Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico encompasses several camping options from developed campgrounds to dispersed camping areas throughout its mountainous terrain. Forest Road 568 near Cloudcroft serves as a popular dispersed camping corridor with numerous established pull-offs suitable for tents and smaller recreational vehicles. Developed options include Saddle Campground and Sleepy Grass Campground, which operate seasonally from May to September, offering amenities like toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. Several dispersed camping areas require no reservation or fee, while established campgrounds typically charge fees and may require advance booking during peak periods.
The forest's elevation significantly affects camping conditions, with most sites situated between 7,000-9,000 feet. This elevation creates cooler temperatures year-round, with nighttime lows that can drop significantly even in summer months. Dispersed camping roads like FR 568 feature varying conditions that may challenge larger vehicles or those with low clearance. Several campgrounds close during winter months due to snow and freezing temperatures, with the most reliable year-round options located at lower elevations or in nearby communities like Alamogordo. Cell service varies throughout the forest, with spotty coverage in more remote areas. A visitor noted, "The road is a little rough but flattens out as you go up the hill. After the fork, sites are big enough for a van or larger Class B but that's it."
Campers frequently mention the abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, with multiple reports of elk and deer sightings throughout the forest areas. Sites along Forest Road 568 receive consistent praise for their accessibility while still offering a sense of seclusion. Reviews indicate the area can become crowded during holiday weekends and summer months, though midweek visits often allow for more solitude. The forest's mixed conifer ecosystem provides natural shade at most camping areas. According to one review, "We got a nice little private spot under a huge tree. There was lots of really nice people staying at the sites at the entrance, but if you go further you can find some privacy." Proximity to the town of Cloudcroft (typically 5-10 minutes by car) allows campers to access supplies and services while still enjoying a forest camping experience.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
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$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."
"nearby within walking distance. Sugar Pines RV Park is 10 minutes away and offers dump and fill for $10."
"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!"
$32 / 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."
"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."
"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."
"No problem navigating in our 43ft motorhome --plenty of dispersed sites in a gravel loop off the paved entrance road to Oliver Lee Memorial Park. Sites were about 50 yards or so apart (see video)."
"Mine had a stone border created by previous guests which was pretty cool. Great views in every direction, but many sites will be exposed to wind. Was pretty gusty when I was there."
TravelerGreat Place, Wonderful Hosts, Super clean and well keep sites set only for Class A & Super C pull in, full hooks up, nice club house, every site as gas fire pit and two metal rocking chairs provided. Every site has wonder views overlooking the valley. Most have pine tress providing shade. Level concrete pads
GuideShowed up at dusk and still spots available. Roads a little rough but doable in any vehicle. Great option for White sands.
RangerNice mountain views... Easy access... No facilities... No garbage where I parked... About 10 other RVs in the area... One playing loud music... the risk you take on these dispersed camping sites... Price is right... free... State Park 1 mile up road was full... Nice mountain views and sunset. Close to Alamogordo.
ScoutWe booked here last minute to avoid choosing a dispersed camping spot. The hosts were friendly and accommodating. The sites do have a fire barrel, picnic table, power, water, sewer, and good Wi-Fi. However, we were in a pop up with no toilet, and the facility only offered a single porto potty for the whole place. It was better than what was available in the National Forest, but still a bit surprising.
GuideThis is a large cul de sac with camping areas around it. There is room for a couple RVs and dozens of tents around. There are nice treed areas that have fire rings. The Karr Trail is a nice scenic trail back to a small private ranch.
TravelerFirst time camping in Ruidoso, NM and soooo happy we randomly chose this spot. We had 3 kids with us age between 3-10, lots of room to run around and adventure. Amazing views with deer sightings and wild horses. Dirt/rock roads, Fire rings at almost every campsite. Make sure to keep your trash out of sight from critters at night. Beautiful sightings everywhere here. 10/10 recommended!! Definitely will be back!
GuideA good bit of people here but everyone is spread apart. It’s very quiet for the amount of people here. They have plenty of places to park though
GuideStayed at the end of February into March, Saturday-Friday. Totally secluded under the pines with lots of hiking (and wildlife!) nearby within walking distance. Sugar Pines RV Park is 10 minutes away and offers dump and fill for $10.
ScoutGreat spot that we have stayed at a couple times on our way to Moab.
Lincoln National Forest campsites range from 7,000 to over 9,000 feet elevation, creating significant temperature differences between day and night throughout the year. Winter closures affect most higher elevation camping areas from October through April, with overnight temperatures frequently dropping below freezing even in summer months. Road access varies greatly between campgrounds, with some roads becoming impassable after rain or snow.
Hiking at lower elevations: The Bluff Springs area offers scenic waterfall views and multiple trail options. A camper noted, "We took a short 1-mile hike from the Bluff Springs trailhead to the Willie White trailhead. There are longer hikes too."
Wildlife viewing: Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping offers excellent elk sightings, especially at dawn and dusk. "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," reports one visitor.
Astronomy: Clear night skies make stargazing exceptional at higher elevations. At Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, campers report exceptional night viewing: "The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful. Facilities are decent—nothing to complain about."
Cooler summer temperatures: The high elevation creates a cool escape from regional heat. A camper at Cool Pines RV Park shared, "Just can from Midland Tx where it was around 98, today at Cool Pines RV Park 72° at 3pm in the afternoon."
Large camping spots: Many dispersed camping areas offer spacious sites. At Deerhead Campground, "The sites are spaced nicely where we didn't feel crowded even though the campground was probably 90% capacity."
Accessibility to supplies: Cloudcroft provides convenient resupply options for extended stays. A camper mentioned, "About 5 min drive to main road and 8 minutes to cloudcroft. There was no trash, and also no amenities."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically by carrier and location. At Saddle Campground, visitors report good coverage, while at other locations: "Cell service barely exists, on and off 1 bar AT&T."
Road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging and may require high-clearance vehicles. "The road is a little rough but flattens out as you go up the hill. After the fork, sites big enough for a van or larger Class B but that's it."
Weather variability: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. One camper reported, "It stormed much of the day and night but Sunday morning dawned clear and we took a short 1-mile hike."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience occasional disruptive sounds. Near Alamogordo, a camper warned, "However there is a train close by that blew the horn very loud all throughout the night. Woke me up at 1am, 3am, and 5:30 am."
Kid-friendly trails: Sleepy Grass Campground offers special accessible trails: "This campground also has a special trail that was created for blind and deaf children, so it has signs with sensory additions."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy animal sightings throughout the forest. "We saw plenty of deer and even an elk," mentioned a visitor to Sleepy Grass Campground.
Size restrictions: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Large rigs beware...We went to the end of the road to find out that there was no way to turn our 29 ft trailer. We had to go in reverse about 1/4 mile to find a place to turn around."
Water pressure issues: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. At Alamogordo/White Sands KOA, a camper warned, "water pressure is really high at around 155 psi. So definitely bring a regulator."
Limited hookup sites: Full-service RV sites are primarily available at private campgrounds. "We paid extra for a site with swing, paver patio, table and chairs. Site was very large, private, and well worth the extra $."
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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