I had been planning on camping in White Sands National Monument, but got there right after the main gates had been locked. Frantic to find a campsite with daylight diminishing and thunder clouds on the horizon, I found this sweet camping area only about an hour from White Sands. Right outside the small town of Cloudcroft, this campground offers pine-filled sites just a short drive from the New Mexican desert. I came looking for a campsite (read no reservations) last June 2015 and found this cool campground. Because I arrived late I didn’t interact with the camp host. I was one of only a few campers, probably because I was there midweek. I had the lower section of the campground all to myself. I arrived during a wicked lightning storm so I spent the first hour or so just enjoying the view before setting up my tent on a very well established tent pad. I made a quick dinner before turning in. The bathrooms (vault toilets) were very clean, came with hand sanitizer and actually smelled nice! I think that was the hosts doing. I slept very comfortably in what were perfect camping temperatures. I packed up in the morning before move on further east. The only concern I had about the campground was how close it was to the road. There weren’t many other people up the mountain, but because the main road loops all the way around the campground I could imagine it being a bit noisy with passing traffic. This campground is very close to Cloudcroft and a short drive down the mountain to Alamogordo. While I didn’t have time to enjoy the mountains it appeared as though there was plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities. The campsite is about and hour or so from White Sands National Monument which I visited after departing the campground. I got great morning shots after fresh wind and rain cleared much of the tracks in the dunes (check pics and video). Overall this site is a great hideaway in the desert (especially for those who are looking for a place to throw a tent for the night) but may be a bit noisy on a busy weekend if you’re planning on hanging out longer.