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Monjeau Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Reaching Monjeau Campground means navigating a narrow, switchback road with steep grades that has turned away more than a few drivers. Most passenger vehicles and short-wheelbase trucks handle it without trouble, but trailers have no realistic path up, and anything larger than a Class B motorhome will struggle to fit or level out. No reservation is required, and camping is free.

The campground sits near the top of Monjeau Peak within campgrounds near Lincoln National Forest, where the elevation brings consistent wind, especially at night. Campers with lightweight or freestanding tents should plan for real gusts rather than occasional breezes. The reward for that exposure is open sightlines in every direction, along with a short hike to a fire lookout tower that gives a full 360-degree view across the surrounding landscape, including forest recovering from past wildfires. Reviewers have spotted wild horses, deer, and signs of elk or bear in the area.

The setup is minimal: roughly five walk-in tent sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and a vault toilet. No water is available on-site. Chad D. notes the campground is "on a mountain peak so it gets pretty windy," which is worth factoring into gear choices. Pets are not permitted. For campers who prefer flush facilities and a lower-elevation site, Skyline Campground sits less than a mile down the road.

The campground is open mid-May through mid-September. If the drive and wind exposure fit your setup, the mountaintop position makes for a distinctive overnight.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsMonjeau Campground is located in New Mexico near Ruidoso

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

33.430786 N
105.73161 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
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    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 11/14/25

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 11/14/25

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Monjeau Campground

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5.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Campers regularly cited stunning views and quiet atmosphere at this free mountain peak campground. Many mentioned challenging narrow switchback access roads unsuitable for large RVs or trailers. Numerous guests pointed out windy conditions and basic vault toilet facilities.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Nov. 17, 2022

Beautiful.

Beautiful area under the lookout. Pretty quiet but limited areas you can go, at least for at RTT. Can be windy and cold at night. Road up there was somewhat rough but I think any car can make it without issues.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Noah K., November 17, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2022

Monjeau Campgroud great view

This was an amazing spot to camp. We have a Tacoma with a rooftop tent and the road leading to the campsite wasn’t an issue at all. In fact, most vehicles are more than likely to make it if they aren’t too long or pulling a trailer. We didn’t go all the way to the peak because it was windy but the site we stopped at had picnic tables, a bathroom with pit toilets, and the ground was level. Our view was beautiful! There were also some horses roaming around. Oh and it’s free! Can’t beat it.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Elissa E., April 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Elissa E., April 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Elissa E., April 24, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2021

Stunning

I have never seen so many stars. It is a beautiful scene, there are a lot of trees burned down but we saw wild horses, deer, and massive dropping either of Elk or Bear.

Highly recommend. If you prefer a campground with clean bathrooms, there is the Skyline campground at a lower altitude.

  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Hasan A., April 10, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2018

Amazing view that will leave you breathless... because it is at 9,500 feet!

The drive up is full of narrow switchbacks that you just hope and pray nobody else happens to be coming around at the same time as you are. There are some quite steep grades as well. Whoever set the speed limit at 30 miles per hour must have been a daredevil before they found employment as a civil engineer. However the road is decent enough that most any vehicle can navigate it. I had zero issues in my truck with a camper in the bed. A class B could get in there as well, but there's no room for anything bigger and good luck getting level. There is absolutely no room for trailers at all. There are only about 5 walk in tent sites that I saw with fire rings. The only amenity is a vault toilet. Be aware that you are on a mountain peak so it gets pretty windy. Your $40 Wally World tent will probably beat you to death in the night. Make sure you have a sturdy setup. If you can deal with all that though, the view is unsurpassed. Its just a small hike up to the tower where you can see in every direction forever it seems. The forest in the area is just starting to recover from wildfires a couple of years ago, but the contrast between the burnt old and the growing new is beautiful.

Note: a previous review stated the tower was closed, but it was back open by my visit in Sept 2017.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Chad D., June 11, 2018
  • Review photo of Monjeau Campground by Chad D., June 11, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Monjeau Campground?

Monjeau Campground offers a rustic camping experience with minimal amenities. The campground does not have clean bathrooms on-site (these are available at the lower elevation Skyline Campground instead). There are limited developed camping spots suitable for various setups including rooftop tents. The campground is primitive in nature, so come prepared with all necessary supplies including water. The high-altitude location can be windy and cold at night, so pack accordingly with warm gear even in summer months.

Where is Monjeau Campground located and how do I get there?

Monjeau Campground is located at high elevation near Monjeau Lookout. To reach the campground, you'll need to navigate a winding mountain road with narrow switchbacks and some steep grades. The road features challenging sections where you'll want to proceed cautiously, especially around blind corners. While the access road is somewhat rough in places, most standard vehicles can make the drive without issues, though it's not recommended for long vehicles or those pulling trailers. Take your time on the ascent, as the posted 30 mph speed limit may be ambitious for most drivers given the terrain.

What attractions and activities are near Monjeau Lookout and Campground?

The main attraction at Monjeau is the spectacular night sky - the stargazing is phenomenal due to the high elevation and minimal light pollution. During the day, visitors can explore the lookout area for panoramic views (though it can be windy at the peak). The surrounding forest offers opportunities to observe wildlife, including deer and wild horses. While some areas show evidence of past forest fires, the natural recovery process creates an interesting landscape. Hiking opportunities exist in the vicinity, but they may be limited in some directions. The high-altitude setting provides a unique ecosystem to explore and photograph.