Billy the Kid is in south-central New Mexico nearly 50 miles west of Roswell. The byway forms a loop drive beginning and ending in Hondo. It is 68 miles long and follows US 380, NM 48, and US 70. The roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Billy the Kid is open year-round.

Billy the Kid travels through a region of grassy plains and pine forests, and through towns of historic significance. Lincoln's main street is lined with adobe homes and commercial buildings that date back to the late 1800s. It is here that Billy the Kid was tried, convicted, and sentenced to hang. Before the law carried out its sentence, Billy killed the prison guards and escaped from the Lincoln County Courthouse. Sheriff Pat Garrett eventually tracked him to Fort Sumner, where Billy was killed on July 14, 1881. Travelers of the byway can tour the Old Lincoln County Court-house Museum.

Portions of the byway travel through Lincoln National Forest. There are two national forest campgrounds near the byway, west of Alto: Skyline and Oak Grove. Skyline Campground is one mile west of Alto on NM 532, then four miles northwest on FSR 117. It has 17 RV and tent sites; RVs are limited to 16 feet long. Oak Grove Campground is five miles west of Alto on NM 532. It has 29 RV and tent sites; RVs are limited to 16 feet long. There are no hookups or drinking water at either campground and both are open mid-May to mid-September.

Information: Village of Ruidoso, 313 Cree Meadows Dr. (PO Drawer 69), Ruidoso NM 88345 / 505-258-4014 or 505-258-3017. Lincoln National Forest, Smokey Bear Ranger District, 901 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso NM 88345 / 505-257-4095