Places to go

With New Mexico being on lockdown for more than four months now, there may be more than a few residents eager for a getaway. But in the midst of a pandemic and lockdown, where does one go while maintaining social distancing and traveling guidelines?

Here are five day trips eastern New Mexicans can take for a fun, social distancing getaway that will have you back home in time for bed.

Ute Lake

Location: 1800 540 Loop, Logan

Distance: 80 miles from Clovis

Restrictions: No camping; no fires; limited parking

Cost: $5 parking fee

Ute Lake just outside Logan is a favorite summer hangout for area residents. The reservoir is one of the longest lakes in the state at nearly 13 miles, and while the visitor center, camping, comfort stations, and group shelter remain closed, North Area and Rogers are still open to visitors. Park officials require people to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and no more than five people are allowed to a group.

Ghost towns

Location: 22 miles west of Tucumcari off I-40 East.

Distance: From Montoya to Lincoln, 190 miles. Clovis to Montoya, 103 miles

Restrictions: None

Cost: Just your gas.

Have an interest in ghost towns? Located just west of Tucumcari on Old Route 66, Montoya was established in 1902 as a loading point for the Southern Pacific Railroad with the remains of the Casa Alta house still remaining, along with its former store.

Just a little farther southwest of Montoya is Duran, which is not a true ghost town as it still houses about 35 residents. It was also established in 1902 and contains the remains of a general store and hotel.

And as long as you're not opposed to getting an early start and arriving home after dark, you can make a full circle of New Mexico ghost towns and continue south to add Ancho, White Oaks, and Lincoln to the list. From Lincoln, you have a straight shot to Roswell to make your way back home.

Ruidoso

Location: Southwest of Clovis and Portales via U.S. 70

Distance: 165 miles from Portales

Restrictions: Standard mask and social distancing rules

Cost: None for hiking

While plenty of the shops and restaurants are still open in this small tourist town with a population of almost 8,000 people, there's also plenty of beautiful scenery to be had if you're looking to stay out of town and maintain your distance from others. If you enjoy outdoor activities, hiking trails - including the Fort Stanton Equestrian Trail Head and the Smokey Bear Ranger District Trails - can offer a day of fun and mountain scenery. And if one decides to make the endeavor an overnight camping trip, there's always locations like the Cedar Creek Recreation Area.

Sitting Bull Falls

Directions: From U.S. 285 north of Carlsbad, turn west onto NM 137. Continue on NM 137 for about 20 miles until you find County Road 409. Turn right on this road and continue. The Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Site is at the end of this road.

Distance: 191 miles from Portales

Restrictions: Standard mask and social distancing rules

Cost: $5 parking fee

The United States Department of Agriculture refers to Sitting Bull Falls near Carlsbad as "a rare gem in the hot desert," with its beautiful scenery that includes pools of water and a waterfall. The recreation area has plenty of trails of varying distances to offer, and it is easy to keep your distance from others when hiking. Just remember your hiking shoes and your camera.

Las Vegas, New Mexico

Location: Northwest of Clovis via U.S. 84 West

Distance: 171 miles from Clovis

Restrictions: Fort Union Visitors Center closed, but the trails remain open

Cost: None unless you visit shops or restaurants in the town

Again, it might make for a long day, but if you're a history buff and have a love of photography, Las Vegas is the day trip for you. This small town of about 13,000 is full of history with its Plaza Hotel, among many other historic treasures, such as churches, homes, and the ruins of the famous Civil War site, Fort Union. A map of the town's historic treasures can be found at visitlasvegasnm.com