Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lincoln National Forest

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.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Lincoln National Forest (94)

    1. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Sunspot, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (236) 682-6567

    $15 - $30 / night

    "I like heat and live in New Mexico.  Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning. "

    "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."

    2. Alamogordo / White Sands KOA

    37 Reviews
    Alamogordo, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-3452

    "Well managed KOA and short driving distance from White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest."

    "They had a dog park, laundry room, clean showers and bathroom. The pools was closed but looked perfect! Thanks for such a great experience!"

    3. Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-2551

    "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."

    4. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Sunspot, NM
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    "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."

    "We arrived in Cloudcroft NM around 7pm on Thursday the 6th got some last minute supplies at all sups gas station and headed to the ranger station just down the 130 Cox Canyon Hwy to get a map of the park"

    5. Forest Rd 568 Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-2551

    "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!"

    6. Saddle Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    $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"

    7. Deerhead Campground — Lincoln National Forest

    7 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    1 mile

    $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."

    8. Cool Pines RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Mayhill, NM
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (281) 620-4329

    "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."

    "with a large dog park and a new building for activities."

    9. Lower Karr Canyon Campground

    6 Reviews
    Lincoln National Forest, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    "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."

    10. Sleepy Grass Campground

    5 Reviews
    Cloudcroft, NM
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 94 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Lincoln National Forest

465 Reviews of 94 Lincoln National Forest Campgrounds


  • K
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Moonflower Meadows RV Resort

    Quiet and Secluded

    This RV resort is hidden away near Ruidoso and adjacent to Lincoln National Forest.  Small and quiet away from the traffic but close enough to all the sights and attractions in the area.  This resort makes a perfect home base.

  • Penélope F.
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Slow Play RV Park

    Wish we could have stayed longer!!

    Under new administration now its call Slow Play RV Park. Friendly and helpful owners. They will make sure your stay is as smooth as possible. Clean & quiet site with a dog walk trail.

    Highly recommended if you are visiting Lincoln National Forest.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2018

    Deerhead Campground — Lincoln National Forest

    Is this really New Mexico?

    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. Yes, it is a forest, but still I wasn't ready for how forest-like and amazing it was.

    Driving out you have no cell signal at all. The roads are winding and you see a lot of livestock, then out of no where deer, big deer and elk! It is like a different planet from everything else and the deeper into Cloudcroft you get the more and more it starts looking more like Colorado than anything you would assume would be New Mexico.

    The campground is no different! Large shade trees standing tall above the site, the ground below looking like it was cut from a different cloth than anything from all the miles you travel in any direction from this location. The temperatures itself even is different, cooler by about 15 to 20 degrees.

    The camp is small and while they have a posting for RVs I don't see how they could easily fit in the spaces I saw. There are minimal amenities such as drinking water and vault toilets but no dump stations or hook ups.

    It was very quiet when we were there although there were other campers, the sounds of everything around seemed to muffle any noise they could be making.

    TIPS:

    • Don't plan on contacting anyone, staying here is a truly unplug and unwind experience.

    • Explore some of the hiking in the area. Lincoln National Forest has nearly 50 trails so there is something for everyone from short day hikes to long treks for backcountry camping and hiking.

  • D
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Awesome Dispersed Camping Spot

    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. You can camp right next to a creek and the valley makes for some great views. This area is basically everything you can ask for when dispersed camping. It's quiet and other than the occasional hiker, nobody else is around. There's plenty of hiking and just good times to be had. A quintessential camping experience.

  • L
    Jul. 26, 2018

    Sleepy Grass Campground

    Small and convenient campground

    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. It is near several hiking trails and convenient located close to town in case you needed anything. This campground also has a special trail that was created for blind and deaf children, so it has signs with sensory additions. It was a really sweet spot. The sites themselves were spacious and very reasonably priced. If you want to be further away from people, pick one of the first sites you see, otherwise the sites are clustered in groups. We would definitely go there again.

  • Rock E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2025

    Mountain Meadows RV Park

    Good place to stay with views

    The best qualities of the campground: -awesome views -hookups -grill area and games + sleds to borrow -laundry -close to Lincoln National Forest and white sands and pistachioland!

    Things that could maybe be a little better: -more shade on campsite (ours had a very tiny tree) -more privacy between sites

  • J
    Mar. 19, 2021

    Alamogordo / White Sands KOA

    Great KOA. Four stars because of the wifi.

    Well managed KOA and short driving distance from White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest. This KOA is in the city so there is some traffic noise and there is a train that passes through at night. They have sleds to borrow for White Sands which saves you the hassle and cost of getting a sled at the White Sands park. Wifi was unreliable, but cellular internet worked fine on our phones.

  • Jacob  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2022

    Lincoln NF - Forest Service Road 64 - Dispersed Camping

    Awesome dispersed camping

    We tent camped in mid September 2022 in the Lincoln National Forest south of Cloudcroft, NM off Forest Service Road 64. Over 9,400’ and it got cold at night. Saw one elk and heard more bugling. Plenty of wood to make a fire. Nice forest. We stayed at a spot on a meadow about 4-5 dispersed sites south of Sunspot Highway. Good times.

  • Timothy C.
    May. 27, 2023

    Cloud Climbing Railroad Cabin and RV Park

    Perfect little gem

    Super friendly owners. A beautiful and picturesque location in the Sacramento mountains. Easy in and out just a few miles from the village of Cloudcroft in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. On property hiking trail, and an excellent common areas. Fruit trees abound, and picking fruit is allowed in season. They also have a cabin with multiple rental rooms. Full RV hookups and wifi at very reasonable rates. It is close to the road, but traffic is minimal at night. They are open year round!


Guide to Lincoln National Forest

Explore the beauty of Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico while enjoying the company of your furry friends. There are several pet-friendly camping options that cater to both you and your pets.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

  • This campground offers spacious sites with stunning views, making it a great spot for you and your pet to relax and enjoy nature. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park allows pets, so you can bring your dog along for the adventure.
  • With amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, you can easily set up a comfortable base for your stay.
  • The park features a variety of hiking trails, perfect for exploring the outdoors with your pet.

Dog owners appreciate the Alamogordo / White Sands KOA

  • Located close to local attractions, this well-reviewed KOA provides a welcoming environment for pets, ensuring they feel at home during your stay. Alamogordo / White Sands KOA has a friendly atmosphere that dog owners will love.
  • The campground includes amenities like a laundry facility and a market, making it convenient for all your needs while traveling with pets.
  • Enjoy the nearby White Sands National Park, where you can take your dog for walks and explore the unique landscape together.

Tips for camping with dogs near Lincoln National Forest

  • Always keep your dog on a leash while exploring the trails to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers.
  • Consider visiting Boot Hill RV Resort, which is known for its friendly staff and proximity to various attractions, making it a great base for pet-friendly adventures.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, especially during hikes, to keep them hydrated and energized throughout your camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lincoln National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lincoln National Forest is Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 65 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lincoln National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 94 dog-friendly camping locations near Lincoln National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.