer route, which will take you through Vaughn, NM. You will be taking US 285 and US 60.
Either way, take you along part of Route 66, which is always a motorcycling icon.
There are plenty of gas and restroom stops along the way. Depending on your tank size and MPG, you can make it on one fill-up as long as you fill up in Fort Sumner on your way back. If you are a fan of breaking every hour and a half, then I would suggest stopping at the major truck stops in Santa Rosa before heading to Fort Sumner.
This ride takes you through a lot of New Mexico farmland, which is mostly straight flatlands. You will go through a mountain pass. If you are not used to the elevation, don’t worry you are not staying at the high point. The pass is not difficult, but on I40, expect slower traffic at this point.
3501 Billy the Kid Road
Fort Sumner, NM 88119
From Albuquerque, NM, to the gravesite in Fort Sumner is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can accomplish this in a couple of ways. The fastest is taking I-40 east to Santa Rosa and then south to Fort Sumner.
If you prefer two lanes to the major interstate, you can take the slightly longer route, which will take you through Vaughn, NM. You will be taking US 285 and US 60.
Either way, take you along part of Route 66, which is always a motorcycling icon.
There are plenty of gas and restroom stops along the way. Depending on your tank size and MPG, you can make it on one fill-up as long as you fill up in Fort Sumner on your way back. If you are a fan of breaking every hour and a half, then I would suggest stopping at the major truck stops in Santa Rosa before heading to Fort Sumner.
This ride takes you through a lot of New Mexico farmland, which is mostly straight flatlands. You will go through a mountain pass. If you are not used to the elevation, don’t worry you are not staying at the high point. The pass is not difficult, but on I40, expect slower traffic at this point.
Fort Sumner
Fort Sumner, located in De Baca County, New Mexico, is a historic site with a rich past tied to the American West. Established in 1862 by the U.S. Army, the fort served as a military post during the American Civil War. It later became known for its role in the Bosque Redondo Reservation experiment.
The fort was the center of a controversial and tragic episode in American history when the U.S. government forced thousands of Navajo and Mescalero Apache people to relocate to the Bosque Redondo Reservation in 1863-1868. The relocation, known as the "Long Walk," was marked by extreme hardship, and many Native Americans died due to inadequate supplies and harsh conditions. The experiment ultimately failed, and the Navajo were allowed to return to their homeland.
Today, Fort Sumner is a small community that preserves its historical heritage while serving as a reminder of the complex and often difficult history of the American frontier.
The fort was the center of a controversial and tragic episode in American history when the U.S. government forced thousands of Navajo and Mescalero Apache people to relocate to the Bosque Redondo Reservation in 1863-1868. The relocation, known as the "Long Walk," was marked by extreme hardship, and many Native Americans died due to inadequate supplies and harsh conditions. The experiment ultimately failed, and the Navajo were allowed to return to their homeland.
Today, Fort Sumner is a small community that preserves its historical heritage while serving as a reminder of the complex and often difficult history of the American frontier.
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