Lincoln National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Lincoln National Forest, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Lincoln National Forest and user-submitted reviews.
$15 - $30 / night
"Very beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico."
"I like heat and live in New Mexico. Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning. "
"Well managed KOA and short driving distance from White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest."
"In direct contrast to the White Sands backcountry camping which offers absolutely zero thrills and access to luxuries, the White Sand KOA is a great place to stay for those wanting some of the comforts"
"04/15/22 service road 568, Lincoln National Forest, NM
Friday night/Good Friday
I found this camp on a suggestion from a local waitress at Big Daddy’s."
"You can get as far away from main roads as you need. There are infinite spots on this road. It’s quite long and the road conditions aren’t all that bad, so anyone can access it."
"This is a quiet area tucked away in Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far from Cloudcroft, NM so it's easy to resupply on water, snack, etc."
"Went 12/28-12/30 and the actual campground area was packed the whole time even with it being 20-30 degrees outside. Extremely windy and most areas only get an hour or two of sun."
"The good: beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site, plenty of room."
"Good little spot away from traffic. Had some snow coverage in February that made everything look beautiful. Definitely a good stop!"
$28 / night
"Beautiful area near town. Site is quiet (minus the host's generator) and there is a nice, short trail surrounding the site."
"We chose this campground for the view but also because the hosts at the Pines campground were bizarre about rules...like when we went for a hike on the little Fir trail in the area, they got upset with"
$32 / night
"I have seen mostly upper New Mexico and well when I found this area in comparison that or anything else near El Paso, I was more than a bit confused as to where I was."
"A very beautiful campground within about 6 miles out of Cloudcroft New Mexico. This is dispersed camping. Amenities include water, vault type toilets, picknic tables, fire rings, and a camp host."
"Lincoln National Forest is a little slice of heaven. Rick and Gale are the new owners and have worked hard over the winter to make lots of improvements to the property."
"Just can from Midland Tx where it was around 98, today at Cool Pines RV Park 72° at 3pm in the afternoon. Very friendly staff and are definitely practicing social distancing."
"Lower Karr Canyon campground is about 6 miles from the main highway at High Rolls, NM. The last 2 miles or so being rather rough dirt."
"You just have to look around to find the best one. Be aware of others though. We did have a family show up and start shooting guns in the area without any concern for others around them."
"This was a lovely campground near Cloudcroft, NM. It is located in the Lincoln National Forest. We really enjoyed our couple of days at this location."
"We visited pSleepy Grass in May 2021 and it was an amazing campground fairly close to the town of Cloudcroft, but secluded enough to feel like the middle of an alpine forest."
ScoutQuiet off the path. Gorgeous views clean restroom and showers
GuideOne of our favorites. Room for big rigs prior to road intersection pretty rough beyond that. Able to get our 31’ class C with no issues other than unevenness. The good: beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site, plenty of room. The bad: rocky unlevel sites, local dude that drives in daily maniacally to smoke his cigar then speeds off.
TravelerOne of many campgrounds in the Cloudcroft area. Tents and RVs mixed. No hook-ups. Dump and showers for a fee at top camp known as Overflow which is a gravel parking area but handles large rigs the best.
TravelerThe accommodations were great and the views were beautiful. Would definitely come back.
ScoutA fantastic spot to relax for a few days and soak in nature. Stunning cliffs rise to the east, with a wide-open valley stretching beyond. The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful. Facilities are decent—nothing to complain about. Strong cell service with both Verizon and T-Mobile. Great location for day trips to the mountains or White Sands. The open sky also makes it perfect for slope setups
ScoutBeen camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!
ScoutI have great experience here. You can try geometry dash - a fast-paced game for everyone
TravelerOddly this popped up in my feed as a late 4th of July choice. Good God, no. I like heat and live in New Mexico. Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning.
Cooler times of the year, like mid-winter, I do recommend the area, particularly Dog Canyon, a great winter or early spring hike.
But for mid-summer? No, unless you're an infernal demon it's a bit warm those months.
RangerWe 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 road dead ends at a fenced private property so we turned around and just got a pull off spot for the night since we camp in the truck but there's tons of tent spots. Some rock made fire pits around. And we didn't see anyone around us for miles. Tons of bullet shells everywhere. It was almost errie how quiet it was! Camped here on our way down to the White Sands.
Road isn't bad, but we are in a higher up Toyota Tacoma. Poor cell signal for T-Mobile but Verizon did!
Camping near Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for exploring nearby attractions, there’s something for everyone.
Camping near Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of adventure and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy all that this beautiful area has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Lincoln National Forest?
Lincoln National Forest offers a variety of camping options. Sleepy Grass Campground near Cloudcroft provides developed sites close to hiking trails and town amenities. Deerhead Campground offers a true forest experience with no cell service for those seeking to disconnect. For dispersed camping, options include Bluff Springs in a forested valley with creek access and Forest Service Road 64 at elevations over 9,400 feet where elk sightings are common. Other established campgrounds include Saddle Campground with water and toilets, and Lower Karr Canyon Campground with basic facilities. Most campgrounds are located in the Cloudcroft area, providing a cool mountain retreat in summer months.
What should visitors know about Lincoln National Forest before camping?
Lincoln National Forest offers surprising diversity with lush, forested landscapes that contrast with the surrounding desert terrain. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping showcases this beauty with its creek, valley views, and proximity to Cloudcroft for supplies. Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 reaches elevations over 9,400 feet where temperatures drop significantly at night, even in September. Prepare for limited or no cell service throughout much of the forest. Bring sufficient water and firewood if dispersed camping, though fallen wood can be collected in some areas. The forest provides excellent access to regional attractions including White Sands National Park. Wildlife sightings, particularly elk, are common in the quieter areas of the forest.
Are there RV camping facilities in Lincoln National Forest?
Yes, Lincoln National Forest offers excellent RV camping options. Moonflower Meadows RV Resort provides a quiet retreat adjacent to the forest, making it a perfect base for exploring nearby attractions. Cool Pines RV Park offers an extended stay option with recent improvements by new management. Additional RV-friendly options include Cloud Climbing Railroad Cabin and RV Park with on-property hiking trails and fruit trees, Slow Play RV Park (formerly Circle B) with clean facilities and a dog walking trail, and Mountain Meadows RV Park which features hookups, laundry facilities, and recreational amenities. Most RV parks in the area provide convenient access to both the forest and nearby towns for supplies and services.
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