Temperatures in the Mayhill area vary dramatically by elevation, with Lincoln National Forest campgrounds typically 15-25 degrees cooler than nearby desert locations. Situated between 6,500-9,000 feet, camping near Mayhill, New Mexico offers visitors unique ecological transitions where desert plants gradually give way to alpine species. Camping options range from primitive sites with no facilities to developed campgrounds with modern amenities.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Bluff Springs offers access to one of the area's most accessible waterfalls. "Been camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!" notes a visitor to Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping, indicating its popularity. The waterfall area provides a natural gathering point with multiple hiking options extending from this location.
Wildlife viewing: Wild horses and elk populate the mountains surrounding Mayhill. A camper at Forest Road 568 Dispersed Camping reports, "We drove in around 10pm and the small town of Cloudcroft was beautiful for anyone needing a place to stop before heading into the forest. We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road." The best viewing times are typically dawn and dusk.
Mountain biking: Forest roads throughout the Sacramento Mountains provide varied terrain for riders of all levels. "The road through the forest was enough to take your breath away but little did we know that where we camped would be the peak of our week-long trip," describes a visitor at Forest Rd 568 Dispersed. Multiple connected forest service roads create loops of varying difficulty.
What campers like
Temperature relief: The elevation provides natural air conditioning during summer months. A camper at Cool Pines RV Park noted, "Just came from Midland TX where it was around 98, today at Cool Pines RV Park 72° at 3pm in the afternoon." This temperature difference makes the Mayhill area popular with visitors escaping summer heat from Texas and southern New Mexico.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "The star gazing is fantastic," reports a camper at The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, while another at Forest Rd 568 Dispersed mentioned, "At night it was absolutely silent. You can get as far away from main roads as you need."
Diverse terrain: The transition zone between desert and alpine environments creates unique landscapes. "This is not a concrete snowbird parking lot. It's a campground with utilities. Comfortable and quiet for a reasonable price," explains a visitor at The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, highlighting the natural setting even at developed sites.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Forest road quality depends on recent weather and maintenance schedules. A camper at Deerhead Campground reported, "The roads are winding and you see a lot of livestock, then out of nowhere deer, big deer and elk!" Consider vehicle capabilities when selecting camping locations.
Limited supplies available: Bring essentials as nearby towns have minimal services. "Bring all your supplies though- not much in town except for cafe, convenience store and hotel," advises a camper at The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park.
Weather can change rapidly: Mountain storms develop quickly, particularly in summer. "Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms & showers in the summer months," notes a Deerhead Campground visitor. Pack rain gear and extra layers regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Stream access: Children enjoy water features at several campgrounds. At James Canyon Campground, a visitor mentioned, "There is a small footbridge that goes over a creek bed" and another camper noted, "It was one of the first stops in and we were pleasantly surprised. Easy access and a nice paved road, bathroom, fire ring, and picnic table."
Wildlife education opportunities: Regular animal sightings create natural learning experiences. "There was a small waterfall that we could see and hear from our campsite and a creek for kiddos to play in. Its a free range area so cows are all over the place which was fun to see," reports a visitor to Bluff Springs.
Temperature planning: Pack for temperature swings even in summer. "We had our son and 2 big doggos and a RTT we just wanted to rest for the night but it ended up being awesome for a little pull off. Very clean and nice only about 4-5 spots with car parking," shares a James Canyon camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Levelness varies significantly between campgrounds. At 16 Springs, a visitor reported, "The road to get to 16 springs is not paved all the way and it can be narrow at certain points. Our Minnie Winnie handles turns very well and it had no problems getting there."
Size restrictions matter: Many forest roads have tight turns unsuitable for larger rigs. "This was a beautiful location, near the town of Cloudcroft. We should have just stayed in the first location we found though. We went to the end of the road to find out that there was no way to turn our 29 ft trailer," warns a camper at Forest Rd 568 Dispersed.
Check turnaround availability: Dead-end forest roads may lack suitable turning space. "Larger than vehicle should stay at beginning of road," advises another Forest Rd 568 visitor, while someone else noted, "It was gated and locked about 1.5 miles in no room to turn a rig around there."
