Lincoln National Forest
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Developed Camping Areas on the Smokey Bear Ranger District
Campground Name Open Stay Limit Elevation Fishing Handicaped accessible Toilets Picnic Tables Campfires Trash collection Trailhead Fees Drinking Water Symbol - Campground Camping Trailer
Southfork May 15-Sept 15 14 days 7,500'  X X X X X X X $10 per vehicle X 60 sites 35'

Follow NM 48, 9 miles north from Ruidoso; turn west (left) and follow NM 37 for 1-1/2 miles, turn southwest (left) on Forest Road 107 (County Road C-009), continue for 5 miles. Pass Bonito Lake, turn left go straight for about 1 mile.
Three Rivers Year round 14 days 6,400'

X X X X X $6 per vehicle X 12 sites 25'

24 miles south of Carrizozo or 18 miles north of Tularosa on US 54, turn east onto Forest Road 579 at the sign that says Three Rivers Petroglyph Site and Campground, go 13 miles (the last 7 miles are dirt). The road is well marked to the campground. Trailhead #44 into White Mountain Wilderness located at upper end of campground.
Skyline May 1 - Nov 1 14 days 9,000'

X X X
X

17 sites

Follow NM 48 north out of Ruidoso 4 miles and turn west (left) on NM 532 for 1 mile. Turn north (right) onto Forest Road 117 and go 4 miles on gravel, the last 2 miles can be rough.
Monjeau May 1 - Nov 1 15 days 9,500'

X X X
X

4 sites

Take NM 48 north out of Ruidoso for 4 miles. Turn west (left) on NM 532 for 1 mile. Turn north (right) on Forest Road 117 for 5 miles. The last 3 miles may be rough.
Oak Grove May 1 - Sept 15 14 days 8,400'

X X X X
$6 per vehicle
30 sites 18'

Take NM 48 north out of Ruidoso for 4 miles, turn west (left) on NM 532 and go 5 miles.
Baca Year round 14 days


X





X 15'

About 10 miles east of the village of Capitan on US 380, turn left on Forest Road 57 and go about 7 miles. The Baca area is on the north (left) side of FR 57. This is a pinon-juniper area with room for tent and trailer camping.
Group Area Camping General Information Fees Maximum Group Size
Sam Tobias Memorial Campground (formerly Cedar Creek) These units are available by reservation only. All reservations can be made by calling the toll-free number 877-444-6777. All units are wheelchair accessible and have pavilions, picnic tables, campfire pits, grills, water, vault toilets. Up to 60 people costs $60, 61-80 people costs $80, and 81-100 people costs $100. Total of 250 people per group.

Cedar Creek is about one mile up Forest Road 88 just north of the Smokey Bear Ranger Station. The Group Campground has three individual connecting units, which can accommodate a total of 250 people for camping or picnicking.
Dispersed Camping General Information Directions
Cedar Creek Stay limit is 3 days. No facilities available. Tent camping is allowed at the end of Cedar Creek, with limited room for pickup campers and small trailers. Follow FR 88 to its end, about 4 miles. This forested area is suitable for picnicking and walking.
Eagle Creek Stay limit is 30 days. No improvements. The camping is rough. Go 4 miles north of Ruidoso on NM 48, turn west (left) on NM 532 toward Sierra Blanca mountain. Go about 3 miles, then turn north (right) on to FR 127. This is a good area for hiking and seeing wildlife and wildflowers.
Argentina/Bonito Trailhead Stay limit is 15 days. Three corrals surrounded by ample pull-off areas for parking. Vault toilets available. There's a wooded area with meadows for camping. Wilderness trails are accessible from this location with good opportunities for loop hiking or horseback riding. No motorized vehicles (or bikes) allowed inside the Wilderness. Take NM48 north out of Ruidoso to FR 107 and go left to the end of the road. FR 107 ends about 5 miles past the turn-off to South Fork Campground.
Top of Capitan's (Capitan Wilderness) Stay limit is 30 days. 4-WHEEL DRIVE NEEDED. No motorized equipment or mechanized vehicles (or bikes) allowed inside the Wilderness (which is 100 feet to the North of FR 56). No improvements. This area is heavily timbered with Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and aspen. This is a good area to see wildlife and wildflowers. Few people use this area, so there is usually an opportunity for solitude. Go 2 miles east of Capitan on US 380, turn left on FT 56. This rough road goes to the top of the Capitan's: you will need a HIGH CLEARANCE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE for this road. The wilderness boundary is 100' north of FR 56.
Developed Camping Areas on the Sacramento Ranger District
Campground Name Stay Limit Elevation Toilets Picnic Tables Campfires Trash collection Trailhead Fees Drinking Water Symbol - Campground Camping Trailer
Silver Campground 14 days 9,000' X X X X X $11 for 1st vehicle - $5 each additional X 32 sites 32'

Located 2 miles NE of Cloudcroft on NM 244.  There are paved roads to and through campground.
Apache Campground 14 days 8,900' X X X X X $11 for 1st vehicle/$5 each additional X 26 sites 32'

Located 2 miles NE of Cloudcroft on NM 244. All paved roads to and through campground.
Saddle Campground 14 days 9,000' X X X X X $11.00 for 1st vehicle/$5 each additional X 17 sites 32'

Located 2 miles NE of Cloudcroft on NM 244. All paved roads to and through campgrounds.
Silver Overflow 14 days 9,000' X X X X X $9.00 for 1st vehicle/$4 each additional
52 sites No limit

Silver Overflow is located 2 miles NE of Cloudcroft on NM 244. It is completely paved.
Pine 14 days 8,800' X X X X
$9.00 for 1st vehicle/$4 each additional
48 sites 16'

Located 1 mile NE of Cloudcroft on NM 244. Interior roads are gravel.
Deerhead 14 days 8,700' X X X X
$9.00 for 1st vehicle/$4 each additional
34 sites

Located on NM 244 at the south edge of the village. Interior roads are gravel. Steep access, sharp turns and limited parking prohibit use of camping trailers.
Sleepy Grass 14 days 8,800' X X X X X $9.00 for 1st vehicle/$4 each additional X 45 sites 16'

Located off NM 130 about 1.4 miles south of the village. Bear left onto FR24B. Interior roads are gravel. Trail for the visually handicapped at south end of campground. Boy Scout camp next door.
Upper Karr 14 days 8,800' X
X X


200 people 16'

Located off NM 244 one mile NE of Cloudcroft.

Advance reservations may be made for the Sacramento Ranger District Group Area campsites. All reservations can be made by calling 877-444-6777. Other campsites on the Lincoln National Forest are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Area Camping General Information Fees Maximum Group Size
Aspen Group Elevation 8,700 ft. Toilets only. 5 sites on 5 acres. These units are available by reservation only. $45.00 for 1st 50 people.

Located 1.4 miles south of Cloudcroft off NM 130. Turn left onto FR 24B.
Black Bear Group Elevation 8,700 ft. 10 sites. Vault toilets, campfire pits, grills, picnic tables. These units are available by reservation only.


Campground is located 1.4 miles south of Cloudcroft off NM 130. Turn left onto FR 24B.
Lower Fir Group Elevation 8,680', 8 tables, 2 fire rings, toilet, drinking water hydrant, and garbage depositories are provided. These units are available by reservation only.
8 sites (200 - person capacity)

Located off NM 244 one mile NE of Cloudcroft. Unpaved interior roads.
Slide Group Elevation 8,700', 10 tables, 2 fire rings, toilet, and garbage depositories. Trailer length limit is 16 feet. These units are available by reservation only.
100-person capacity (parking limited to 12 trailers or 50 cars).

Campground is 2 miles south of Cloudcroft via NM 130 to FR 6563, turn west and go around the bend. Interior roads are gravel.
Upper Fir Group Elevation 8,000', 12 tables, 2 fire rings, toilet, drinking water hydrant, and garbage depositories are provided. RV's limited to 16' length. These units are available by reservation only.   7 sites, 200-person capacity.

Located off NM 244 one mile NE of Cloudcroft. The campground has recently paved interior roads.
Dispersed Camping General Information Directions
Bluff Springs Open year round. This popular camping area has a small waterfall, parking area and toilet. The springs are located 200 yards above the waterfall Bluff Springs is about 4 miles off NM 6563 (Sunspot Scenic Byway) on FR 164.
Bailey Canyon Open year round. This area has many undeveloped camp/picnic sites spread out along FR 206. This is an ORV Restricted Area. Access is steep and not suited to low clearance vehicles or those pulling trailers. Access is from NM 82 via Bailey Canyon.
Sacramento River Area Open year round. Sacramento Lake, a small, shallow, marshy body of water is not suited to most recreational activities. There are numerous undeveloped campsites and a small waterfall just above Apple Tree Canyon. RV's are limited to 16'. Sacramento River Area is along the Sacramento River (FR 537) from Thousandmile Canyon to Scott Able Canyon. A small stream is next to the all-weather road.
Hornbuckle Hill Open year round. Undeveloped campsites with spectacular views to the south and west. Hornbuckle Hill is on the ridge west of the Sacramento River on FR 90 (West Side Road). There's a spring about 1 mile west, below the road.
Water Canyon Open year round. Some good spots for camping and horse camping, close to several trailheads. FR 164 is paved to the mouth of the canyon.
Wills Canyon Road Open year round. The canyon sports several good spots for camping and horse camping. This is an ideal area for hiking and mountain biking on the many old railroad grades that wander through the area. There are numerous springs in the canyon as well as a small live stream. 4WD vehicles are not recommended above the junction with Hubbell Canyon (but trail bikes okay). Wills Canyon Road (FR169) angles WSW from FR 164, west of the junction with NM 130. The road is fair in dry weather but can be muddy and bad during the winter, early spring or when wet. The road ends at Trail 9277.
Karr Canyon Open year round. Undeveloped campsites in canyon about 2/3 mile both north and south of Karr Canyon Picnic Area. Road south of picnic area is rough. Heavily used, especially on summer weekends. Karr Canyon is on FR 63 between FS 82 and FR 6563
Benson Ridge Open year round. Many undeveloped campsites in the area. Area is especially popular for hunting and snowmobiling in season. Benson Ridge area is criss-crossed by a system of old logging roads.
Alamo Peak Road Open year round. Several undeveloped camp areas good for RV camping. Alamo Peak Road is a paved road off Scenic By-Way 6563. The popular Rim Trail (T105) intersects this road.
West Side Road Open year round. Elevation about 7,000'. Numerous undeveloped campsites but very few water sources near the road. West Side Road is FR 90 from NM 82 at High Rolls to FR 537 at Hornbuckle Hill (30.1 miles). There are no other connecting roads on or off this road. The north half is an all-weather gravel road. The south half is very bad during the winter and when wet.
Grapevine Canyon Open year round. Elevation 5,000'. Very heavily used in hunting season. A very large open concrete storage tank supports a population of carp and maybe some bass on land owned by City of Alamogordo. Entrance road leading east from Highway 54 requires permission from officials at Ft. Bliss, Texas. This road may be closed at times as a result of missile testing on McGregor Range.
Dry Canyon Open year round. The steep road going to the hang-gliding platform on top of Horse Ridge starts in this canyon. Good, open, temperate canyon for camping and target shooting. Dry Canyon is located south of NM 82 between mile marker 5 and mile marker 6.
Mill Ridge Open year round. Mill Ridge is a favored hang-gliding point on the District. Projected landing zone is in the desert off the Forest. Access from truck escape ramp at mile marker 5 on NM 82. Access road is rutted, rocky, and steep, requiring a high clearance vehicle, preferably 4WD.
James Canyon Open year round. 6 sites with picnic tables, grills, and one group ramada among scattered pine trees. James Canyon Campground is on US 82, about 2 miles northwest of Mayhill.
Forest Creek Open year round. A nice, flat, grassy area with some trees and lots of wildlife in the area. On NM 130, go south from Mayhill for about 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Miller Flats Road, FR 212. Continue on FR 212 for about 2 miles. On the right is a sign for Bible Canyon.
Bear Canyon and Bear Canyon Dam Lake area is a dry lake bed. You'll see deer, turkey and smaller wildlife, birds, and a few wildflowers. This is a popular spot with duck hunters in the fall. Tent camping is available at Bear Canyon Dam. It is NOT possible to take a trailer up to the dam area. There are no turn arounds and no pull off areas. At the switchback in Bear Canyon, a trailer can be pulled off the road and parked among the trees. Go south on NM 130 from Mayhill to the junction with NM 24. Turn onto NM 24. Within a quarter mile after crossing the Rio Penasco, you will see the old Bear Canyon Store. Bear right on FR 621.
Top of Denny Hill Open year round. This is primarily a pull-off area. You may see all kinds of wildlife in this area while hiking around. From Mayhill go south on NM 130, turn onto NM 24 and ascend Denny Hill. As you cross the cattle guard at the top of Denny Hill, there is a pull-off area beneath some trees.
Hoosier Canyon Open year round. Some flat areas suitable for camping. The fall sees great leaf colors in the canyon. Follow NM 130 southwest from Mayhill along the Penasco River to the junction with NM 24. Turn onto NM 24 to NM 521 (there is a sign for Weed - Sacramento). Turn on NM 521 and go through Weed and Sacramento, to FR 64. Continue on FR 64 for 6 miles to Hoosier Canyon (FR 5959).
Bear Slide This very popular camping area with several flat places suitable for RV vehicles and tents, is open year round. Go west from Sacramento on FR 64 following the Agua Chiquita Canyon, about 11 miles to the junction of FR 64 and FR 255, then cross the Aqua Chiquita Creek. FR 255 leads you to the top of the ridge to junctions of FR 171 (Perk Canyon), and FR 5600 (Monument Canyon). FR 255 continues down Jim Lewis Canyon. All of these canyons have some very nice dispersed camping areas.
Barrel Spring / Sand Spring Open year round. Near the junction with FR 539, there is a flat area suitable for camping with trees, and you'll probably see some wildlife around. From Sacramento, go west on FR 64 following the Agua Chiquita Canyon for about 13 miles.
Prestridge Hill/Hay Canyon Open year round. Hay Canyon Spring is a favorite spot in this area. There are some flat areas nearby nestled among the trees for camping and watching the wildlife. RV's limited to 16'. From Mayhill go south on NM 130 past the NM 24 turnoff for about 4 miles. At the road sign for Wills Canyon, turn south onto FR 164, about 1/2 mile, turn south again onto FR 541. This road goes up over Prestridge Hill and intersects with FR 257 at Hay Canyon.
Burnt Canyon Open year round. In the curve there is enough room for 4 or 5 camp trailers. This is a wooded area and you'll probably see some wildlife. Go east on US 82 out of Mayhill for 2 miles; turn north onto FR 607 (the Carr Gap Road) for about 3 miles, then turn right.
Camping on the Guadalupe Ranger District
General Information

Open Year Round. Primitive roads are not passable when wet. There are no developed Forest Service campgrounds on the District, but free camping is permitted anywhere except: private land, livestock and wildlife watering areas, administrative sites, and Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area. On private land, permission must be obtained by the owner before camping. RV Camping must be in self-contained units on National Forest system land. The Queen Café and RV Park located on NM 137 in Queen, NM has a campground with water and electrical hook-ups. There is no gasoline available on the District or at the Queen Café and RV Park.

*Water is available at the Guadalupe Administrative Site Information Board.

Daytime temperatures tend to be HOT in the summer time. Temperatures vary the rest of the year, but are mostly pleasant. Nighttime temperatures drop below freezing in the winter.

The wind is the most active in March, but can create an additional chill factor all year round. July and August are typically the rainiest months.

Always be prepared for changing weather conditions!

Both Carlsbad and Artesia are approximately 50 miles from the eastern boundary of the District. Out here you'll want to have proper clothing and camping gear.

Bring plenty of water and food for you and fuel for your vehicle.